Most people who enlist in the United States Military (any branch) are authorized to participate in the Montgomery G.I. Bill (MGIB). Under the MGIB, a military member's pay is reduced by $100 per month for 12 months (total of $1,200). In exchange, the MGIB will pay (for a full time college student) $935 per month, for up to 36 months of education (total MGIB education benefit of $33,660). See our article on the MGIB for more details.
The Army College Fund (ACF) is an enlistment benefit that adds to the MGIB. One cannot have the ACF without participating in the MGIB, as the two programs run hand-in-hand. For example, as federal law prohibits granting the college loan repayment program and the GI Bill for the same enlistment program, one who enlists and receives the college loan repayment program would not be eligible for the MGIB, and therefore, not eligible for the ACF.
The Army restricts the ACF only to MOSs (enlisted jobs) that are experiencing significant shortages. This list of jobs, and the amount of ACF offered changes all the time, based on the current needs of the Army. Usually, if one accepts the ACF, this will decrease the amount of enlistment bonus (if any) that may be offered for enlisting in that specialty.
One must contact an Army Recruiter or the Army jobs counselor at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) in order to find out current amounts, and which MOSs the Army is offering the benefit to.
The Army College Fund was approved by Congress as a test-program by Public Law 94-502, in Fiscal Year 1979. The Army and Navy adopted the programs permamently in Fiscal Year 1981. The Air Force does not have a college fund program (other than the MGIB and Tutition Assistance program which are available in all of the services).
The ACF is not a program for which an individual becomes eligible after entry on active duty. It must be included in the initial enlistment agreement. The program is not authorized for officers.
Soldiers offered the ACF as an incentive to enlist should have received documentation verifying entitlement to ACF on Department of Army (DA) Form 3286-66 which is part of the enlistment contract. Only certain MOS are authorized the ACF. The ACF is available for 2 year, 3 year and 4 year enlistments. Soldiers who enlist for greater than 4 years with the ACF option receive the 4 year ACF.
ACF must be earned. It is accrued monthly as long as the servicemember obtains and remains qualified for the MOS for which originally enlisted. As with the MGIB, the ACF will expire 10 years after the servicemember's last discharge or release from active duty.
Eligibility Requirements
The ACF is an enlistment incentive. Anyone offered the ACF must meet the eligibility criteria listed below:
- Have no prior service
- Enlist in the active Army from July 1, 1985 to present.
- Have a high school diploma at time of entry to active duty.
- Have an Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score (See ASVAB article) of 50 or higher.
- Enlist in a specified MOS designated under the ACF program offered at the time of enlistment.
- Enroll and participate in basic MGIB.
- Enlist with ACF as part of the enlistment agreement.
Forfeiting the ACF
- Servicemembers forfeit ACF eligibility for:
- Failing to obtain and remain qualified in the MOS for which individual enlisted.
- Failing to complete the minimum time-in-service requirements.
- Note: Anyone separating prior to completing his/her initial enlistment, provided that he/she meets the eligibility criteria to retain the MGIB (see MGIB article), will receive a pro-rated portion of the ACF.
