Pennsylvania National Guard Military Family Education Program (MFEP)

Together with the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, PHEAA administers this tuition assistance program for dependents (spouses and children) of PA Guard Members who enter into an additional 6-year service commitment with the Pennsylvania National Guard.

Am I Eligible?

To be considered for the MFEP, you must be:

  • A Guard Member:
    • Someone who completed an initial service obligation, on or after July 1, 2019, in the Pennsylvania National Guard and be eligible to reenlist in the Pennsylvania National Guard for a period of 6 years
  • A Family Member:
    • Someone who is a spouse or child of a Pennsylvania National Guard member who meets the above criteria and has assigned the benefit to the family member.
    • Someone who is enrolled in a degree or certificate-granting program of study at an approved Pennsylvania institution

How Much Can I Expect to Receive?

Program of Study Type Full-Time Attendance Part-Time Attendance
Undergraduates and Graduates

The lesser of:

  • 100% of the tuition plus technology fee at the institution where you are enrolled
    OR
  • The annual tuition rate and technology fee charged to a Pennsylvania resident at a state-owned university

The lesser of:

  • 100% of the tuition plus technology fee for a part-time course of study
    OR
  • The per credit tuition rate charged to a Pennsylvania resident at a state-owned university plus technology fee
  • The MFEP grant can be used for a degree-granting curriculum or certificate-granting, course of study, or training programs required for entrance into a specific career as determined by PHEAA at an approved PHEAA institution of higher learning for up to 5 academic years.
  • The PA Guard Member can assign the entire benefit to one dependent or a portion of the benefit to more than one dependent.
  • If you fail to honor the service commitment with the Pennsylvania National Guard, you must repay your total MFEP award amount, plus interest.

How Long are Dependents Eligible to Use MFEP?

  • A spouse can use the assigned MFEP benefit up to 6 years after the member’s separation from the PA Guard.
  • Children can use the assigned MFEP benefit before reaching 26 years of age.

How Do I Apply?

  • The Military Family Education Program will be accepting member enrollment in fall of 2019 for family members to use the benefit during the 2020-21 Academic Year. If you are a spouse or child of a PA National Guard member that has re-enlisted in an additional 6-year contract, please have the Service Member contact their unit for more information.
  • If you are not a Service Member of the Pennsylvania National Guard and want more information, go to the Pennsylvania National Guard website.