100% tuition reimbursement coming for SDNG members

South Dakota State University students who serve their communities, state and country while earning a degree will benefit from a new law that takes effect July 1.

The law provides 100% tuition reimbursement for members of the South Dakota National Guard attending South Dakota Board of Regents institutions and state technical colleges. They can be members of the South Dakota Army National Guard Unit or the Air National Guard Unit.

The change is the result of the 2023 South Dakota Legislature passing House Bill 1039, which was signed into law by South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem on March 16. Noem also included the tuition reimbursement increase in her budget address in December.

The new state benefit is paid after applying members’ federal tuition benefit, and the total federal and state benefit may not exceed 100% of the tuition cost. Students utilizing the benefit must pass with a C or better in their classes or the money is recouped.

The previous state tuition assistance for National Guard members attending a SDBOR institution was 50%.

“We have a workshop that we provide every summer to help out anyone and everyone who wants to come from the National Guard, who is coming to school, to help them file for their federal tuition assistance or state tuition assistance,” SDSU Director for Veterans Affairs Russ Chavez said.

“This helps us as a state. If we can keep students from heading out of state because the National Guard gives 100% tuition reimbursement, that’s a win,” Chavez said.

The increased coverage will provide another incentive for recruitment and retention in the Guard, Noem said during the bill signing in March.

“The members of the South Dakota National Guard are some of the strongest and bravest men and women in the country. They have proven that time and time again,” Noem said in March. “They’re the kind of folks we want to stay in South Dakota to earn an education, participate in our booming economy and raise a family. This legislation will help them to do just that.”