Tuition Assistance Available for National Guard Spouses and Dependents

Kalamazoo, Mich - Tuition assistance for spouses and dependents of Michigan National Guard members is now available for qualifying Kalamazoo Valley students. This eligibility is made possible by an expansion to the Michigan National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program (MINGSTAP) which has extended spouses and dependents use of the program's funds.

Among those eligible are spouses who are lawfully married to a National Guard member as well as dependents such as children, stepchildren and legally adopted children who have obtained a high school diploma, a high school equivalency certificate, or who are 18 years of age or older. Eligible dependents must use the assistance before turning 26.

"As a former National Guard member, myself, I know that it takes the entire family to be successful in the military," said Charles Heidelberg, Kalamazoo Valley veteran services coordinator and academic career pathway advisor. "I'm so excited to see that the state of Michigan is expanding benefits to our guard members' families, and I look forward to working with those family members at Kalamazoo Valley."

The legislation credited for the program's expansion is Public Act 33 of 2023, which was recently signed into effect by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer earlier this year. This gives guard members the ability to grant one or more relatives the use of their allocated tuition funds at state approved educational institutions.

Not only does the program's expansion encourage recruitment and retention, but also helps enrich the lives of National Guard members and their families. Funds can be used toward training and certificate programs as well as associate, bachelor's, or master's degrees. For recipients to qualify, service members must be active and in good standing according to applicable eligibility criteria.

Click here to learn more about MINGSTAP. For questions about attending Kalamazoo Valley, contact Heidelberg at or call 269.488.4970.