(1) A member may apply for the EBP if he is an active member of the Montana army national guard or the Montana air national guard. Members of the active military, inactive national guard (ING) , individual ready reserve (IRR) or active guard and reserve (AGR) are not eligible.

(2) An applicant must be a graduate of an initial active duty for training (IADT) or a commissioning source.

(3) Applicants must be in a pay grade of enlisted - E1-E7, warrant officer - WO1-WO2, or officer - O1-O2.

(4) Applicants must have attended all scheduled unit training assemblies and scheduled annual training periods or have authorized absences. January 1 through June 30 establishes eligibility for the fall semester; July 1 through December 31 establishes eligibility for the winter semester as well as pre-approved summer courses. Members who cannot attend unit training assemblies due to sickness, injury, or some other unforeseen circumstance beyond the individual's control will be given the opportunity to perform equivalent training in accordance with regulations in order to maintain eligibility for the EBP. Prior service enlistees or appointees may gain eligibility if they have joined the Montana army national guard or air national guard prior to the start of a semester and meet all other eligibility requirements. The enlistment or appointment date as entered on the individual's contract or commissioning document will be used to determine eligibility. The first day of class at the college/university establishes the start of the semester.

(5) Applicants must have an expiration of term of service (ETS) /expiration of service (EOS) or service obligation date beyond the semester for which the EBP is being requested. Individuals who extend or reenlist for the EBP must do so for six years and provide appropriate documentation of extensions with their application for the tuition benefit.

(6) Applicants must not be flagged for favorable personnel actions.

(7) Applicants must have been accepted and matriculated for admission or enrolled at a Montana institution of higher learning, either part-time or full-time, in a first award undergraduate degree-granting program.

(8) Applicants may not apply for the EBP prior to college/university acceptance.

(9) Applicants must be in good academic standing according to definition of the institution. Additionally, the enrolled service member must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better.

(10) If employer reimbursement for tuition is being received, the EBP award shall be reduced by the amount of such education reimbursement.