Higher Learning

Military Tuition Assistance (TA)

• A minimum GT score of 100, a minimum TABE score of 10.2 or a MASP completion certificate
• No disciplinary actions or pending disciplinary actions
• Eligible for promotion

If a service member meets these requirements, they may start the TA application process. If they do not meet these qualifications, please contact our office.

Applying
First time applicants should do the following:

1. Visit the Education Office for information on TA and selecting the best academic program for their educational and career goals.
2. Apply and be accepted for a degree or certificate program. Not all programs are approved for TA. Contact the Education Office to confirm program’s eligibility.
3. Obtain a copy of their degree/academic plan from the school with the required courses.
4. Log into MarineNet in EDGE at www.marinenet.usmc.mil. Click on Catalog and search for “VOLED”. Enroll and complete the College 101 course. Email a copy of your score page and Certificate to your local Education office or print them and hand-deliver them to your local Education office.
5. Read, print, and sign the Statement of Understanding.
6. Log in to WebTA and upload signed Higher Education Preparation Course certificate, signed Statement of Understanding, and a degree/academic plan.
7. Contact the Education Office to review and open access to TA applications.
8. Apply for TA for the specific courses and term requested.
9. Submit an application for Command approval. The Education Office will review and provide a TA voucher after the Command approves. Be sure to allow time for the approval process as TA cannot be authorized after the start date of the class.
10. After approval, print the voucher from WebTA and sign and deliver it to the school to authorize the tuition payment.

TA can only be approved for courses within 60 days and needs to be applied for each term. To apply for TA for another term, applicants should repeats steps 8-10. Only 2 classes are funded at a time. Only 1 class is funded for first time users, applicants with a GPA below 2.5 or those who failed their last class. For detailed instructions on how to log on and use WebTA CLICK HERE

Payment
Service Members may receive up to $4,500 per fiscal year (1 Oct-30 Sep). There is a cap of $250 per semester hour, $166.67 per quarter hour, and $16.67 per clock hour. Failed classes (D, F, W or I at bachelor’s level) will require repayment. For full details, see the current MCO and most recent MARADMIN on TA or contact your Education Office.

Waivers for repayment are available for students who involuntarily withdraw due to circumstances beyond their control. Please contact the Education Office for consideration.

Restrictions

• TA cannot be used to pay for flight training
• TA cannot be used by those in duty-under-instruction status or in an officer accession program involving full time instruction at a civilian institution
• TA will not be authorized for the same course previously funded by TA
• Up-front TA funding is not provided for courses if the school’s drop/add period or late registration date has passed

For more information, contact the Education Office.

TA DECIDE

TA DECIDE is an information and comparison tool to help make informed choices regarding schools and education programs. The TA DECIDE engine provides high value, actionable information on educational costs and outcomes to compare educational institutions that may be under consideration. To learn more about TA DECIDE CLICK HERE

GI Bill & Veterans Affairs (VA) Programs

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has education programs to advance the education and skills of active duty Service Members such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill. While the Education Service Specialists are not VA counselors, they can assist in using VA tools and applying for the GI Bill or other programs. For more information about VA education programs, visit www.benefits.va.gov. To apply for benefits go to va.gov.

Additional Funding Resources

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Scholarship Finder at www.fastweb.com and www.petersons.com

For additional resources and scholarship information, contact your local Education Office.

POST 9/11 GI BILL

Marines who are looking to pay for their education through the POST 9/11 GI Bill will receive 100% tuition assistance after 36 months of active duty. Basic eligibility is established with 90 aggregate days of service, and those Marines participating will receive assistance for tuition, fees, books, and supplies. You may be eligible for a monthly housing stipend while on campus, and there's even an opportunity to transfer entitlements to a dependent.

MONTGOMERY GI BILL

Through the Montgomery GI Bill, Marines receive tax-free assistance toward a college degree. By contributing just $100 per month for one year, you can enroll full or part time. Funds are available after 24 months of active duty, and they can be used for studies at vocational and technical schools, or colleges and universities.

The Education Offices are available to proctor exams for school and work. Standardized testing is available at no cost for active duty. Tests offered include:

Military Testing

• Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT) (active duty ASVAB)
• Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB)
• Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB)
• Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT)
• Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE)

Standardized and Education Testing

• College Level Examination Program (CLEP) through TCL
• DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) through TCL

DANTES Reimbursable Testing

• Graduate Records Exam (GRE)
• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
• Praxis I and II
• General Education Diploma (GED)
• American College Testing (ACT)
• Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)

The Leadership Scholar Program (LSP) helps exceptional Marines who want to pursue their education at highly selective schools after they transition out of the Marine Corps, with an emphasis on junior enlisted Marines.

Services

• Assists Marines with college or university applications, essays, and interviews
• Counsels Marines on academic preparations and other aspects of the admissions process
• Partners with non-profit student veteran and academic associations such as:
• Common Application
• National Association of College Admission Counselors (NACAC)
• National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
• Posse Veteran
• Service to School (S2S)
• Stanford Vet Accelerator
• Student Veterans of America
• Warrior Scholar Project
• Negotiate with college and university partners for more favorable admissions conditions. 

Contact us for more information and to receive personalized one-on-one support.