An Overview Of Marine Corps Education Benefits
Depending on an individuals unique situation, his or her available Marine Corps education benefits will differ. For instance, some bachelors degree programs provide a source for commissioning as an officer in the Marine Corps. Therefore, these benefits are available to certain individuals prior to actually becoming a Marine. On the other hand, many Department of Veterans Affairs education programs available to Marines are typically used after military service.
Due to this variety, we have divided the Marine Corps education benefits discussed in this article into distinct categories. First, well discuss the VA education benefits available to all Marines. Next, well address education during service, outlining the voluntary education programs Marines can complete in their free time. In the final three sections, well discuss education benefits pertaining to careers as Marine Corps officers.
How Do I Get Started With Mycaa
Eligible spouses can establish a MyCAA Account by visiting the MyCAA website. Once spouse profile information is provided, MyCAA will verify spouse DEERS benefit eligibility. Eligible spouses will be allowed to create their Career and Training Plan and request FA when they are within 30 days of course start dates. Additionally, spouses are responsible for applying to their selected school or program and enrolling in each course included in their approved MyCAA Career and Training Plan.
How Do I Get These Benefits
Youll need to apply.
There are 2 main GI Bill programs offering educational assistance to survivors and dependents of Veterans.
The is for children and spouses of:
- Active-duty service members who died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001, or
- Members of the Selected Reserve who died from a service-connected disability on or after September 11, 2001
The Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance program offers education and training to qualified dependents of Veterans who:
- Are permanently and totally disabled because of a service-related condition, or
- Died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition
Read Also: How Much Is Berkeley College Tuition
Us Marine Corps Tuition Assistance Benefits
Advertiser Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the authors alone. This article may contain links from our advertisers. For more information, please see our .
Education and training rate among the most cherished military benefits. The most well-known program, of course, is the GI Bill, which most military members in good standing qualify to receive after serving a short period on active duty. But the GI Bill is actually more valuable to most service members after they separate from the military.
The good news is each service offers Tuition Assistance benefits to their active duty members. And the benefits are quite goodI used tuition assistance benefits to take classes on active duty while I was in the US Air Force.
Between Tuition Assistance and testing out of classes, I was able to achieve my degree in less time than I could have if I would have taken classes at a traditional college.
The US Marine Corps offers similar Tuition Assistance benefits as the Air Force . However, there may be some slight differences on the administrative side.
For example, the Air Force just made a few changes to their TA program, as Airmen are now required to receive official permission from their supervisor to take classes. Lets take a look at the current Tuition Assistance benefits for Marines.
% College Tuition Assistance
The National Guard can potentially cover every single dollar of your college tuition.
It does depend on what school you decide upon, however, the National Guard will commit up to $18,000 over four years. It averages approximately $4,500 per year based on the commitment.
When you consider tuition expenses alone, the National Guard college pay program should cover your tuition in full as long as you are not attending an extremely prestigious, and expensive school.
You can learn more about the college tuition assistance program here.
You May Like: Where Can I Sell My College Books
How Much Does The Military Pay For College
The military not only pays up to 100 percent of college tuition while you serve on active duty, the military also offers the GI Bill to use for college up to 10 years after leaving the service.
The four military service academies: the U.S. Military Academy , the U.S. Naval Academy , the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy cover costs for all four years for tuition, books, board, medical and dental care. In addition, youll get paid a monthly stipend.
What Does The Gi Bill Cover For Military Spouses
Military members may transfer their Post-9/11 GI Billbenefits to a spouse or dependent. It usually cover tuition, housing, books, and supplies. Then, the Department of Defense either approves or denies the request.
The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs also extends other benefits. These education benefits may go to dependents and survivors. They are also called Chapter 35 benefits. There are two main programs.
Another is the Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance program. It offers education and training to qualified dependents of Veterans.
Veterans who are disabled in a permanent and total way because of a service related condition or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service related condition.
Dont Miss: Who Buys Back Used College Textbooks
You May Like: How Much Are Wcws Tickets
What Are The Different Statuses Of The Application Process
- Prospect This is a student who has expressed some interest in applying, and fills out the basic information on an academy-related website.
- Applicant Student who actually begins the application process.
- Candidate Once your application shows good enough numbers or youve filled out enough of your application. Once you are a Candidate, you are required to fill out an application by a certain date.
- Appointee Student who has been offered an appointment to one of the academies. As Ellis say, when a student has reached this status, he/she can now do the Happy Dance.
Ellies Tip: Students will be doing a disservice to themselves by only applying to one academy. Picking rank order is advisable.
Veterans Total And Permanent Disability Discharge
The Veterans Total and Permanent Disability Discharge is available to release veterans of their loans. You need to have a service-related disability thats documented by the Department of Veterans Affairs in order to qualify and be deemed permanently disabled. Most loans are eligible for forgiveness through this program.
How to Apply for Veterans Total and Permanent Disability Discharge:
Follow this link to begin the application process, or apply with a paper application.
Read Also: Cfcc Winter Classes
Additional Resources For Military Education Support
If youre considering attending school during or after your service, plenty of questions will come up along the way, even beyond how the military pays for college. Your main source of information for all things related to military education is the US Department of Veterans Affairs. These links to the military branches and other sources regarding the military may also be helpful:
It can be challenging to reintegrate into civilian life after service, and the military pays for college as a way to help with the adjustment. The decision to enlist comes with loads of responsibility and life changes, but if you are absolutely sure the military is for you, rest assured that your academic dreams are possible too!
If you want to get a college degree but remain unsure about joining the military, consider going for other affordable options in higher education: you can look into community colleges, public colleges, trade schools, or cheap universities around the country.
The Reserves And National Guard
If you are interested in serving your country to help pay for college but you dont want to do it on a full-time basis, the reserves and National Guard are options to consider.
The interesting thing about being a weekend warrior is that you may qualify for many of the same educational benefits that the full-timers receive. For example, you may qualify for military tuition assistance and the GI Bill.
If this sounds like an option you might be interested in, definitely take the time to talk to a recruiter to find out what the current military educational benefits are for those in the reserves and National Guard.
You May Like: Miller Motte College In Greenville Nc
Active Duty Health Professions Student Loan Repayment Program
Health professionals who are also on active duty can qualify for $40,000 per year toward your student loan debt for up to 3 years if youre serving in the dental, medical, allied health, nursing, or veterinary corps while on active duty. You can also be eligible for up to $50,000 in total loan forgiveness over 3 years if youre in the reserves for those professions.
What Loans Qualify for Active Duty Health Professions Student Loan Repayment?
- Stafford Loans
- Supplemental loans for students
How to Apply For Army Student Loan Repayment:
Contact an Army recruiter to learn how to apply, find out whether youre eligible, and learn more about what active duty service in the Army entails.
College Benefits For Veterans
The original GI Bill of Rights sent millions of World War II veterans off to college in the 1940s and ’50s. Since then, generations of vets have benefited from that program and its successors.
Today, there are multiple versions of the GI Bill:
- The Montgomery GI BillSelected Reserve , described above
- The Montgomery GI BillActive Duty
- The Post-9/11 GI Bill
Still in the process of being implemented is the Forever GI Bill , which further expands many benefits.
Veterans who were honorably discharged may be eligible for either the Montgomery GI BillActive Duty or the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The VA states that veterans with multiple periods of service who are eligible for both must choose one or the other and that their decision is irrevocable.
However, a recent court ruling says eligible vets do not have to choose between the two bills. If that decision holds, it could allow a qualifying veteran to receive benefits from one GI bill for the maximum of 36 months and then use the other GI bill to receive additional months of benefits. The decision is pending a possible appeal by the VA, so stay tuned.
Don’t Miss: Colleges Accepting Applications For Fall 2020
The National Military Family Association Scholarship
The NMFA scholarship can be used by military spouses for both education assistance and employment purposes. The NMFA awards selected individuals with an average of $500 to $1,000 to achieve your education goals. You can use the award for any education purposes from degrees, certifications, licenses, to technical degrees.
This program typically offers applications to spouses twice a year so make sure to look both at the beginning of the year and the end.
Q Your Wife Used Mycaa To Help With An Associate Degree Tell Us More About That
The MyCAA Scholarship is a military program that provides up to $4,000 of tuition assistance to military spouses. In order to qualify, the military service member must be in pay grades E-1 to E-5, W-1 to W-2, or O-1 to O-2.
Once you know what program you would like to pursue at a participating institution, the process is very easy. The only thing we wish we would have done differently was start sooner to get the full benefit of $4,000. If the military service member is promoted to a rank above the requirements, then you will no longer qualify for the MyCAA Scholarship.
Recommended Reading: Sell Old College Books
Are Military Dependents Eligible For Education Benefits
Individuals enrolled under the Post 9/11 GI Bill can transfer their benefits to their dependents. If youve served at least 90 days of active duty since September 10, 2001, then you or your dependent can already receive tuition and fees, in addition to a stipend for housing and books.
Family members who have survived a military members passing after September 10, 2001, may also be eligible for the Fry Scholarship, which offers the same benefits.
Chapter 30 Montgomery Gi Bill
Persons who entered active duty after July 1, 1985, and had their military pay reduced by $100 per month for 12 months qualify for this program. This is a non-refundable contribution. These persons also must have served a minimum of two years, earned a high school diploma or its equivalent either prior to or during the qualifying enlistment and must have an honorable discharge.
Recommended Reading: Does York College Have Dorms
Usmc Tuition Assistance Coverage
Tuition Assistance rates remain steady in general and comparable among the services. However, keep up on current costs and suspensions of the DoDs budget . Different from the other branches, the USMC does cover fees connected to tuition and these must be noted in your education plan. No equipment, test-taking fees, distance learning fees, textbooks or housing costs will be covered. The following are current rates of assistance:
- This breaks down to $250 per semester hour or $166 per quarter hour and can add up to 100% tuition and fees covered.
Career and technical education certificate programs must be accredited and recognized by the DOE and VA, as well as have a signed MOU with the DoD. All Marines are eligible for ONE certification/non-degree program covered by TA during their career. For additional skilled trade maintenance, consult the USMC COOL Program.What does TA not cover? As per MARADMIN, it is the following:
- Non-tuition fees including but not limited to costs associated with room, board, distance learning, equipment, supplies, books/materials, exams, insurance, parking, transportation, admissions, registration, or fines.
- Non-credit courses, training programs, CE credits, and workforce development programs.
How Much Money Does The Navy Reserve Pay For College
Did you know that the Navy Reserve offers college scholarships? The amount of money that the Navy Reserve pays for college can vary depending on the program you choose, but there are a number of different options available. Ready to learn more? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about the Navy Reserves scholarship programs.
How much does the Navy Reserve pay for college tuition?
If you are interested in getting your education while serving in the Navy Reserve, you may qualify for a number of scholarships and grants. You may also be eligible to receive additional funding from your state government through the Montgomery GI Bill Kicker Program. This is a separate program offered to reservists and is typically worth between $200 and $350 per month. To qualify, you must have served continuously on active duty for at least 24 months, pay an enrollment fee of $1,200, and be a full-time student.
The military will generally pay for college tuition. The Navy and Marine Corps reserves do not have a tuition assistance program, but the Federal government offers a variety of aid programs to active duty members. The Navy and Marine Corps Reserve offer the same education programs and financial aid as their active duty counterparts. Applicants must complete an online Tuition Assistance application to receive these benefits. The application process is easy and straightforward.
Don’t Miss: Cuny Act Code
Are Interviews Involved In The Application Process
There are two or more primary interviews. One is with your Admissions Liaison Officer . You will be asked questions like, Why do want to attend the academy and Why do you want to serve?
Ellies Tips: Whatever you do, DO NOT say you would like to attend in order to get a free education. Remember the this is NOT a free educationacademy grads will be responsible to give years of service to their country in exchange for that education. If you are not keen on doing that, DO NOT APPLY!
Coaches and interviewers are very experienced in this process and they will see right through you if you have any doubts and are being at all untruthful. Ellie offers a list of questions on her blog to help students prepare for these interviews
Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps
Marine Corps Recruiting …” alt=”Corps honors its top recruiters for FY05 > Marine Corps Recruiting …”> Of note, the Marine Corps does not have its own ROTC program. Instead, it partners with the US Navy and its program.
Qualified high school students apply for a scholarship and, if accepted, spend four years at university training in its NROTC program. From an education perspective, this scholarship means that NROTC students attend university for free. However, by accepting this benefit, these students commit to a minimum of four years of service following graduation.
Furthermore, students attending NROTC must also attend the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School during one summer at university. Upon successful completion of both OCS and their bachelors degrees, students commission as Marine Corps officers.
You May Like: Do Morticians Get Paid Well
Private First Class Basic Marine Active
Enlisted Marines usually earn a promotion to Private First Class after six months of service. As of 2020, the basic Marine active-duty pay for Private First Class Marines is $1,942.50 per month or $23,310 per year. The basic Marine active-duty pay for a Private First Class ranking does not vary based on your number of years of service.
Join The Military & Drastically Cut The Cost Of College
1.) Join the armed forces after high school and work on your college degree while youre on active duty.2.) Start college as a civilian , graduate with your associate or bachelors degree and become a military officer.3.) Serve in a military reserve branch or the National Guard while youre in college.4.) Apply as a student in a military academy.
Recommended Reading: Test Out Of College Classes