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Education
Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART)
Marine Corps and Navy Personnel do not have an official document certifying military training and education for college credit. In some instances, Marines enroll in college classes that duplicate military education and training. An official transcript endorsing and recommending college credit for military education and training and recognized by the American Council on Education (ACE) would increase college credit awarded, enhance opportunities to complete a college degree and offset tuition assistance costs through increased college and university recognition of military schools and experience for credit.
The Marine Corps and the Navy are working on a joint project to develop an education transcript to document military education and training. This transcript will be endorsed by ACE and may be submitted directly to a college/university for college credit. ACE publishes the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services, the most widely accepted reference for college credit recommendations for service schools and experience.
The project is divided into four phases: Phase I (Design), Phase II (Development), Phase III (Implementation), and Phase IV (Operation). .
Transcripts for Marines and Sailors are currently undergoing validation. Upon certification by ACE of a transcript's validity, all Marines, active duty and reserve, will be able to request a copy at their local education center or via mail.
Marine Corps Tuition Assistance Program
Lifelong Learning (formerly Off-Duty Voluntary Education (VOLED)) was established in the early 1970s with the advent of the all volunteer force to offer financial and counseling assistance to servicemembers who elected to pursue further education. TA funds 100% of tuition costs for high school completion and 75% of tuition costs for post-secondary education from vocational certification through graduate study.
Funding privileges for TA for FY99 are as follows:
- High School Completion (100% up to $3500)
- Vocational/Technical Certificate (75% up to $3500)*
- Undergraduate Study (75% up to $3500)*
- Graduate Study (75% up to $3500)*
Tuition assistance will not exceed $187.50 per semester hour equivalent.
Last year nearly 21,000 Marines used TA to enroll in over 55,000 courses.
A strong voluntary education program aids in recruitment and retention, enhances the skills and value of our personnel while on active duty, and assists separating Marines in their transition to civilian life.
Marines apply for TA prior to enrollment, through their local base/station education center. I-I duty Marines apply through MARFORRES, New Orleans. Recruiters need to contact their district headquarters.
Officers using TA agree to remain on active duty for 2 years following the completion of the TA-funded course(s).
The FY99 TA policy may be found in MARADMIN 077/98.
Family Member Educational Assistance Programs
A family member tuition program is administered by the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society or NMCRS, based on financial need and paid for from their reserve funds, i.e., not the funds raised for emergency relief. Applications and awards are administered by NCMRS. Individuals should apply through the local NMCRS office. The telephone number is (703) 696-4960.
Spouse Tuition Aid Program (STAP): STAP is available to spouses of active duty Navy and Marine Corps personnel in OCONUS locations. The spouse may be a full or part time student studying toward a vocational certificate or an undergraduate or graduate degree. Undergraduate level of study has a per term maximum of $300 and a maximum per academic year of $1500. Graduate level of study has a per term maximum of $350 and a maximum per academic year of $1750. Students must apply prior to the start of each term.
VADM E.P. Travers Scholarship and Loan Program: Applicants must be the spouse of an active duty member or the dependent child of an active or retired member of the Navy or Marine Corps. The individual must be a full time undergraduate student at an accredited college or university. 1000 grants are awarded each academic year at $2000 each. Applicants are also evaluated for an interest-free student loan of up to $3000. The loan repayment begins within 30 days of award and must be repaid by allotment within 24 months. Application deadline is 1 March of each year. Late applications will not be considered for the scholarship, but will be evaluated for a loan.
For more information, visit the NMCRS website.
Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation
The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is a private, non-profit organization that provides scholarship opportunities for the sons and daughters of Marines for pursuit of higher education opportunities. Their toll free number is 800-292-7777.
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