Boots to Books: Your Guide to Military Education Benefits

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Since the first GI Bill® passed in 1944, the U.S. government has been providing educational benefits to its military personnel, helping them earn a college degree after completing their service. President George W. Bush signed a new bill in 2008 to make it even easier for veterans to access a college education.

These benefits can help open up new opportunities for veterans and make education more affordable. But understanding what the different programs entail can be confusing. Learn what is available to you by exploring the tables below.

*GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Army Education Benefits
Name Description Eligibility Benefits
Army Tuition Assistance The Army Tuition Assistance program provides financial assistance for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of a soldier’s professional and personal self-developmental goals. Soldiers are only eligible after completing one year of service following graduation from Advanced Individual Training. Soldiers must have 10 years of service to receive graduate-level assistance if any undergraduate study was funded by benefits. $250 per semester credit hour, or $166 per quarter credit hour, and $4000 per fiscal year.
Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges Army Department SOCAD is the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) degree program for the Army. It consists of colleges that offer associate and bachelor’s degree programs on or accessible to Army installations worldwide. Colleges form networks in which each college accepts credits from all the others. SOCAD guarantees that you and your adult family members can continue toward completion of your degrees even though the Army may transfer you several times. There are also degrees available by distance learning that require no classroom residency. Active service members, spouses and college-age dependent children of service members are eligible to receive SOC DNS Student Agreements as they pursue degrees in the SOC Degree Network System. Varies
The Army College Fund The Army College Fund (ACF) is an enlistment incentive option designed to aid in the recruitment of highly qualified soldiers for critical or shortage Military Occupational Specialties (MOS). The ACF supplements the basic Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) entitlement. Have no prior service. Enlist in the active Army from July 1, 1985, to present. Have a high school diploma at the time of entry to active duty. Have an Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score of 50 or higher. Enlist in a specified MOS designated under the ACF program offered at the time of enlistment. Enroll and participate in basic MGIB. Enlist with ACF as part of the enlistment agreement. Varies

Navy Education Benefits
Name Description Eligibility Benefits
Navy Advanced Education Voucher Program The Advanced Education Voucher Program is aimed at superior performers who have the potential for continued upward mobility, and specifically targets assistance for postsecondary, Navy-relevant degree programs. The program, which is part of the recently announced Professional Military Education Continuum, supports baccalaureate and master’s degree completion in designated areas of study through off-duty education. The Naval Education and Training Command’s Advanced Education Voucher program is designed to provide advanced education opportunities for senior enlisted personnel E-7 through E-9. $6,700 per year for undergraduate programs (four academic year limit). $20,000 per year for graduate programs (two academic year limit). Total program costs will not exceed $40,000.
Navy Tuition Assistance The Navy Tuition Assistance program provides financial assistance for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of a soldier’s professional and personal self-developmental goals. Tuition assistance is available to both naval officer and enlisted active duty personnel and some naval reservists on continuous active duty. View the link for further eligibility information. $250 per semester credit hour, or $166 per quarter credit hour, and $4000 per fiscal year.
SOCNAV SOCNAV is the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) degree program for the Navy. SOCNAV consists of colleges that offer associate and bachelor’s degree programs on or accessible to Navy installations worldwide. SOCNAV colleges form networks in which each college accepts credits from all the others. Active service members, spouses and college-age dependent children of service members are eligible to receive SOC DNS Student Agreements as they pursue degrees in the SOC Degree Network System. Varies
Seaman to Admiral Program This commissioning program allows seamen to gain skills through educational opportunities to become commissioned officers. Sailors receive a top-notch education and the leadership skills they need to become officers. Sailors must be recommended by a commanding officer and be in active service duty. There are academic eligibility requirements that are listed on the program website. Up to $10,000 per year.

Air Force Education Benefits
Name Description Eligibility Benefits
Air Force Tuition Assistance The Air Force Tuition Assistance program provides financial assistance for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of a airmen’s professional and personal self-developmental goals. All airmen are eligible after a certain amount of service. $250 per semester credit hour, or $166 per quarter credit hour, and $4500 per fiscal year.
Community College Air Force America’s largest community college, the CCAR offers Air Force personnel the opportunity to pursue a quality degree while on active service. All Air Force personnel are eligible. Varies
Air Force Aid Society Program This program provides grants to selected sons, daughters and spouses of current and former Air Force personnel. Selected sons and daughters of active duty, Title 10 AGR/Reserve, Title 32 AGR performing full-time active duty, retired, retired reserve and deceased Air Force members; spouses (stateside) of active duty members and Title 10 AGR/Reservists; and surviving spouses of deceased personnel are eligible. $2,000 for all qualifying applicants.
Air Force Aid Society Spourse Tuition Assistance Program The purpose of the Spouse Tuition Assistance Program (STAP) is to provide partial tuition assistance for spouses of Active Duty airmen or officers, who accompany members to overseas locations and will be attending college programs. The focus of the program is on the completion of degree or certificate programs that provide increased occupational opportunities for spouses. Spouses of active duty airmen or officers who accompany members to overseas locations. The program provides tuition assistance (TA) at a rate of 50 percent of unmet tuition charge per course, with a maximum of $1,500 per academic year and a term maximum, which is calculated by dividing the annual maximum ($1,500) by the number of terms within the academic year.

Marine Education Benefits
Name Description Eligibility Benefits
Marine Deployed Education Program The purpose of the Marine Deployed Education program is to provide undergraduate-level courses to afloat Marines, MCB Camp Pendleton and MCAS Cherry Point developed MOUs with academic institutions. Qualified Marines with the afloat units provide the instruction. Afloat Marines, MCB Camp Pendleton and MCAS Cherry Point developed MOUs are eligible. Courses are paid at 100 percent of the cost of tuition per current TA policy, using tuition assistance funds.
SOCMAR SOCMAR is the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) degree program for the Marine Corps. SOCMAR consists of colleges that offer associate and bachelor’s degree programs on or accessible to Marine installations worldwide. SOCMAR colleges form networks in which each college accepts credits from all the others. Active service members, spouses and college-age dependent children of service members are eligible to receive SOC DNS Student Agreements as they pursue degrees in the SOC Degree Network System. Varies
Marine Tuition Assistance The Marine Corps Tuition Assistance program provides financial assistance for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of airmen’s’ professional and personal self-developmental goals. All marines are eligible after a certain amount of service. $250 per semester credit hour, or $166 per quarter credit hour, and $4500 per fiscal year.
The Marine Corps College Fund This fund offers alternative funds for marines seeking a college education. Similar to tuition assistance in providing all funding necessary. Active duty marines who have competed a contract of at least 48 months are eligible for the fund. Up to $50,000.
Marine Corps Spouse Tuition Aid Program The Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) offers STAP to your spouse if you are an active duty service member stationed in an overseas (OCONUS) location. Your spouse may be a full or part-time student studying toward a vocational certificate or an undergraduate or graduate degree. Spouses of active duty marines who accompany members to overseas locations. $1500 per year for undergraduate programs ($300 per semester max). $1750 per year for graduate programs ($350 per semester max).
VADM This program offers funds to the spouses and dependents of Marine personnel who are currently full-time undergraduate students. To apply, you 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. You 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.

Coast Guard Education Benefits
Name Description Eligibility Benefits
Coast Guard Tuition Assistance The Coast Guard Tuition Assistance program provides financial assistance for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of airmen’s professional and personal self-developmental goals. All marines are eligible after a certain amount of service. $187 per semester credit hour, or $125 per quarter credit hour, and $2200 per fiscal .
SOCCOAST SOCCOAST is the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) degree program for the Coast Guard. SOCCOAST consists of colleges that offer associate and bachelor’s degree programs on or accessible to Navy and Marine installations worldwide. SOCCOAST colleges form networks in which each college accepts credits from all the others. Active service members, spouses, and college-age dependent children of service members are eligible to receive SOCCOAST benefits. Varies
CG Foundation Education Grant (CGFEG) The CG Foundation Education Grant helps service members with expenses related to education. Recipients must be active duty Coast Guard members to be eligible for $500 in reimbursements per year. All active and reserve E-3 to E-9 currently serving on active duty orders of at least one year are eligible. The maximum reimbursement per calendar year is $500, payable for textbook and miscellaneous educational expenses. View the link for a list of commonly claimed expenses and other exceptions.
Lisa Cook Reed Memorial Spouse Education Grants The SPEG is open to spouses of active or reserve Coast Guard personnel on any type of active duty in pay grades E-3 to E-9. Eligible individuals can receive $500 per calendar year based on availability of funds. Spouses of active and reserve Coast Guard personnel within the E-3 to E-9 pay grades. $500 per calendar year, dependent on availability of funds.
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) The CMGA assists almost everyone associated with the U.S. Coast Guard. Assistance is provided through counseling, short-term interest-free loans, financial grants, referrals and other related means. This assistance includes everyday essentials such as emergency housing and medical needs that are beyond the individual’s ability to meet at the time the assistance is requested. Active, retired, civilian, reserve, auxiliary, PHS officers and chaplains, CGMA employees, immediate family members, surviving family members. Up to $250 per year. Does not cover tuition expenses, but can be used to pay for ASVAB, CLEP, SAT and other study guides.
Additional Education Assistance The Coast Guard offers employees and dependent spouses the opportunity to take CLEP, DANTES and other tests at no cost. Active employees of the Coast Guard and dependent spouses. Opportunity to take CLEP, DANTES and other tests at no cost.

Starting a New Chapter With Tuition Assistance

With all of the benefits and programs available, military personnel and their families can pursue new educational opportunities and brighten their futures. For definitive information on the best options for you, contact your branch’s educational assistance office. Also keep in mind that you must choose a university that accepts full military benefits. Once you have discovered the benefits available to you and chosen the university that best meets your needs, you will be able to take the next step toward achieving your education and career goals.

At Touro University Worldwide, we strive to create a strong educational environment for military students and their families. We participate fully with the Yellow Ribbon Program and accept any and all GI Bill tuition assistance programs. We also offer several unique service member and veteran benefits to help make using your benefits as easy as possible. Touro even has a tuition discount for potential students who are active duty, veterans or their families. To learn more about a university that goes above and beyond to serve military students, visit our Military page today.

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