MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO -- Marines, drop your packs and double time to the Lifelong Learning Center at Building 111 here—you have only two days left to cash in your tuition assistance for fiscal year 2008.
Command signed TA forms must be submitted to the Lifelong Learning Center no later than 4:30 p.m. Monday to pay for classes that start before October, which is when fiscal year 2009 TA funds become available.
“If students still have funds for this year, they should use them,” said Annie Villalon, education service specialist. “It’s free money for their education.”
Tuition Assistance is limited to active duty service members and offers $4,500 to students per fiscal year. The assistance covers up to $250 per semester hour, $166.67 per quarter hour and $16.67 per clock hour.
“The Marine Corps offers the money to improve the competence of Marines and improve the personnel base of the Marine Corps,” said Villalon. “A well-educated Marine is a well-rounded Marine.”
Villalon added that service members have an advantage over civilian students when pursuing a degree. Besides the free tuition, the student’s military training and experience can also account for school credit.
The education specialists can send students’ official training records sent to their college counselors for review. Depending on the school, service members usually get credit for physical and health education.
“TA gives service members an edge on their education,” said Villalon. “With a combination of TA and credit earned from military training, service members can get their (associate) degree in two years.”
The Lifelong Learning Center offers the College Level Examination Program and hosts two community colleges.
“The (Lifelong Education Center) is really convenient for me,” said Lance Cpl. Aaron Bohanner, combat illustrator, Combat Camera. “I don’t know the local area, and I don’t have a car. Leaving the base for education would be difficult.”
To sign up for TA, students must undergo a brief from the Lifelong Learning Center. Applicants with a general technical score below 99 will be required take the Adult Basic Education Test which covers common knowledge.
For more information on TA, visit the Lifelong Learning Center in Building 111 or call (619) 524-1275/6865/8158.
Marines can also find academic advice at www.usmc-mccs.org/education/mta.cfm, and sailors can find advice at www.navycollege.navy.mil.