Marine Corps Education Programs
The Marine Corps Lifelong Learning Programs provides policies, procedures and funding for education programs & components on Marine Corps bases & installations. Below is a breakdown of a variety of programs and benefits that are designed to further the education of personnel enlisted in the US Marine Corps. Marines can be eligible for more than one benefit.
The Military Academic Skills Program was developed to improve A Marine’s competency in basic levels of general educational studies. At no cost to the active duty, Enlisted, Service Member, they will receive a general review of basic level reading, writing, grammar, communication and mathematics skills. The purpose of this program is to prepare a Marine to retake the Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT) and improve their Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) scores. This program is ideal for Marines that would like to switch their job classification but require a higher score than what they had previously earned.
If you are Active Duty, the Marine Corps’ Tuition Assistance Program will pay up to 100% of your college tuition. TA can pay up to 100% of tuitions and fees. Payments are not to exceed: $250 per Semester credit/unit hour or $166 per quarter credit/unit hour. A maximum of 16 semester credits/units can be taken within a fiscal year or 24 quarter credits/units. TA will also cover published, mandatory fees that are directly required with course enrollment.
The Marine Deployed Education Program can provide undergraduate level courses to Marines deployed on ships. Qualifying Marines, stationed onboard participating afloat units can enroll in courses that are provided by Park University and Central Texas College. The academic institutions provide qualified instructors to teach courses while deployed. Marines receive instruction according to the deployment schedule and Tuition Assistance policy.
The Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART) is an official record that documents a service member’s training and qualifications for the purpose of recommending college credit for the military training and education they have received. SMART transcripts are recognized by the American Council on Education.
The Marine Corps General Library Program plays a vital role in the educational & professional lives of Marines and their dependents. The program provides academic and leisure reading materials to Marine installations through sixteen general libraries and eleven branch libraries. An Integrated Library System and General Library websites provide online access to additional resources and services.
The Admiral Mike Boorda Seaman-to-Admiral Educational Assistance Program offers grants and/or interest-free loans of up to $2,000 a year to eligible active duty Sailors & Marines. Service Members must be accepted to the following programs to qualify: Enlisted Commissioning Program, Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program, and Medical Enlisted Commissioning Program.
The Service Members Opportunity Colleges (SOC) degree program for the Marines (SOCMAR) consists of colleges & universities that offer associate and bachelor’s degree programs that are on or accessible to Navy and Marine installations worldwide. SOCMAR schools form networks where each school accepts credits from other participating schools.
The Navy College-at-Sea Program (NCPACE) is part of the Navy College Program. NCPACE gives Sailors & Marines the opportunity to earn a quality education while on sea duty assignments. Both undergraduate and graduate courses are available through NCPACE.
The Marine Corps College Fund recipients can receive up to $50,000 for college. Marines must have completed a minimum of 48 month Active Duty contract. The Marine Corps College fund can be combined with the Montgomery GI Bill.
