Military and Veteran Services

Marine Corps Tuition Assistance

The following information was found in several sites containing cited material about the program, and official existing SIUE documents.  Their information and citations can be found at the end of the document. 

Program Information

• Tuition Assistance (TA) is a benefit of up to 100% of tuition expenses and certain fees (specifics listed below) being paid to active duty servicemembers of the Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force, and Coast Guard, and select members of their subsequent reserves; the information above and below cover requirements and benefit information for both select reserve members and all active duty servicemembers. 
• NOTE: Each of the Armed Forces determine administration of TA, and each state may offer its National Guard servicemembers state funded education incentives based on state guidelines and eligibility; experiences with Tuition Assistance through the National Guard in another state may not apply or be available in Illinois.

Important Information

1. TA will not be processed during the last two weeks of the fiscal year.
   1. All requests must be processed no later than Sept. 15, or approved by CO by Sept. 12.
   2. If the course starts on the 30th, it must approved by Ed Center no later than Sept. 15.
2. TA cannot be utilized:
   1. If the applicant has had or is pending disciplinary action.
   2. By those in duty-under-instruction status or in an officer accession program involving full-time instruction at a civilian institution.
3. TA can only be approved for courses scheduled one academic term at a time, and will not be authorized for the same course previously funded by the program.
4. Up-front TA funding is not provided for courses if the institution’s drop/add period or late registration date has passed.
5. Reimbursement is required for students who receive an “I” grade that is not completed within 6 months or the institution’s deadline.
   1. Reimbursement of funds must be made by money order or cashier’s check payable to U.S. Treasurer and mailed to NETPDTC.
6. Successful course completion is defined as a grade of:
   1. “C” or higher for undergraduate courses.
   2. “B” or higher for graduate courses.
   3. “Pass” for “Pass/Fail” courses.
7. TA will be authorized for graduate studies through the master’s degree level.

Eligibility Requirements

1. Applicant falls under one of the following categories:
   1. Active duty Marine.
   2. Reservist on continuous active duty.
   3. Enlisted Reservist ordered to active duty 120 days.
   4. Reservist Officer ordered to active duty for two years or more.

Required from Program Users

1. Completion of a College 101 Brief (10-15 minute online PowerPoint presentation).
2. Submission of a Statement of Understanding.
3. Submission of an up-to-date TA application (with statement of fees from institution when requested by Ed Office).
4. Reservists must submit a copy of activation or mobilization orders.
5. Officers must agree to remain on active duty for at least two years upon completion of a funded TA course.
6. Evaluated Degree Plan or a SOCMAR is required.
7. Applicants must have a minimum GT score of 100 or a minimum TABE score of 10.2.
8. First time applicants must complete Marine Corps Institute (MCI) Personal Financial Management.            
   1. Course ID -- 3420G
9. Tuition Assistance Request Form

Covered Costs

1. 100% tuition and fees not to exceed:
   1. $250 per semester credit hour.
   2. $166 per quarter credit hour.
   3. $16.67 per clock hour.
   4. $4500 per fiscal year.

Costs NOT Covered

1. Equipment fees
2. Supply fees
3. Exam fees
4. Costs associated with distance learning

Timeline of Benefit Use

1. Tuition Assistance can only be used during a Marine’s time of service.

Campus Requirements/Steps

1. Request TA via your education unit prior to start of course(s).
2. Submit Tuition Assistance Authorization form to the Bursar’s Office (located in Rendleman Hall) prior to start of course.
3. Authorization amount will be entered on student account as memo amount.
4. Billing will be processed after four week class drop period.
5. Payment will appear on student account when paid by unit.

Resources Utilized in this Document

1. Military.com (largest military and veteran membership organization)
2. Official Marine Corps Website