Navy Education Benefits

(Note: The below article is from the Aug 97 edition of Navy "All Hands" Magazine. While it is written with Navy personnel in mind, for the most part, the information is applicable for members of all of the services.

Education is an essential part of every service member's career. The Navy provides Sailors with a wide variety of programs to assist them in every facet of education, whether it's fulfilling requirements for a high school diploma, earning an equivalency certificate or completing a college degree.

At the present time, educational achievement is critical for in-service promotion as well as preparation for later transition to a civilian career.

It is the CNO's goal to make education accessible to all naval personnel ... and there are definite rewards for success in achieving further education. For example, enlisted personnel competing for advancement to pay grades E-4 to E-6 are awarded one permanent point in the advancement computation if they complete an associate's degree during off-duty time and two permanent points if they complete a baccalaureate degree or higher after they enter the Navy.

Navy Campus: The Navy's voluntary education program

Since Navy Campus was established in 1974, thousands of Sailors have taken advantage of the Navy's voluntary education program. Some completed:

• A high school diploma or earned an equivalency certificate (GED).

• A vocational/technical certificate.

• A college degree - associate's, bachelor's or graduate degree.

Navy Campus staff helps Sailors every step of the way by working with them to define educational goals, advise them about testing services and ways to pay for college courses.

identifying training and experience for college credit;

Navy Campus Education Specialist
Civilian education specialists assist Navy personnel in planning their educational program. These specialists help by:
establishing realistic education goals;
identifying training and experience for college credit;
assisting in enrollment and registration;
recommending specific courses or programs of study;
providing financial assistance;
administering tests through DANTES (GED, ACT, SAT, CLEP); and
explaining SOCNav opportunities.

On-base Navy Campus

The Navy invites colleges to offer courses directly on bases around the world. Colleges provide instructors to 74 locations that offer the same course you would take on the home campus.

Program for Afloat College Education (PACE)

PACE makes it possible for Sailors at sea to continue their college studies. PACE is free for the Sailor (the only cost is for books). Civilian instructors ride with the ship to teach classes. All ships and submarines offer college classes using computer technology.

Tuition Assistance (TA)

TA is available to all active-duty Sailors. The Navy pays 75 percent of the cost of the course subject to the following:

• For undergraduate classes, the Sailor is permitted to have a maximum of $2,500 per year.

• For graduate classes, the Sailor is permitted a maximum of $3,500 per year.

• For vocational/technical courses, $1,300 per year.

High school completion

Service members can complete high school requirements during off-duty time with 100 percent support.

Academic Skills Program

Under this program, Sailors can improve reading comprehension, basic math, writing skills, grammar and basic science during on- or off-duty time. As of 1997, the Navy established nine Academic Skills Learning Centers located in Jacksonville, Fla.; Little Creek, Va.; Yokosuka and Atsugi, Japan; Coronado, Calif.; Bangor, Maine; Great Lakes, Ill.; Keflavik, Iceland; and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Servicemember's Opportunity Colleges, Navy (SOCNAV)

SOCNAV is a consortium of colleges and universities that have agreed to facilitate transfer of college credits from one college to another.

Under SOCNAV-2, Sailors can earn an associates degree. Under SOCNAV-4, Sailors can earn a bachelors degree.

By enrolling in an individual SOCNAV college, the Sailor does not have to worry about transferring credits from one college to another, and future course requirements are all spelled out. Almost 56,000 Sailors have a SOCNAV contract to earn a degree.

Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support

DANTES is a DOD agency that supports voluntary education services for all the military services. DANTES provides the opportunity to take tests for academic credit, and college entrance exams like the SAT or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Also, DANTES makes it possible for a Sailor to take independent study courses as part of a degree program from colleges listed in the DANTES Independent Study Catalogue. DANTES expands educational opportunities through its many services to the education centers worldwide. (For more information, visit http:/voled.doded.mil/DANTES)

American Council on Education (ACE)

The Navy works in partnership with the civilian academic community to obtain college credit for Navy training. ACE teams visit Navy technical schools to examine course outlines, visit classes and talk to instructors.

Their recommendations regarding how many college credits can be equated with training are published every two years in the "Guide to Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services." This guide translates Navy technical school courses into course titles at civilian institutions.

Enlisted Commissioning Program (ECP)

ECP provides outstanding, career-motivated, active-duty enlisted personnel in the Navy or Naval Reserve, who have previously earned college credit, an opportunity to earn a regular commission.

Selectees are ordered to the ECP on a permanent change-of-station basis and enrolled in a participating Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) affiliated university. They receive full pay and allowances for their enlisted pay grades and are eligible for advancement.

Tuition, fees, books and other expenses incurred while participating in the ECP are paid by the student.

Selectees are expected to complete degree requirements for a non-technical degree in not more than 30 calendar months or a technical degree in not more than 36 calendar months, attending school on a full-time, year-round basis.

Eligibility requirements are as follows:

• Be a citizen of the United States.

• Be an enlisted member of the Navy or Naval Reserve on active duty and have completed at least four years of active service as of Sept. 1 in the year of enrollment.

• Have completed sufficient undergraduate course work to complete requirements for a non-technical degree in 30 months or technical degree in 36 months.

• Be at least 22 years of age, but able to complete degree requirements and be commissioned prior to 31st birthday.

• Have a cumulative grade point average (CPA) of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale (waiver available).

• Have a certified copy of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the Enhanced American College Test (EACT) scores from test taken after Aug. 31 of the preceding year.

• Meet physical standards for commissioning in the unrestricted line.

• Have no record of non-judicial punishment, or civil court (for other than minor traffic violations) during the two years preceding Nov. 1 of the year of application. Have no record of conviction by court-martial or a felony conviction (military or civilian) regardless of the date, or any record of drug abuse while in an enlisted status.

• Be recommended by the commanding officer.

Interested Sailors should see their career counselor and check OPNAVNOTE 1530 or contact the Enlisted Commissioning Program Manager, CNET, NAS Pensacola, Fla. 32508-5100, for additional information.

Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training (BOOST)

BOOST is an academic program which enables enlisted personnel to acquire the scholastic skills and academic credentials necessary to pursue a naval commission through the Naval Academy or NROTC.

The academic program at BOOST provides college preparatory instruction emphasizing mathematics, the physical sciences and the communication skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Included in the program are educational and personal counseling, development of study skills and time management.

Eligibility requirements for BOOST are as follows:

• Prospective NROTC Scholarship Program applicants must not have reached their 21st birthday by June 30 of the year entering BOOST school. Candidates with active enlisted service in the Armed Forces prior to entering BOOST school may be granted a waiver on a month-for-month basis up to a maximum of 36 months, enabling an active-duty Sailor to qualify up to his or her 24th birthday.

  Interested personnel should see their career counselor and check OPNAVNOTE 1500 or contact the BOOST program manager at CNET, NAS Pensacola, Fla. 32508-5100 for additional information.

Education and Training Management Subspecialty

The ETMS program prepares officers to manage education and training activities. Billets are located throughout the Naval Education and Training Command and at other activities in ranks of 0-3 through 0-6.

The graduate-level curriculum that qualifies officers for the ETMS subspecialty code combines education and training principles with general management. To satisfy the education requirements for this subspecialty, officers complete course work in such areas as: organizational development; educational research and psychology; resource planning and programming; applications of computer technology to education and training; contract administration and evaluation; and design and evaluation of technical training program's.

Officers can usually complete the full-time curriculum in 12 to 15 months. The officer subspecialty is now available at the following universities: Stanford, Stanford, Calif.; Harvard, Cambridge, Mass.; George Washington, Washington, D.C.; Old Dominion, Norfolk; San Diego State, San Diego; Memphis State, Memphis, Tenn.; and the University of West Florida, Pensacola, Fla.

In addition, an off-duty curriculum is available at most of these universities and at the University of North Florida/Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, Fla.

For more information on ETMS, contact Chief of Naval Education and Training, Officer Accessions, or PERS 440 at DSN 922-4994.

Department of Veterans Affairs Education Programs

The Department of Veterans Affairs is currently disbursing benefits under two (member elected) GI Bill Programs: the Veterans Education Assistance Program (VEAP) and the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB).

Eligibility for a GI Bill program is determined by the member's initial entry on to active duty, length of service and legislated special enrollment programs. Program eligibility is not effected by reenlistment, broken service, or longevity.

Vietnam Era GI Bill (VEGIB)

Individuals who entered active duty, or contracted to enter active duty prior to Jan. 1, 1977, and entered active duty prior to Jan. 1, 1978, became eligible for the Vietnam Era GI Bill (VEGIB) after serving 180 days of active duty.

The VEGIB was terminated Dec. 31, 1989, and no benefits may be paid for training pursued after that date. VEGIB members who met the eligibility criteria for conversion to the MGIB were automatically converted and became eligible to use MGIB benefits Jan. 1, 1990.

Members with VEGIB benefits remaining on Dec. 31, 1989, automatically converted entitlement to the MGIB if:

• They were on active duty on June 30, 1985, and served continuously through June 30, 1988, or

• They were on active duty June 30, 1985, and served continuously through June 30, 1987, followed by four continuous years of drilling with the Selected Reserve and

• Completed the requirements for a high school diploma or equivalency prior to Dec. 31, 1989.

VEGIB members who convert to the MGIB are entitled to receive an enhanced monthly benefit rate. The current monthly benefit for converted VEGIB members pursuing a full-time curriculum is:

$615.87 with no dependents

$651.87 with one dependent

$682.87 with two dependents and $16 for each additional dependent

NROTC and USNA graduates commissioned after Jan. 1, 1977, are not eligible for conversion to the MGIB.

Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)

Individuals who entered active duty between Jan. 1, 1977, and June 30, 1985, were given the opportunity to participate in the VEAP. Participation, required the member to open a VEAP account and contribute to the program before the introduction of the Montgomery GI Bill on June 30, 1985.

Members who did not open a VEAP account before this date were given a last chance opportunity to participate between Oct. 28, 1986, and March 31, 1987. Individuals who did not open a VEAP account before this deadline are not eligible to participate in the program.

The VEAP will match $2 for each $1 contributed by the member and may be paid by allotment or lump sum payment. After enrolling in VEAP, the member may contribute to their account at anytime while on active duty. The maximum contribution to VEAP is $2,700 and will pay a total benefit of $8,100.

Members who withdraw their contributions and allow a zero balance are not considered active VEAP participants. Members on active duty with a zero balance VEAP account, may contribute to VEAP and establish eligibility for VEAP benefits.

Montgomery GI Bill enrollment for certain VEAP participants

The Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 1996 (PL 104-275) authorizes active-duty members with money in a VEAP account on Oct. 9, 1996, the opportunity to enroll in the MGIB or remain in the VEAP.

Separation from active duty after the date of enactment does not effect the member's eligibility.

The Bureau of Naval Personnel (PERS 604) notified eligible VEAP participants of the opportunity to enroll in the MGIB. This legislation does not authorize the enrollment of new VEAP participants.

Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)

Individuals initially entering active duty after 30 June 1985 are automatically entered in the MGIB unless they make a written election to disenroll. The election not to participate in the MGIB may never be changed and eligibility will not be established at a later date.

MGIB participation requires:

• Pay reduction of $100 per month for 12 months. The MGIB money reduced from a member's pay may not be refunded for any reason.

• Completion of a high school diploma or equivalency prior to completing their initial obligated period of active duty.

• Twenty-four months of service if on less than a three- year service obligation or, 36 months of service if on a three year or longer obligation.

• Members separating for Convenience of the Government must serve 20 months of a less-than-three-year obligation or, 30 months of a three-year or longer obligation.

• Character of service for members separating from active duty must be Honorable. A General Discharge Under Honorable Conditions does not qualify the individual for MGIB entitlement.

MGIB benefits are paid as a monthly stipend directly to the member and are based on the amount of training certified to the DVA. Currently the MGIB will pay the following rates for full-time training:

• $427.87 per month for 36 months for a three-year or longer obligation.

• $347.65 per month for 36 months for a less-than-three-year obligation.

• Benefit payments are prorated equally for 3/4, 1/2 and 1/4 time in class. Benefit rate increases will be adjusted to the consumer price index. MGIB entitlement ends 10 years from the date of last separation from active duty.

Navy College Fund (NCF)

The Navy College Fund (NCF) was implemented Jan. 1, 1990, to provide additional educational benefits to by which to recruit qualified, high school graduates into critical or hard-to-fill ratings.

The additional money is added to the basic MGIB entitlement and disbursed by DVA. NCF members must elect and remain eligible for the basic MGIB entitlement.

Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)

Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) is the educational entitlement available to members of the Selected Reserve (SELRES) who incur a six-year obligation to drill with the SELRES for six years.

Members may use MGIB-SR entitlement only while drilling and MGIB-SR entitlement ends 10 years from the date of initial eligibility. Benefits are paid as a monthly stipend directly to the member and are based on the amount of training certified to the DVA.

Currently the MGIB-SR will pay $203.24 per month for 36 months for full-time training.

Graduate education

Graduate education is increasingly important to the naval officer as a means of enhancing professional development.

There are several avenues available to achieve this goal, the foremost being fully funded graduate studies at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif., or at selected civilian universities. Programs and year groups are provided in OPNAVNOTE 1520.

Officers are selected during regular lieutenant and lieutenant commander promotion boards based on professional performance, academic background and the Navy's requirements for sub specialists. Selectees remain eligible while they remain in that grade.

Approximately 1,650 officers from all services and some foreign countries attend the Naval Postgraduate School.

An additional 150 naval officers per year enter civilian institutions to study such fields as naval architecture, ship construction, civil engineering, supply systems management, religion and law. Quotas are available for all curricula.

Officers interested in graduate education should contact their detailer.

U.S. Military