MARINE CORPS TUITION ASSISTANCE (TA) FUNDING POLICY 

R 302300Z NOV 05
FM CMC WASHINGTON DC(UC)
TO AL MARADMIN(UC)
UNCLASSIFIED
MARADMIN 571/05
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MR//
SUBJ/MARINE CORPS TUITION ASSISTANCE (TA) FUNDING POLICY//
REF/A/MSGID:MSG/CMC MRRV/29DEC2004//
REF/B/MSGID:DOC/CMC MR/22DEC1999//
POC/MR/VERNON TAYLOR/GS-14/LOC:MCB QUANTICO /TEL:703-784-9550
/EMAIL:VERNON.TAYLOR@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  REF A IS CANCELLED.  REF B WILL BE REVISED TO
REFLECT MARADMIN CHANGES AT A LATER DATE.  THIS MARADMIN PROVIDES
AMPLIFICATION TO REF B REGARDING THE MARINE CORPS TA POLICY.  THE
POLICIES HEREIN WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL RESCINDED, PENDING
AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.
2.  ALL ACTIVE DUTY MARINES AND ENLISTED RESERVISTS ON CONTINUOUS
ACTIVE DUTY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR TA PER POLICIES ESTABLISHED HEREIN.  TA
IS AUTHORIZED FOR OFFICERS, ONLY IF THEY AGREE TO REMAIN ON ACTIVE
DUTY FOR TWO (2) CONTINUOUS YEARS AFTER COMPLETING THE TA FUNDED
COURSE.  IF ALLOWED TO VOLUNTARILY RESIGN BEFORE THE TWO-YEAR
OBLIGATION IS SERVED, THE SERVICE MEMBER WILL REPAY THE GOVERNMENT A
PRORATED AMOUNT OF TA EXPENDED DURING THE LAST TWO YEARS OF ACTIVE
DUTY.  THE POLICY MAY NOT BE WAIVED.  ELIGIBILITY AND FUNDING FOR
ACTIVE DUTY MEMBERS OF OTHER MILITARY SERVICES ARE ESTABLISHED
CONSISTENT WITH THE OTHER MILITARY SERVICES TA POLICIES.
3.  TA FUNDING POLICY
A.  TA FUNDS ARE AUTHORIZED UP TO 100% OF TUITION, NOT TO EXCEED $250
PER SEMESTER HOUR EQUIVALENT, AND $4,500 PER INDIVIDUAL PER
FISCAL YEAR.  WITHIN THE CAPS AND LIMITS, FEES MAY BE PAID ALONG WITH
TUITION WHEN THE FEES ARE DIRECTLY REQUIRED FOR COURSE ENROLLMENT.
FEES MUST BE PUBLISHED, MANDATORY, AND CHARGED FOR COURSE ENROLLMENT
IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR MARINE CORPS TA FUNDING.  MANDATORY
COURSE ENROLLMENT FEES ARE THOSE REFUNDABLE FEES CHARGED BY THE
INSTITUTION THAT ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE ENROLLMENT IN A SPECIFIC
COURSE OFFERED BY THAT INSTITUTION.  IF A NON-REFUNDABLE FEE IS
INCLUDED IN THE TA AND THE COURSE IS CANCELLED WITH NO OTHER COURSES
ACTIVE AT THE INSTITUTION, THE STUDENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
REIMBURSING EITHER THE INSTITUTION OR THE MARINE CORPS FOR THE
NON-REFUNDABLE FEE.  SERVICE MEMBERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PORTION
OF TUITION AND OTHER COSTS NOT FUNDED BY TA.  THE INSTALLATION
EDUCATION SERVICES OFFICER HAS THE DISCRETION IN LIMITING THE NUMBER
OF COURSES/COURSE LOAD TAKEN PER TERM BY THE SERVICE MEMBER.
B.  A SEMESTER HOUR (SH) IS THE EQUIVALENT OF 15 CLOCK HOURS.  A
QUARTER HOUR (QH) IS THE EQUIVALENT OF TWO-THIRDS OF A SH OR 10
CLOCK HOURS.  TA WILL FUND A MAXIMUM OF $16.67 PER CLOCK HOUR.  TA
WILL FUND A MAXIMUM OF $166.67 PER QH OR $250 PER SH.
C.  TUITION FOR ALL AUTHORIZED COURSES WILL BE FUNDED AT TIME OF
REGISTRATION REGARDLESS OF THE LENGTH OF THE COURSE.  IF A COURSE
DOES NOT HAVE A SPECIFIC END DATE, THE MAXIMUM TIME THE ACADEMIC
INSTITUTION ALLOWS A STUDENT TO COMPLETE THE COURSE WILL BE USED.
D.  TUITION FOR STUDY LEADING TO A VALID HIGH SCHOOL CREDENTIAL OR
DIPLOMA WILL BE FULLY FUNDED (100%) UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $4,500 PER
INDIVIDUAL PER FISCAL YEAR.  AN EXCEPTION IS AUTHORIZED FOR THE
MARINE CORPS INSTALLATIONS IN JAPAN WHEREBY MASP FUNDS CAN BE USED
FOR PREPARING INDIVIDUALS TO OBTAIN HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS.
E.  TA FUNDS ARE AUTHORIZED FOR VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL,
UNDERGRADUATE, GRADUATE, INDEPENDENT STUDY, AND DISTANCE LEARNING
PROGRAMS.  COURSES MUST BE OFFERED BY INSTITUTIONS ACCREDITED BY
AGENCIES RECOGNIZED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
F.  DEVELOPMENTAL COURSES ARE COURSES THAT COVER BASIC
ACADEMIC SKILLS SUCH AS ENGLISH, MATH, READING, AND WRITING.  AS LONG
AS THE INSTITUTION OFFERS THESE COURSES FOR CREDIT (FOR EXAMPLE SH
OR QH), TA MAY BE APPROVED.  TA MAY BE AUTHORIZED FOR CREDIT BEARING
COURSES EVEN IF THE SCHOOL WILL NOT COUNT THE CREDITS TOWARD A
DEGREE.  SERVICE MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN SCREENED AND IDENTIFIED BY AN
INSTITUTION'S COUNSELOR(S) AS REQUIRING DEVELOPMENTAL COURSES AS A
PREREQUISITE TO ENROLLMENT IN COLLEGE COURSES MAY USE TA FUNDS FOR
SUCH COURSES.  THE EDUCATION SERVICES OFFICER MUST RECEIVE OFFICIAL
CONFIRMATION FROM THE INSTITUTION SUBSTANTIATING THE REQUIREMENT FOR
DEVELOPMENTAL COURSES.  FUNDING FOR THESE COURSES WILL ACCRUE TOWARD
THE INDIVIDUAL'S FY UNDERGRADUATE CAP.  TA FUNDS ARE AUTHORIZED FOR
STUDY TOWARD A CERTIFICATE OR DEGREE AT A HIGHER ACADEMIC LEVEL THAN
THAT CURRENTLY HELD BY THE SERVICE MEMBER.  SERVICE MEMBERS USING TA
CAN ONLY PURSUE ONE EDUCATIONAL GOAL AT A TIME.  TA WILL FUND ONLY
ONE GRADUATE OR PROFESSIONAL DEGREE SINCE THEY ARE CONSIDERED DEGREE
EQUIVALENTS.  DUPLICATE DEGREES WILL NOT BE FUNDED.  IF THE ACADEMIC
INSTITUTION REQUIRES PREREQUISITES, TA MAY FUND UP TO NINE (9)
SEMESTER HOURS OR EQUIVALENT OF THOSE PREREQUISITES FOR THE NEXT
HIGHER ACADEMIC LEVEL OF STUDY.  THE SERVICE MEMBER MUST PROVIDE THE
EDUCATION SERVICES OFFICER WITH AN OFFICIAL LETTER FROM THE
INSTITUTION LISTING REQUIRED PREREQUISITES.  THE EDUCATION
SERVICES OFFICER SHALL DETERMINE IF FUNDING IS WARRANTED, AND SHALL
RETAIN THE LETTER ON FILE.
G.  SERVICE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE FOR THE MONTGOMERY GI BILL (MGIB) MAY
USE THEIR MGIB BENEFIT TO OFFSET THAT PORTION OF TUITION AND RELATED
FEES NOT COVERED BY TA.  MEMBERS ENROLLED IN MGIB MUST CLEARLY PRINT
"TA TOP-UP" ACROSS THE TOP OF THE TA AUTHORIZATION AND FORWARD A
COPY TO THEIR VETERANS ADMINISTRATION REGIONAL OFFICE.  ALL
FIRST-TIME TOP-UP APPLICANTS MUST ALSO FORWARD A MGIB APPLICATION,
VA FORM 22-1990.  SERVICE MEMBERS WILL WORK WITH VA DIRECTLY FOR
SETTLEMENT.  ALTHOUGH MGIB MAY BE USED TO OFFSET TA, TA IS NOT
AUTHORIZED TO OFFSET THAT PORTION OF MGIB NOT PAID BY VA.  THERE
MUST BE A TA DOLLAR CONTRIBUTION IN ORDER FOR TA TOP-UP TO APPLY.
H.  TA FUNDS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS, OR
PREPARATORY COURSES.
I.  TA FUNDS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR COURSES THAT END AFTER THE
SERVICE MEMBER'S EAS.
J.  TA FUNDS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR BOOKS, COMPUTERS, TOOLS, OR
OTHER TANGIBLE ITEMS.
K.  TA IS NOT AUTHORIZED FOR PERSONNEL AWARDED A PUNITIVE
DISCHARGE, IN CONFINEMENT, ON APPELLATE LEAVE, AWAITING A GENERAL
DISCHARGE OR AN ADMINISTRATIVE SEPARATION UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE
CONDITIONS.  TA IS NOT AUTHORIZED FOR SERVICE MEMBERS CONVICTED BY
FOREIGN OR DOMESTIC COURTS, SERVING SENTENCES IN FOREIGN PRISONS, OR
PENDING ADMINISTRATIVE DISCHARGE IN LIEU OF A PUNITIVE DISCHARGE.
L.  TA FUNDS WILL BE RECOUPED FROM THE SERVICE MEMBER FOR FAILED
COURSES, INCOMPLETE COURSES, OR COURSES FROM WHICH THE MEMBER
VOLUNTARILY WITHDREW.  RECOUPMENT MAY BE WAIVED FOR A SERVICE MEMBER
FOR DUTY-RELATED WITHDRAWALS.  SERVICE MEMBERS MUST SUBMIT
PROOF, SUCH AS TAD OR PCS ORDERS, AND A LETTER ENDORSED BY THEIR
COMMANDING OFFICER.  THE EDUCATION SERVICES OFFICER WILL
DETERMINE IF A DUTY WAIVER IS WARRANTED.  IN ORDER TO ENHANCE THE TA
FISCAL POLICY, DUTY WAIVERS WILL NOT NORMALLY BE MET WITH A
FAVORABLE ENDORSEMENT.  MARINES SHOULD NOT SEND WAIVERS DIRECTLY TO
PENSACOLA-NAVAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND
TECHNOLOGY CENTER (NETPDTC).
M.  RECOUPMENT FOR UNDERGRADUATE GRADES OF "F" AND GRADUATE GRADES
OF "D" AND BELOW WILL NOT BE WAIVED.
4.  PROCEDURES
A.  BASIC FORMS
(1)  THE NETPDTC 1560/3 WILL BE USED AS THE TA REQUEST FORM TO
OBTAIN SIGNATURE APPROVAL FROM THE SERVICE MEMBER AND HIS/HER
COMMANDING OFFICER.  THE REQUEST FORM IS NOT AN AUTHORIZATION AND IS
NOT AUTHORIZED FOR USE AS THE FUNDING DOCUMENT.  THE FUNDING DOCUMENT
IS THE AUTOMATED TA AUTHORIZATION PRODUCED BY THE CENTRALLY MANAGED
TA SYSTEM AND SIGNED BY THE INSTALLATION EDUCATION SERVICES OFFICER
OR DESIGNEE.
(2)  THE AUTOMATED TA AUTHORIZATION MUST BE APPROVED BY THE
DESIGNATED TA APPROVING AUTHORITY PRIOR TO THE START DATE OF THE
COURSE.  THE START DATE OF THE COURSE MUST BE IN THE SAME FISCAL
YEAR TA FUNDING IS AUTHORIZED.  TA FUNDS WILL NOT BE AUTHORIZED FOR
COURSES STARTING PRIOR TO 30 SEPTEMBER AFTER 15 SEPTEMBER OF EACH
FISCAL YEAR.  THE SERVICE MEMBER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING THE TA
AUTHORIZATION FROM THE INSTALLATION EDUCATION CENTER AND SUBMITTING
IT TO THE ACADEMIC INSTITUTION.  THE SERVICE MEMBER SHALL NOT ENROLL
IN ANY COURSE WITHOUT HAVING THE FUNDED TA DOCUMENT.  TA WILL NOT BE
AUTHORIZED AFTER THE ACADEMIC INSTITUTION'S LATE REGISTRATION
DEADLINE OR FULL TUITION REFUND DATE.  THE MEMBER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
FUNDING ANY TA ENROLLMENTS PRIOR TO THE RECEIPT OF A PROPER
AUTHORIZATION.
(3)  COMMANDING OFFICER SIGNATURE DOES NOT AUTHORIZE TA FUNDS.  ONLY
THE INSTALLATION EDUCATION SERVICES OFFICER OR THEIR DESIGNEE CAN
AUTHORIZE TA FUNDS.
(4)  TA FORM CHANGES OR CANCELLATIONS WILL BE PROCESSED ACCORDING TO
THE INSTRUCTIONS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF EACH AUTOMATED TA FORM.
THE INSTALLATION EDUCATION SERVICES OFFICER OR A DESIGNATED
REPRESENTATIVE MUST PROCESS ANY CHANGE THAT ALTERS THE MONETARY
AMOUNTS OF TA.  NO PEN/PENCIL CHANGES ARE ACCEPTED.  FAILURE TO
NOTIFY THE INSTALLATION EDUCATION SERVICES OFFICER AND NETPDTC OF
CHANGES AND CANCELLATIONS MAY RESULT IN NONPAYMENT OF TA AND
INITIATION OF RECOUPMENT.
B.  REQUIREMENTS
(1)  AN INDIVIDUAL MUST HAVE NO MORE THAN TWO OUTSTANDING GRADES AT
ANY GIVEN TIME.  AN OUTSTANDING GRADE IS DEFINED AS A GRADE NOT
RECEIVED WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE COMPLETION DATE OF A COURSE.
BEFORE RECEIVING ADDITIONAL TA, THE GRADE(S) MUST BE SUBMITTED TO
COMMANDING OFFICER (CODE N8115) MARINE CORPS GROUP, NETPDTC, 6490
SAUFLEY FIELD ROAD, PENSACOLA, FL 32509-5241.  THE SERVICE MEMBER
IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING GRADES ARE RECEIVED BY NETPDTC.
(2)  ALL FIRST-TIME STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE A "TA ORIENTATION" CLASS
(COLLEGE 101) PRIOR TO USING TA.  MARINES ON MAJOR INSTALLATIONS MAY
ACCESS THE COURSE AT LOCAL EDUCATION OFFICES.  MARINES AT REMOTE
OR NON-MARINE CORPS INSTALLATIONS MAY ACCESS THE COURSE VIA
WWW.USMC-MCCS.ORG, LIFELONG LEARNING, MILITARY TUITION ASSISTANCE
OR, WWW.USMC-MCCS.ORG/PERSSVC/PER_SERV_MAIN.HTML, LIFELONG LEARNING,
MILITARY TUITION ASSISTANCE.  REMOTE ON-LINE USERS WILL RECEIVE A
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION.  THIS CERTIFICATE WILL BE FAXED TO THE
APPROPRIATE LIFELONG LEARNING CENTER WITH THE INITIAL TA REQUEST FOR
PROCESSING AND AUTHORIZATION.
(3)  FIRST TIME TA USERS WITH A GT OF 99 AND BELOW PURSUING COLLEGE
LEVEL COURSES MUST COMPLETE THE TEST OF ADULT BASIC EDUCATION (TABE)
WITH SCORES OF 10.2 AND HIGHER TO RECEIVE TA.  IF THE TEST SCORE IS
NOT SATISFACTORY, MARINES MUST COMPLETE THE MILITARY ACADEMIC SKILLS
PROGRAM (MASP) PRIOR TO RECEIVING TA.  MARINES IN REMOTE LOCATIONS
WHO DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE (TABE), ARE THE EXCEPTION TO THE
POLICY;
HOWEVER, THESE MARINES CAN ONLY TAKE ONE COURSE AT A TIME UNTIL THEY
SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE 12 SEMESTER HOURS.  AT THAT TIME, THE
RESTRICTION IS LIFTED.
(4)  TO CONTINUE USING TA, MARINES MUST HAVE A WRITTEN SOCMAR
AGREEMENT DEGREE PLAN SIGNED OFF BY AN OFFICIAL OF THE ACADEMIC
INSTITUTION BEFORE EXCEEDING 12 SEMESTER HOURS.
5.  ACTION
A.  EDUCATION SERVICES OFFICERS WILL COORDINATE WITH PUBLIC AFFAIRS,
CAREER PLANNERS, AND THE LOCAL COMMAND VIA THE MCCS DIRECTOR TO
ENSURE ALL ELIGIBLE SERVICE MEMBERS ARE AWARE OF THE VOLUNTARY
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE WHILE ON ACTIVE DUTY.
B.  LOCAL COMMANDERS WILL ENSURE THE INFORMATION REGARDING
AVAILABILITY OF TA IS DISSEMINATED TO ALL SERVICE MEMBERS AND WILL
ENSURE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TA PROGRAM PER THE POLICIES SET FORTH
IN THIS MARADMIN AND REF B.  COMMANDERS' ATTENTION TO COMMAND
SCHEDULE COMMITMENTS THAT PRECLUDE SUCCESSFUL COURSE COMPLETION IS
VITAL TO THE SUCCESS OF FUNDING THE TA PROGRAM.  TA IS A
DISCRETIONARY PROGRAM KEYED TO MILITARY ENHANCEMENT, AND FUNDED
DEPENDING ON THE UNIT'S MISSION, THE MARINE'S OBLIGATED SERVICE, AND
THE COMMANDING OFFICER'S CONCURRENCE THAT THE MARINE CAN PARTICIPATE
MEANINGFULLY.
C.  THE COMMANDING OFFICER SHOULD PROVIDE MAXIMUM ASSISTANCE TO
SUPPORT DEPLOYED-ISOLATED MARINES BY ENSURING DISSEMINATION OF THE
FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
(1)  DEPLOYED/DETACHED MARINES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR TA, TESTING, AND
APPROVED INDEPENDENT STUDY PROGRAMS THROUGH THE EDUCATION OFFICE AT
THE BASE FROM WHICH THEY DEPLOYED, OR THE BASE AT WHICH THEY ARE
CURRENTLY LOCATED.  INFORMATION REGARDING MATERIALS, SERVICES, AND
PROGRAMS SHALL BE PROVIDED PRIOR TO DEPLOYMENT WITH APPROPRIATE
LEAD-TIME TO ENABLE THE DEPLOYED MARINES TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE
OPPORTUNITIES.  TA FOR EAST COAST DEPLOYMENTS (EAST OF THE
MISSISSIPPI) IS PROVIDED BY MARINE CORPS BASE (MCB), CAMP LEJEUNE, NC
OR MARINE CORPS AIR STATION (MCAS), CHERRY POINT, NC.  TA FOR WEST
COAST DEPLOYMENTS (WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI) IS PROVIDED BY MARINE
CORPS BASE (MCB), CAMP PENDLETON, CA.  TA FOR DEPLOYMENTS TO OKINAWA
IS PROVIDED BY MCB, CAMP BUTLER.  IF A MARINE IS TAD TO A MARINE
CORPS INSTALLATION, THE LOCAL LL CENTER WILL PROVIDE TA.
(2)  TA FOR RECRUITERS IS PROCESSED BY THE RECRUITING DISTRICT OR
REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS, ERR PARRIS ISLAND, AND WRR SAN DIEGO
DEPENDING UPON THE LOCATION OF THE MARINE.
(3)  TA FOR MARINES ON I-I DUTY IS PROCESSED BY COMMANDING OFFICER,
MARFORRES, (ATTN: LIFELONG LEARNING SECTION) 4400 DAUPHINE STREET,
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70146-5400. COMM: (504) 678-6581/8213, OR DSN:
678-6581/8213.  EFFECTIVE 01 OCT 05 DUE TO HURRICANE KATRINA,
MARFORRES IS TEMPORARILY LOCATED AT MOBCOM IN KANSAS.  COMM: (816)
843-3688 OR FAX:(816) 843-3779.
(4)  TA FOR MARINES STATIONED AT NON-MARINE CORPS INSTALLATIONS,
(EXCEPT NAVY AND COAST GUARD) IS PROCESSED AT TWO LOCATIONS.
MARINES WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI SHOULD FAX TA REQUESTS TO THE LL
CENTER AT MCB CAMP PENDLETON, CA FAX:(760) 725-6593.  MARINES
EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI SHOULD FAX TA REQUESTS TO THE LL CENTER AT
MCB CAMP LEJEUNE, NC FAX:(910) 451-5512.  MARINES AT NAVY AND
COAST GUARD BASES WILL BE PROCESSED BY THESE SERVICES AT THE
EDUCATION CENTERS.  ONCE THE REQUEST IS AUTHORIZED, THE MEMBER WILL
RECEIVE A COPY OF THE AUTHORIZATION TO BE PRESENTED TO THE SCHOOL
WHEN ENROLLING IN COURSES.//