R 271902Z AUG 25
MARADMIN 404/25
MSGID/GENADMIN/CG MCRC QUANTICO VA//
SUBJ/INTERIM GUIDANCE TO IMPLEMENT CHANGES TO THE MARINE CORPS
TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (MCTAP)//
REF/A/MSGID:DOC/CONGRESS//
REF/B/MSGID:DOC/MCO 1560.33//
NARR/REF A IS TITLE 10 UNITED STATES CODE, SECTION 16401, 
MARINE CORPS PLATOON LEADERS CLASS: COLLEGE TUITION ASSISTANCE 
PROGRAM. REF B IS MCO 1560.33, MARINE CORPS TUITION 
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (MCTAP).//
POC/C. A. LUCAS/CAPT/MCRC OSJA/TEL: (571)559-4525//
POC/J. M. SCANDRETT/CWO3/MCRC G-3/TEL: (571)559-4346//
POC/D. A. BURKE/SSGT/MCRC G-3/TEL: (571)559-4596//
POC/Y. Y. LOPEZ/SGT/MCRC G-3/TEL: (571)559-4650//
POC/L. M. JEFFERSON/CIV/MCRC G-3/TEL: (571)559-4544//
POC/OFFICER APPOINTMENTS/EMAIL://
OFFICERAPPOINTMENTS@MARINES.USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Purpose. This MARADMIN provides interim guidance
to implement amendments made to Reference (a) while pending
forthcoming changes to Reference (b) in order to execute the MCTAP
in accordance with the most current statutory authority.
2. Background. The MCTAP was created in 1999 as a recruiting
incentive designed to encourage college students to consider the
Platoon Leaders Class (PLC) Program early in their collegiate 
careers. Reference (a) gives the Marine Corps the authority to
implement the MCTAP. Reference (b) was published on 4 May 2000 and
has not been updated since its original publication. Significant
changes to Reference (a) were made in the Fiscal Year (FY) 25
National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which require updates to
the MCTAP to be promulgated.
3. Maximum Allocation and Payment Amount.
3.a. The FY25 NDAA published changes to Reference (a) which allow
for up to 450 once-trained members of the PLC program to receive
tuition assistance payments of up to $13,800.00 per academic year.
Eligible members may receive reimbursements for verified qualifying
expenses for up to three consecutive years. MCTAP funds are available
for the purpose of obtaining a baccalaureate degree or juris doctor
(or equivalent) degree. The maximum amount that a member may receive
is $41,400.00 over a period of three consecutive years.
4. Eligibility. All eligibility requirements and qualifications
remain the same as those listed in Reference (b), except those
specifically outlined below. 
4.a. Age Requirements. None. There is no age limitation associated
with eligibility for the MCTAP for a member pursuing either a
baccalaureate or juris doctor (JD) degree.
5. Implementation. The FY25 NDAA was signed into law by POTUS on
23 December 2024. Thus, the statutory changes to Reference (a) which
increased the amount of financial assistance to $13,800.00 per
academic year and limited the number of allocations for the program
to 450 were not enacted until mid-way through the academic school
year for 2024-2025. As such, the start date for implementation of
these changes will be effective 23 December 2024. 
5.a. Transition Period. To account for the timing of changes to
Reference (a), all members of the PLC program who met the
eligibility requirements outlined in Reference (b), as updated by
this MARADMIN, as of 23 December 2024 will be able to retroactively
apply for enrollment in the MCTAP for academic year 2024-2025.
Requests must be received by the Commanding General, Marine Corps
Recruiting Command, by 30 September 2025.
5.a.1. PLC Members who did not enroll in the MCTAP for Academic Year
2024-2025. Initial application requests must be received by
30 September 2025 to enroll in the MCTAP for academic year 2024-2025
and receive reimbursement for covered expenses up to $13,800.00. 
5.a.2. PLC Members who did enroll in the MCTAP for Academic
Year 2024-2025. Supplemental application requests must be received
by 30 September 2025 for covered expenses that were not previously
reimbursed due to prior limitations. The total amount of reimbursed
expenses for academic year 2024-2025 shall not exceed $13,800.00,
accounting for the previously reimbursed amount.
6. Application Procedures. All application procedures for enrollment
in the MCTAP remain the same as those listed in Reference (b),
except those specifically outlined below. 
6.a. Application Timelines.
6.a.1. Academic Year 2024-2025. As outlined above in
paragraphs 5-5.a.2., all initial and supplemental MCTAP enrollment
requests for academic year 2024-2025 must be received by the
Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruiting Command,
Code OA (CG MCRC (OA)) by 30 September 2025.
6.a.2. Academic Year 2025-2026 and onward. All initial and subsequent
MCTAP requests must be received by CG MCRC (OA) by 31 December of
the academic year. For those individuals who did not enroll in the
first semester/quarter, all requests must be received by
CG MCRC (OA) by 31 May to apply for enrollment in the
second semester/quarter.
7. Longevity Credit and Pay Entry Base Date (PEBD). The longevity
credit and PEBD considerations outlined in Reference (b)
remain unchanged.
8. Command and Signal.
8.a. This message is applicable to members of the Marine Corps
Platoon Leaders Class Program.
8.b. An updated Marine Corps Order will be released to codify these
changes and replace Reference (b). 
8.c. Refer to the POC information at the beginning of this MARADMIN
for questions. For email correspondence, use the organizational
mailbox: officerappointments@marines.usmc.mil.
8.d. This message is effective upon release.
9. Release authorized by Lieutenant General William J. Bowers, 
Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruiting Command.//