When you enlist in the Marine Corps or the Navy, there are some specific Educational benefits that you can access. These benefits are both in the form of scholarships by different organizations, and grants, loans and Tuition Assistance that is available due to your military service. The Navy-Marine Corps Society educational programs are designed to assist Marine Corps and Navy personnel and their families in finding funding and giving the ability to further their education. In seeking assistance from the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society, the assistance is based on the financial need of the Servicemember and their family, and also depending on what type and amount of funds that are available at the time.
There are several different programs, and it is to the individual Service member’s advantage to take the time to investigate and learn about the different types of Financial Aid available. All applicants must have at least C average in their high school, or previous college transcripts in order to receive financial aid. This works out to about a 2.0 on a 4-point scale.
Everyone that is seeking funds for educational support from the Navy-Marine Corps Education Relief Society has to be enrolling in a program that is approved by the Department of Education and their individual Service. If in doubt, talk to your command to find out if the school you are seeking to attend is on the approved list. There are numerous scholarships and Aid available, as well as some other programs such as:
Spouse Tuition Aid (Overseas)- This is a program for Servicemember spouses living with their active duty spouse that is stationed overseas. It is a special program to help fill the gaps for spouses and the Servicemember stationed outside the United States.
Bridge Loans For TA and GI Bill- The Society gives loans to Servicemembers to cover part of all of the cost of an educational program. This is a loan designed to allow a Servicemember to start school while waiting for Tuition Assistance through their service, or Active Duty GI Bill benefits to come through. It is designed to get the Servicemember or their dependent “In School,†and to help jump-start the process.
Talk to your command if on Active Duty, or your recruiter if you are looking to enlist. There are simply more programs out there than most people realize, and this allows a person the ability to get the most of their military experience, and to get the most assistance in getting their education.
