Lifelong Learning MARFORRES

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• Lifelong LearningMARFORRES

COLLEGE 101 WWW.MFR.USMC.MIL/HQ/MCCS/
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Overview

• Services available at the Lifelong Learning
  Center
• Benefits of Education
• Tuition Assistance
• Military Academic Skills Program (MASP)
• College Information SOCMAR, schools,
  accreditation, distance learning, SMART
• MGIB Top-Up Buy-Up Programs
• Testing Programs (DANTES and Military)

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Lifelong Learning Services

• Educational counseling Assist with selecting a
  degree program or school and review SMART
  transcripts.
• Tuition assistance (TAs)
• Testing Center Military classification tests,
  CLEPs, DSSTs, Proctor college exams
• Resource information
• - School catalogs, course schedules, brochures

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Benefits of Education

• The higher your education, the higher your salary
• Degrees open doors to opportunities, employment,
  career advancement
• Evals Fitreps, Promotion Boards, etc.
• Intrinsic Gratification (personal satisfaction)
• Consider the cost of not getting an education

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Income vs Education2003 Dept of Labor stats

• No High School Diploma 19,821
• High School Diploma 26,988
• Associates 33,852
• Bachelors 45,084
• Masters 55,016
• Doctorate 70,148
• Professional Degree 67,600

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Whats on your SMART ? (Sailor/Marine ACE
Registry Transcript)

• Military occupations held
• Military training courses completed
• College-level examinations completed, (CLEP,
  DSST, Excelsior, ACT, DLPT)
• American Council on Education (ACE) recommended
  credit for each of the above
• Lists college courses - now you can add what you
  have taken (from accredited schools)
• Lists degrees and certifications earned/awarded

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SMART https//smart.navy.mil

• SMART transcripts are automatically updated as
  you complete military training or TA funded
  courses
• Make sure your SMART is up to date!
• Need to add courses or grades? Bring your
  original transcript to the Lifelong Learning
  Center
• SMART Transcripts are free
• Available to retired and separated personnel.
  Records go back as far as 1990

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Transferring Credits from SMART

• Check with your school to see if they will
  evaluate your SMART for college credit.
• Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges will grant
  credit for the SMART transcript
• Most schools will award up to 30 credits for some
  military coursework and/or training.
• Submit an official copy

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SOCMAR(Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges)

• A plan that evaluates all prior learning.
• Reduces transfer complications.
• Guarantees award of the degree when the
  requirements are met.
• There are over 1,800 schools in the program.
• Students who have completed 12 semester units are
  required to have a SOC agreement on file with
  Lifelong Learning

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Benefits OfDistance Learning

• Use Tuition Assistance
• Earn credit wherever stationed
• Study when your schedule permits
• Choose level vocational, technical,
  undergraduate through doctorate

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Pitfalls OfDistance Learning

• Requires self-motivation and discipline
• Only two courses will be approved for beginning
  students

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Accreditation

• Schools must be accredited either regionally or
  nationally
• Regional accreditation is most versatile
• Credits/degrees from Nationally accredited
  schools may not be accepted by Regionally
  accredited colleges.

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DONT DO IT!!!!!

• Diploma mills
• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Non-Accredited Schools
• Accredited schools wont accept credits from a
  Non-Accredited school you cant progress

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USMAP (United ServicesMilitary
Apprenticeship Program)(Journeymans License)

• Certification through documented work experience
  (On-The-Job-Training)
• Establishes credentials for civilian employment
  through the Dept of Labor.

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USMAP Qualifications

• Active duty
• High school diploma or GED
• In rating/MOS designated for the trade
• Working in an authorized apprenticeship trade
  billet
• https//usmap.cnet.navy.mil/

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MASP (Military Academic Skills Program)

• An on-duty refresher course
• Helps students refresh basic English and Math
  skills
• Designed for students with GT score of 99 or
  below
• May help you prepare for the ASVAB, SAT, or GED.

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MASP

• Mandatory for 1st time TA users with a GT score
  of 99 or below who did not score a 10.2 on the
  TABE
• 3-weeks long

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WHAT IS TUITION ASSISTANCE?

• Money for voluntary education and training
• You do not have to pay it back, IF you follow the
  rules (NETPEDIC Inst 1560.3D)

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Who is Eligible?

• Active duty
• Enlisted GT score must be above 99 and must
  complete course prior to EAS
• Officer must have two-years of service
  obligation remaining at end of course
• Reservists on continuous active duty
• Recalled Reservist
• Enlisted recall for at least 120 days
• Officer recall for two years or more

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How Much Can TA Pay each fiscal year (October 1
-September 30)?

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What Else Does TA Pay?
TA Application Form NETPDTC 1560/3 Rev. 09/07

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TA Does Not Pay

• Graduation fees
• Failing (F) Grades
• Repeat classes (taken with TA)
• P.E./recreation courses
• Non-credit courses
• Parking
• Registration fees
• Late registration
• Books and supplies

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How to Get UseTuition Assistance

• Attend TA Briefing (youre here)
• Complete application
• Command signature, E7 or above
• Submit application at least 2 weeks prior to
  start of term

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Student Responsibilities

• Submit accurate and legible application no later
  than 2 weeks prior to start of class
• No After-the-fact TA
• No reimbursement
• Give authorized TA to the school
• Submit a copy of grades to Education Center
  within four weeks after term ends
• Obtain a SOCMAR Agreement or a signed degree plan
  by the time you complete 4 TA-funded courses.
• 5. Forward your TA via fax [phone] or
  email to mfreducation_at_usmc.mil

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Student Liabilities

• Pay student share
• Repay any failed courses
• Repay voluntary withdrawals after the drop/add
  period
• Clear or satisfy any incomplete (I) or repay
  NETPDTC
• Exception
• Involuntary withdrawals due to duty, family
  emergency, medical emergency. Request waiver on
  command letterhead, signed by CO approved by the
  Education Center.

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(No Transcript)
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Need to Change your TA?

• Contact the Lifelong Learning Center
• at [phone]
• Keep a copy of all your TA Authorizations
• Consider adding the 600 MGIB Buy-up
  required for additional monthly benefits.

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MGIB Top-up

• Must be used concurrently with TA
• Pays student share
• Does not pay for books
• You can alternate between using Top Up and full
  MGBIll but not at same time
• www.gibill.va.gov

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Applying For MGIB Top-up

• Get MGIB app at www.gibill.va.gov
• Take MGIB application to the Lifelong Learning
  Center for ESOs signature. She must talk to you
  in person
• Write TOP UP on the top of your TA
  Authorization
• Send completed forms, only once to
• VA Regional Processing Office that for your
  college
• Allow 10 - 12 weeks for processing

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You Can Use TA PELL Grants

• Pays tuition, fees, books, supplies,
  transportation, and dependent care expenses
• Not seen as duplication of benefits by Federal
  Treasury
• To apply go to http//www.fafsa.ed.gov
• Scholarships and grants
• do not have to be repaid!

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DANTES TESTING PROGRAM

• CLEP (College-Level Examination Program)
• DSST (DANTES Standardized Subject Test)
• ECE (Excelsior College Examination Program)
• Earn between 3-8 credits per exam!
• FREE to active duty military personnel
• CLEP 85 DSST 90 for civilians

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What are the benefits?

• Save time
• Save money
• Complete your degree quicker!

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Military Classification Testing

• Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB)
• Demonstrates the ability to learn a foreign
  language
• Required for lat moves to 0211 MOS
• Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT)
• Demonstrates proficiency in a foreign language
• May be eligible for FLPP (ref MARADMIN 220/04)
• College credit granted on SMART

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Military Testing Cont.

• Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
  (ASVAB)
• Can be taken every 6 months
• May be a requirement for reenlistment or lat move

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Cheat Sheet

• Submit all grades as soon as possible
• Fax College 101 Cert (last page of this pp)
• Submit TA request 2 weeks BEFORE class start date
• Let us know if you change/canx a course
• Communicate We are here for you!

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MCCS LIFELONG LEARNING

• 4400 Dauphine Street
• New Orleans, LA 70146
• Fax (504) 678 - 4898
• Toll Free (866) 305 - 9058
• Email mfreducation_at_usmc.mil
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• Education Services Specialist
• Mr. Frank Buday, (504) 678 - 4396
• Lifelong Learning Program Manager
• Sandy Robinson, (504) 678 - 8248

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This Certificate Verifies that

• ____________________
• Name
• At
• ______________________
• Location
• On the date of ________________________
  ___

• Has successfully completed the College 101 course
  and fully understands all information provided.