COLLEGE 101

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COLLEGE 101

• For Deployed and Long Distance Personnel

Camp Lejeune MCAS New River Marine Navy
personnel stationed at non-Marine non-Navy
bases east of the Mississippi
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Introduction

• The mission of the Lifelong Learning Branch,
  Marine Corps Community Services is to help
  Marines, Sailors, retirees, and their family
  members successfully achieve their educational
  goals.
• The services available include processing of
  tuition assistance (TA) for active duty service
  members, civilian and military testing, SMART
  transcript counseling, apprenticeship program,
  and academic advisement.
• For deployed and long distance personnel, all
  counseling and paperwork is done via phone,
  e-mail, and fax. Personnel physically aboard
  Camp Lejeune MCAS New River MUST come into our
  office.

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Starting Off

• Set Education Goals
• It is important that you decide what type of
  degree, certificate, or diploma you want to earn
  and in what field.
• If you dont know what you want to study, or are
  planning to transfer to another school, use the
  general studies category to ensure you complete
  general education requirements.

• Speak with or e-mail Education Counselor
• 1st Lifelong Learning (Education Center)
• 2nd College/University you are interested in
  attending
• Research the school you are interested in
  attending
• Accreditation?
• Cost?
• Reputation?

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Considerations
It is important for you to select the best school
to help you achieve your career goals and be
flexible enough to support the busy lifestyle of
a working, adult student.

• Questions to Ask
• How are regular and distance learning courses
  delivered?
• What is the cost of books? Are the books
  electronic or hard cover?
• Is the school responsive to the special needs of
  military personnel?
• Will the school accept previously earned college
  credit?

• Colleges Universities have a maximum number of
  credits that can be transferred in. How many do
  you have?
• Military experience CLEP testing can help you
  earn credits outside of the classroom. Does the
  school accept this type of credit?
• Keep in mind that the military mission comes
  first.

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For Your Information

• Funds are authorized for vocational and
  technical, undergraduate and graduate programs.
• Courses must be offered by institutions
  accredited by agencies recognized by the United
  States Department of Education.
• Courses that cover basic academic skills such as
  English and math are covered by military TA
  (Developmental Courses)

• TA funds are authorized for study toward a
  certificate or degree at a higher academic level
  currently held by the service member.
• A student can only pursue one educational goal at
  a time.
• The military TA program will only fund one
  graduate or professional degree since they are
  considered degree equivalents.

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Types of Degrees

• Vocational Diploma or Certificate
• Number of hours taken is based on program
• Typically technical in nature
• Associates
• Typically 2 years
• 60 to 64 semester hours
• Consists of general education courses and
  elective courses
• Transfer Degree Programs
• Associate of Arts
• Associate of Science
• Technical Degree Program
• Associate of Applied Science

• Bachelors
• Typically 4 years
• 120 to 128 semester hours
• Consists of general education courses, courses in
  major area, and electives
• Masters
• 18 to 24 months
• Ranges from 32 to 40 semester hours
• Consists of courses in major area and a few
  elective courses
• PhD.
• 24 to 36 months (timeframe varies depending on
  course of study
• Class work, research, and a dissertation

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ACCREDITATION
Accreditation is a process of external quality
review used by higher education to scrutinize
colleges, universities, and higher education
programs for quality assurance and quality
improvement. This is a voluntary, independent
review of educational programs to determine that
the education provided is of uniform and sound
quality.
In the U.S., accreditation is carried out by
private, nonprofit organizations designed for
this specific purpose. External quality review
of higher education is a non-government
enterprise. In other countries, accreditation
and quality assurance activities are typically
carried out by the government. Accreditation
determines a school's eligibility for
participation in federal (Title IV) and state
financial aid programs. Proper accreditation is
also important for the acceptance and transfer of
college credit.
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Types of Accreditation

• REGIONAL
• This is the most recognized and accepted type of
  accreditation in the United States.
• Most regionally accredited schools will accept
  credits and degrees from other regionally
  accredited schools, but some schools limit the
  types and amounts of credit they accept.
• Most regionally accredited schools will also
  accept credit for courses evaluated by American
  Council on Education (ACE).  ACE evaluates
  non-collegiate courses offered by schools,
  private industry, the military and others.

• NATIONALLY
• Accrediting agencies, often specializing in
  specific fields or certain kinds of education,
  also issue accreditation.
• Because these agencies do not address a specific
  region, they use the term nationally accredited.
• Distance education and Training Council (DETC) is
  recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Most regionally accredited schools will not
  accept credits from DETC and other nationally
  accredited schools, and many nationally
  accredited schools will not accept credits from
  their counterparts.

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Course Delivery Format

• Paper based
• Television (DVD or VCR)
• Video conferencing
• Online programs
• In the classroom (in some locations)

It doesnt matter how you receive your course
work. It should be in a format that works best
for you and your current work schedule and work
environment.
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SMART Transcripts

• Official document certifying military training
  and education for Marine Corps and Navy personnel
  for recommended college credit and is recognized
  by the American Council of Education (ACE).
• Credit recommendations are made to assist
  educational institutions in awarding proper
  credit for extra institutional learning while
  maintaining academic standards.

• Credit is given in the vocational certificate,
  lower division, and graduate degree categories as
  appropriate.
• Most branches of the military may receive credit
  based on their Military Occupational Specialty
  (MOS).
• In order to have a school evaluate your SMART
  Form, an Official SMART Transcript must be sent
  to the school.

HTTPS//WWW.SMART.NAVY.MIL
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Test to Earn College Credit

• Utilizing CLEP and DANTES testing, you can
• Earn college credit without having to take a
  college course
• Save time and money
• Complete your degree faster
• Many colleges and universities accept as transfer
  credit

• Available at National Test Centers
• Camp Lejeune
• Check with your Lifelong Learning education
  counselor on availability overseas
• Check with your LOCAL military education center
  for availability if you are currently stateside

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Types of Exams

• CLEP General Examination These tests measure
  college level achievement in five main areas
  English Composition, Humanities, Mathematics,
  Natural Science, and Social Sciences and History.
  Colleges may award up to 6 semester hours of
  college credit. 
• CLEP Subject Examinations These exams are
  available in 9 different subject areas. The
  colleges may award three or more semester hours
  of credit for each test successfully passed.

• DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSSTs) The
  DSSTs cover both college level subject matter and
  vocational/technical matter. Tests are available
  in 37 subject areas. Colleges may award you up
  to three semester hours of college credit for
  each test successfully passed. 
• Excelsior College Examinations Excelsior
  College Examinations are used to meet specific
  college degree requirements and are accepted for
  credit by nearly 900 educational institutions
  worldwide.

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Refresher Courses

• Many adult students who start college after being
  out of school for a few years feel a bit rusty in
  the basic subjects such as math and English.
• Many schools have assessment tools, such as
  placement testing, to help students gauge whether
  they need to sharpen their skills in certain
  areas.
• If you feel that you need to take a refresher
  course, please check with your Lifelong Learning
  education counselor on availability in your
  location.
• Military personnel can use military tuition
  assistance to take a refresher/developmental
  course if indicated (based on placement test
  results from a college/university).
• Being prepared for college level courses is what
  is MOST important.

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Tuition Assistance
Please make sure you read over our website fully
in order to understand all the necessary steps to
use military TA. Be sure to visit all of our
links to find out more about the services we
offer.

• While using military TA, you must maintain an
  average GPA of 2.0 (If in a masters program, the
  GPA must be 3.0)
• You must be degree seeking through an accredited
  school to use military TA

• The program is for Active duty military personnel
  only
• You must have command approval in order to
  participate in the program
• All paperwork must be received by the Camp
  Lejeune staff before the first day of the
  schools TERM.

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Navy TA Policy

• All Sailors should be familiar with NavAdmin
  161/07 (Jun 07) 042/08 (Feb 08)
• Passed Physical Fitness Test (or be medically
  waived)
• Passed most recent advancement exam
• Must be recommended for promotion
• No longer use TA for duplicate degrees
• 16 semester hours limitation
• Cannot be under instruction in initial skills
  training or in a duty under instruction (DUINS)
  training status
• Sailors who have been awarded non-judicial or
  courts-martial punishment in the previous six
  months shall not be authorized TA or NCPACE
  courses

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Funding an Education

• Your first stop should be the military tuition
  assistance office.
• You can use alternate means of financial aid to
  supplement your military TA (or replace your
  military TA if you are currently not qualified).
• It is important that you understand the different
  types of financial aid that are available. You
  want to look for grants, which is aid that
  students do not have to pay back.
• Eligibility for financial aid is determined by a
  standard formula that produces an Expected Family
  Contribution (EFC). How much each student will
  receive depends upon the familys EFC, the cost
  of the education, and the amount of courses the
  student is taking.
• A student should not have to use all of their
  military TA, their entire MGIB, and a student
  loan to complete a degree this should be a red
  flag if the school is telling you that you have
  to do this!

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VA Programs

• MGIB Top-Up
• Must be used in conjunction with military TA
• Used to pay any portion of tuition not covered by
  military tuition assistance (Student share on TA
  Authorization Form)
• Must have 24 months time in service to utilize
• Lose a portion of MGIB each time used
• MGIB Buy-Up
• Read MARADMIN 208/01
• Contribute additional 600 to receive 150 per
  month for 36 months
• All other MGIB rules apply

• Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)
• Participating educational program
• For personnel who first entered ACDU on or after
  1 July 1985
• Pay in 1200 for 36 months of entitlement
• Must have 24 months time in service in order to
  utilize
• Must use within 10 years of exiting active duty
• Internet Information at www.mgib.va.gov
• Contact VA about education at [phone]

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Apprenticeship Program

• Department of Labor (DOL) registered apprentices
  learn the practical and theoretical aspects of a
  highly skilled occupation through a combination
  of on-the-job training and related classroom
  instruction.
• The USMAP provides DOL registered apprenticeships
  to active duty service members. 
• This program is free and requires NO off-duty
  hours.
• You receive national recognition as a DOL
  apprentice.
• Documented proof of work experience.
• DOL registered apprentices are sought after by
  employers.
• You will receive a certificate from the
  Department of Labor and North Carolina.
• Retired military and reservists are ineligible.
• You can register if you
• Are active duty Marine Corps, Navy, or Coast
  Guard and
• Have sufficient time to complete the program
  while on active duty and
• Possess a high school diploma or GED and
• Are assigned a primary MOS, and performing duties
  in, an authorized apprenticeship trade billet.

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TROOPS TO TEACHERS

• This program assists eligible military personnel
  to transition to a new career as public school
  teachers in targeted schools. State TTT Offices
  have been established to provide participants
  with counseling and assistance regarding
  certification requirements, routes to state
  certification, and employment leads.
• Pending availability of funds, financial
  assistance may be provided to eligible
  individuals
• Participants who accept the Stipend or Bonus must
  agree to teach for three years in targeted
  schools in accordance with the authorizing
  legislation.
• The TTT homepage provides information and
  resource links. To access the homepage, visit
  www.dantes.doded.mil and select Troops To
  Teacher

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Conclusion
If you have ANY questions, please do not hesitate
to e-mail the office or give us a call.
Be sure to bookmark our website www.mccslejeune.c
om/LLL/deployed.html to ensure that you always
have access to the most up-to-date forms and
changes for military tuition assistance. Complete
the certificate on the next page and send it in
to our office with your TA Request Form.
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Completion Certificate
This certificate verifies that
Rank and Full Name
has successfully completed the online College 101
Orientation Course and fully understands all
information provided
Completed on
While stationed at
Duty Location
Date
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The purpose of education is to replace an empty
mind with an open one.
Malcolm S. Forbes