thedrifter
09-20-09, 08:41 AM
Tuition assistance lends a helping hand
9/18/2009 By Lance Cpl. Zachary Majors , Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
The military offers service members preparing to pursue higher education help with paying tuition fees through the Tuition Assistance Program.
The program gives service members $4,500 each fiscal year to pay educational program bills. However, thousands of dollars in tuition assistance go unused every year, explained Gunnery Sgt. Joshua Soliz, the education services officer for Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
Service members wishing to use the tuition assistance program must first attend a “College 101” course. The course takes place every Wednesday and Friday at 11:30 a.m. in the education center, located in The Hub.
This course explains how to use the assistance and what pitfalls to avoid.
Service members should begin research and decide what educational path they want to take after attending College 101. They should also research multiple schools prior to visiting the education office so they can ask more specific questions, explained Soliz.
Service members do not have to use the tuition assistance exclusively for college courses. The assistance could cover certificates and licensing courses, such as a commercial driver’s license course, Microsoft certifications or a fiber optics technician course, explained Soliz.
The Education Center must approve the schools that offer the certification before granting the assistance.
“The tuition assistance program has been around for awhile,” said Soliz, “Most institutions in the area have already been approved. You come to us with the program and we will do our best to get you there.”
When choosing a school, service members should be aware of “degree mills,” or “scam schools,” that offer bachelor’s degrees in two moths, explained Soliz.
“As Marines we have an occupation, but we are all going to retire one day,” said Lance Cpl. Michael McDonell, an aviation technician for Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11. “In order to pursue others avenues of life, service members need to be prepared for the day that they do get out. Getting an education now will better prepare them for their future.”
For information about the program service members may call the education office at 858-577-1801, or visit the Marine Corps Community Service’s tuition assistance Web site at www.usmc-mccs.org.
Ellie
9/18/2009 By Lance Cpl. Zachary Majors , Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
The military offers service members preparing to pursue higher education help with paying tuition fees through the Tuition Assistance Program.
The program gives service members $4,500 each fiscal year to pay educational program bills. However, thousands of dollars in tuition assistance go unused every year, explained Gunnery Sgt. Joshua Soliz, the education services officer for Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
Service members wishing to use the tuition assistance program must first attend a “College 101” course. The course takes place every Wednesday and Friday at 11:30 a.m. in the education center, located in The Hub.
This course explains how to use the assistance and what pitfalls to avoid.
Service members should begin research and decide what educational path they want to take after attending College 101. They should also research multiple schools prior to visiting the education office so they can ask more specific questions, explained Soliz.
Service members do not have to use the tuition assistance exclusively for college courses. The assistance could cover certificates and licensing courses, such as a commercial driver’s license course, Microsoft certifications or a fiber optics technician course, explained Soliz.
The Education Center must approve the schools that offer the certification before granting the assistance.
“The tuition assistance program has been around for awhile,” said Soliz, “Most institutions in the area have already been approved. You come to us with the program and we will do our best to get you there.”
When choosing a school, service members should be aware of “degree mills,” or “scam schools,” that offer bachelor’s degrees in two moths, explained Soliz.
“As Marines we have an occupation, but we are all going to retire one day,” said Lance Cpl. Michael McDonell, an aviation technician for Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11. “In order to pursue others avenues of life, service members need to be prepared for the day that they do get out. Getting an education now will better prepare them for their future.”
For information about the program service members may call the education office at 858-577-1801, or visit the Marine Corps Community Service’s tuition assistance Web site at www.usmc-mccs.org.
Ellie