A Guide to Military Education- The Marine Corp, part 1.

Marine Corps Education Programs

 

Marine Deployed Education Programs:

The purpose of the Marine Deployed Education program is to provide undergraduate level courses to afloat Marines, MCB Camp Pendleton and MCAS Cherry Point developed MOUs with academic institutions. Qualified Marines with the proper units provide the instruction. Courses are provided by Park University and Central Texas College. The academic institutions identify and employ qualified marine instructors to teach courses. Marines receive instruction according to the deployment schedule and pay tuition according to the standard tuition assistance policy. Not what your looking for instead view information on Marine Corps Tuition Assistance or view Top Marine Corps Schools. Still not what your looking for? Return to Military Education Guide.

Marine Library Program
The mission of the Marine Corps General Library Program, a component of the Lifelong Learning Program, is to assemble, organize, preserve and make easily and freely available to all service personnel, balanced and unbiased collections of library materials (print and non-print), and accompanying library services. The Marine Corps General Library Program is specifically attuned to the interests and requirements of Marine Corps personnel and to the missions and tasks of commands.

Visit the Marine Corps Library Program for more information.

Military Academic Skills Programs (MASP)
The Military Academic Skills Programs was developed to improve the competencies of active duty enlisted personnel in the academic skills of reading, communication/writing, and mathematics.

Visit the Marine Academic Skills Program website for more information.

Tuition Assistance for the Marine Corps
If you are Active Duty, the Marine Corps will pay up to 100% of your college Tuition.

Visit Marine Corps Tuition Assistance for more information.

US MAP
The USMAP is the largest apprenticeship program sponsor registered with the United States Department of Labor. It provides 126 occupations. From program inception, nearly 20,000 Marines and Sailors have completed their Certificates of Apprenticeship.

Visit the US MAP website for more information.

SMART Transcripts
SMART is an official transcript endorsing and recommending college credit for military education and training and recognized by the American Council on Education (ACE). The Marine Corps and the Navy have developed SMART jointly. Marine Corps and Navy Personnel have an official document certifying military training and education for recommended college credit called the Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART).

For more information, visit the SMART Transcripts website.

SOCMAR
SOCMAR is the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) degree program for the Marines.

• SOCMAR consists of colleges that offer associate and bachelor's degree programs on or accessible to Navy and Marine installations worldwide.
• SOCMAR colleges form networks in which each college accepts credits from all the others.

SOCMAR guarantees that you and your adult family members can continue toward completion of your degrees even though the Marine Corps may transfer you several times. There are also degrees available by distance learning that require no classroom residency.

Visit the SOCMAR website for more information.

The Navy College-at-Sea Program (NCPACE)

NCPACE is a part of the Navy College Program. NCPACE gives you the opportunity to experience challenging education while on sea duty assignments preparing you for personal and professional growth. Both academic skills and college (undergraduate and graduate) courses are available through NCPACE. NCPACE college courses are provided by the following regionally accredited colleges and universities:

• Central Texas College
• Chapman University
• Coastline Community College
• Excelsior College
• The George Washington University
• Old Dominion University
• St Leo University
• St Josephs College of Main
• Troy State University
• University of Oklahoma
• Citrus College
• Dallas Community College
• ECPI College of Technology
• Empire State College
• Fort Hays State University

Other Marine Corps Education Benefits

The Marine Corps College Fund
If you complete an active duty contract of at least 48 months, you may become eligible for the Marine Corps College Fund. In combination with the Montgomery GI Bill, it provides almost all of the funding necessary for your college education. Recipients of the fund can get up to $50,000 for college

Navy (Marine Option) Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Scholarship
The NROTC Program was established to educate and train qualified young men and women for service as commissioned officers in the Marine Corps Reserve.

• The four-year option covers full tuition at certain selected colleges and universities. The scholarship also includes the cost of educational fees, a stipend for textbooks, uniforms and a subsistence allowance for each academic month for which a student is enrolled.
• The two-year option covers costs of tuition, fees, textbooks, and uniforms for the final two years of college. This option is open to all college students having completed their sophomore year or third year of a five-year program. The students enrolled under the two-year option must complete eight years of military service, four of which must be in active duty.

The Navy Marine Corps Relief Society Sponsored Programs

The Admiral Mike Boorda Seaman-to-Admiral Educational Assistance Program
The Admiral Mike Boorda Seaman-to-Admiral Educational Assistance Program offers grants and/or interest-free loans of up to $2,000 a year to eligible active duty servicemembers accepted to the following programs:

1. Enlisted Commissioning Program
2. Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program
3. Medical Enlisted Commissioning Program

The Program is also open if you are a Midshipman who has been released from active duty for immediate assignment to the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Program. Application is made through the Commanding Officer of the NROTC Unit, or by contacting NMCRS Headquarters.

For more information visit the Adm. Boorda Education Program website. Or visit the website for the application.

Spouse Tuition Aid Program (STAP)
The Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) offers STAP to your spouse if you are an active duty servicemember stationed in an overseas (OCONUS) location. Your spouse may be a full or part-time student studying toward a vocational certificate or an undergraduate or graduate degree. 


For more information visit the STAP website and Spouse and Family Educational Assistance Programs.