The Navy has five Voluntary Education programs, which are all part of the Navy's 5 Vector Model for career development. The Naval Education and Training Command plays a big part in ensuring all Navy personnel achieve their education and career goals by managing several education and training programs. The following is a summary of these five education support and other programs available to Navy personnel:
- Navy Advanced Education Voucher
- Tuition Assistance
- Servicemembers Opportunity College ( SOCNAV)
- College-At-Sea (NCPACE)
- Seaman to Admiral (STA-21)
- Navy Marine Corps Relief Society Grants
- Other Navy Education Benefit Programs
The Navy Advanced Education Voucher Program (AEV)
The Naval Education and Training Command's Advanced Education Voucher program is designed to provide advanced education opportunities for senior enlisted personnel E-7 through E-9.
The Advanced Education Voucher Program is aimed at superior performers who have the potential for continued upward mobility, and specifically targets assistance for post secondary, Navy-relevant degree programs. The program, which is part of the recently announced Professional Military Education Continuum, supports baccalaureate and master's degree completion in designated areas of study through off-duty education.
AEV for baccalaureate degree completion will cover 100 percent of tuition, books and related fees. Each participant will be limited to 6,700 dollars per year for a maximum of 36 months from the date of Enrollment.
AEV for the master’s degree program will cover 100 percent tuition, books and related fees up to a maximum of 20,000 dollars per year for Up to 24 months from the date of enrollment. Total program costs per participant will not exceed 40,000 dollars.
Senior enlisted personnel who are currently enrolled in a qualifying post-secondary degree program using tuition assistance, or other financial assistance programs, are eligible to apply under the AEV program.
Click here for more on the Navy's AEV Program.
Tuition Assistance
If you are Active Duty, the Navy will pay up to 100% of your college tuition. The following limits apply:
-$250 per Semester Credit Hour
-12 Semester Credit Hours per Year
In addition to tuition the Navy will pay published fees that are mandatory, and charged for course enrollment.
Visit the Navy Tuition Assistance Program Overview to get more details.
SOCNAV
SOCNAV is the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) degree program for the NAVY.
- SOCNAV consists of colleges that offer associate and bachelor's degree programs on or accessible to NAVY installations worldwide.
- SOCNAV colleges form networks in which each college accepts credits from all the others.
SOCNAV guarantees that you and your adult family members can continue toward completion of your degrees even though the Navy may transfer you several times. There are also degrees available by distance learning that require no classroom residency.
Click here for more details on how to enroll in SOCNAV.
The Navy College-At-Sea (NCPACE)
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 Joseph's 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
Click here for more on the Navy's College-at-Sea.
Navy Seaman to Admiral (STA-21)
The Navy's Seaman to Admiral Program is a commissioning program in which Sailors keep their benefits, pay, and privileges while they receive a scholarship to attend college to earn their degree and their commission as a Naval officer. Visit the STA-21 Navy commissioning program overview for more details.
The Navy Maine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) 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:
- Enlisted Commissioning Program
- Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program
- 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.
Click here for more on the Adm. Boorda Grant.
Spouse Tuition Aid Program (STAP)
The Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) offers STAP to your spouse if you are on active duty and 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.
Amounts Granted
- Undergraduate level maximum of $300 @ semester and $1500 @ year.
- Graduate level maximum of $350 @ semester and $1750 @ year.
To request an application form and information about deadlines, contact one of the following NMCRS offices: Guam, Guantanamo Bay, London, Naples, Okinawa, Roosevelt Roads, Rota, Sigonella, or Yokosuk
Click here for more on STAP.VADM E.P. Travers Scholarship and Loan Program
To apply, you must be the spouse of an active duty member or the dependent child of an active or retired member of the Navy or Marine Corps. You must also be a full time undergraduate student at an accredited college or university.
- 1000 grants are awarded each academic year at $2000 each.
- Applicants are also evaluated for an interest-free student loan of up to $3000.
- The loan repayment begins within 30 days of award and must be repaid by allotment within 24 months.
- Application deadline is 1 March of each year.
- Late applications will not be considered for the scholarship; however they will be evaluated for a loan.
Click here for more details on the Adm. Travers Scholarship.
Other Navy Education Benefit Programs
The Navy College Fund
Also known as an MGIB Kicker, the Navy College Fund is available to those who sign up for the MGIB. If you're a high school graduate, score a 50 or better on the ASVAB, and qualify for certain Navy jobs or apprenticeships, upon enlistment, you can get more than $15,000 in addition to your MGIB money for your education.
Click here for more on the Navy College Fund.Student Loan Repayment Program (LRP)
If you are a college student or graduate who qualifies for the Loan Repayment Program (LRP), the Navy will pay, upon enlistment, up to $65,000 of your student loans for a college level education.
Click here for more information on the Navy Student Loan Repayment Program.Navy College Assistance/Student Headstart (NAVY-CASH)
You may apply for the Navy CASH program if you are a motivated high school or college student who qualifies for the Nuclear Field. The program will allow you to receive full Navy pay and benefits while attending college for up to 12 months if you are accepted.
Click here for more information Navy CASH Program.
Accelerate to Excellence Pilot Program
Commander, Navy Recruiting Command (CNRC) and Commander, Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) are starting to see interest grow in a pilot program, launched May 1, 2007, that allows enlistees to obtain an associates degree through a community or junior college as part of their initial rate training.
Called "Accelerate to Excellence," the program is expected to sign up 100 people in the first year. The program allows enlistees to enroll in community college while in the Delayed Entry Program (DEP) and get paid a monthly stipend by the Navy. The enlistees are expected to eventually earn an associates degree prior to reporting to their first permanent duty station. The initial pilot program will be focused on recruiting from Texas and Florida.
Click here to learn more about the Accelerate to Excellence pilot program.
