Voluntary Education

The Voluntary Education Program provides personal and professional learning opportunities to the Marine Corps community. Services and resources are provided by qualified counselors and advisors in cooperation with education service providers through individual and group counseling, workshops and training opportunities to include testing for college credit and pre-admission. Service members can also receive recommended college credit for military training and experience, take tests to earn college credits, complete a trade apprenticeship, and enroll in post-secondary education programs that lead to associate’s, bachelor’s, graduate and post graduate degrees.

Tuition Assistance

The Tuition Assistance Program is available at any duty station and participating can even help you earn bonus points toward promotion. While you’re on active duty, 100% of your tuition is covered at accredited institutions. If interested in postsecondary education, from vocational certification through graduate study, TA will fund up to 100% of institution charges for tuition, instructional fees, laboratory fees, computer fees and mandatory enrollment fees combined.¹  Combinations of the different educational levels will not exceed the fiscal cap. 

First-time students must complete a TA Orientation Class PRIOR to using TA. Marines at remote sites (non-Marine Corps installations) may access the Higher Education Preparation Course on Joint Knowledge Online.

TA for remote Marines and those assigned to other service sites is processed at Camp Lejeune/Cherry Point for those east of the Mississippi and Camp Pendleton for those west of the Mississippi. I-I duty Marines apply through MARFORRES, New Orleans. Recruiters apply via their recruiting district or region headquarters.

¹ Limits and exceptions apply. Please contact your local education officer for more details and assistance.

SkillBridge Employment Training Program

Marine Corps SkillBridge supports DoD initiatives that promote civilian job training available to transitioning military service members. The MARADMIN 350/18 and DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INSTRUCTION 1322.29 supports this voluntary program.  The Marine Corps SkillBridge initiative connexts Marines with available training, apprenticeships, and internship opportunities that offer a high pobability of employment for Marines who are separating; these services shall be provided at little or no cost to the Marine. With command approval, all Marines can participate in a SkillBridge program.