MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Marines can use tuition assistance or the Montgomery GI Bill for more than the usual college courses.

There are many schools -- ranging from cosmetology to wooden boat building -- that Marines may attend using TA, according to Pat Jeffress, branch manager for Lifelong Learning at Marine Corps Community Services Personal Services Division.

"The first thing a student should do is check to see if the institution has national or regional accreditation," Jeffress said. "Next, students must check to see if the institution has been assigned a Navy College Management Code that is used for processing tuition assistance at Pensacola, Florida."

Jeffress said students shouldn't enroll prior to the institution being assigned a code. It could result in students not getting reimbursed.

The variety of courses allowed for TA and Montgomery GI Bill provides flexibility for Marines who choose something other than traditional education.

"The fact that I can actually use my benefits for a vocational school as opposed to a college or university is an opportunity I can't pass up," said Michael W. Day, a former Marine. "I'm going to pursue my pilot's license."