MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Marines looking to use tuition assistance to offset college fees now need to get schooled up first.
A recently published Marine Administrative Message outlines new standards Marines must meet before the benefit can be applied. According to MARADMIN 461/03, "All first-time students must complete a 'tuition assistance orientation' class (College 101) prior to using TA"
College-bound Marines, though, shouldn't be concerned about passing grades. The class, which takes just a few hours, is a "how-to" seminar on ensuring tuition assistance is paying the bills.
"It is basically a rundown of what is offered at different educational institutions aboard Camp Pendleton and also what type of TA benefits (students) have and how to process TA to ensure there are no blunders," said Pat Jeffress, branch manager for Lifelong Learning at Marine Corps Community Services, Personal Services Division.
Gunnery Sgt. Dexter O. Cash, a road master with 1st Marine Division, said he avoided a great deal of frustration with this short class.
"I would have had to stumble through a lot of different things, not knowing what was available to me to help me," Cash said.
Only one group is exempt from the new stipulation.
"Marines who have already attended college classes do not need to attend a College 101 brief," Jeffress said.
The message also states that Marines with a General Technology score of 99 and below must complete the Test of Adult Basic Education with scores of 10.2 or higher to receive tuition assistance. Otherwise, Marines must complete the Military Academic Skills Program prior to receiving tuition assistance.
The Military Academic Skills Program is more than just an after-work self-improvement seminar.
"Once a Marine receives permission to take the MASP course, he or she will be assigned to the Joint Education Center for four weeks, five days a week," Jeffress said. The course runs the entire day, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Jeffress added that Marines who have to take the MASP should view it not as a hindrance but a valuable, educational experience.
"Anything that enhances your education is not a waste of time," Cash said.
"We've seen some really huge increases with the MASP program. Reading and comprehension levels have gone up, sometimes four grades" Jeffress added.
Some Marines have mixed emotions, though.
"You want to make sure you start off on equal ground with everybody else," said Lance Cpl. Andrea D. Cason, an administrative clerk with 1st Force Service Support Group's G-3, citing the benefit of the program.
She also noted the drawback. "Nobody wants to sit in a classroom for eight hours," she said.
But not everyone needs a GT of 100 or better.
Once again, Marines who have already taken college classes prior to the date the MARADMIN was signed do not need to retake any tests, according to Jeffress.
But Marines must choose a major early on their schooling to keep receiving TA.
"To continue using TA, Marines must have a written degree plan before exceeding 12-semester-hour equivalent courses," the order states.
Some feel more time should be allotted.
"That's one semester basically," said Lance Cpl. Brian Reid, an operations clerk with Marine Air Logistics Squadron 39. "You could change your mind. If you are locked into something, you shouldn't have to keep doing it just for tuition assistance."