Tuition Statistics
In FY09, the total Marine Corps population was 202,786 service members. Of that
group, 30,739 utilized tuition assistance (
an increase of 5,485, or 21.7% over FY08),
receiving $48,106,577 dollars (
for almost an 8% increase over FY08). This
means that only 15% of the current Marine Corps population is utilizing the TA benefit.
The percentage increases realized from FY08 to FY09 add evidence that Academic
Explorer is an extremely useful and valuable tool for counselors, Marines and their
family members to research, locate and connect with a school to get enrolled and
further their education.
The table below provides a breakout and comparison of the enrollments and TA dollars
spent at the various levels of education in FY08 and FY09.
|
Level
|
FY08 Enrollments
|
FY09 Enrollments
|
FY08 Cost ($)
|
FY09 Cost ($)
|
|
Developmental
|
102
|
102
|
26,615
|
21,875
|
|
Vocational
|
2,041
|
2,278
|
5,771,469
|
5,277,598
|
|
Lower
|
51,903
|
54,648
|
27,242,830
|
30,484,040
|
|
Upper
|
12,655
|
12,787
|
8,130,111
|
8,622,253
|
|
Graduate
|
4,511
|
4,880
|
3,339,454
|
3,700,811
|
|
Totals
|
71,212
|
74,695
|
44,570,479
|
48,106,577
|
Level Definitions:
- Developmental – Developmental courses are designed for students who need additional
basic skills training or academic preparation to enable them to succeed in regular
college-level courses or programs.
- Vocational - Vocational/technical courses are geared towards achieving employment
rather than academic study. They offer specialized practical education instead of
a college degree.
- Lower – Coursework that is offered in the first two years of an undergraduate program
or an associate’s degree. Lower level programs are coursework in the 100 and 200
levels.
- Upper – Coursework that is offered in the last two years of an undergraduate program
or bachelor’s degree. Upper level courses are usually in the 300 and 400 levels.
- Graduate – Coursework offered at the graduate/PhD level. These courses are generally
coursework with numbers in the 500 and 600 levels.
Some important items to note about TA requirements are:
- Vocational /Technical Programs are available to all service members who currently
hold less than an associate’s level degree or have never completed a certificate
program.
- Programs of study must be higher than what the service member has currently attained.
- All active duty service members are authorized up to 100% of tuition, not to exceed
$4,500 per year and $250 per semester hour, $166.67 per quarter hour and $16.67
per clock hour.
- All institutions must have proper accreditation that is recognized by the Department
of Education.
-
All institutions posting certificate and degree programs on Academic Explorer are
properly accredited.