Need help putting the pieces together when it comes to your educational goal? The Education Center has education specialists who can offer academic guidance to active-duty service members, dependents, and DoD personnel who need assistance preparing for college.

For more information contact us at:
(928) 269-3248 or 269-5614
yuma_edcenter@usmc.mil

MARINE CORPS TA PROGRAM

Marine Corps Tuition Assistance (TA) offers financial assistance to service members who elect to pursue higher education. TA will fund up to $250 per semester hour or equivalent with a maximum of $4,500 per fiscal year. TA may be used for high school equivalency, vocational/technical certification, Associate, Baccalaureate, and Master/Professional degrees. However, funding will not be authorized for duplicate degrees, double majors, or degrees lower than currently held by the service member. The only exception is service members are eligible to obtain one certificate regardless of degree(s) currently held. View FY25 TA Guidelines and Regulations for more information. 

STEPS TO START THE TUITION ASSISTANCE PROCESS

STEP 1: TA Brief
The first step is to complete the Tuition Assistance brief either in person or online.

IN-PERSON
The in-person brief is offered every Wednesday at the Education Center, BLDG 850 from 10am-11:30am on a walk-in basis. Please arrive early as seating is limited.

ONLINE
If you are not able to come in person, the TA brief may be completed on MarineNet.

1. Search for the "MFRPRETA01 Tuition Assistance Brief".
2. Once you complete the TA brief, email a copy of the MarineNet TA Brief Certificate of Completion to yuma_edcenter@usmc.mil.

STEP 2: Career Assessment
Career Path Decide is a career assessment designed to improve service members' access to information about civilian careers, their knowledge, skill, and ability gaps, as well as available education and professional development opportunities. Complete the Career Path Decide career assessment.

STEP 3: Personal Education Folder (PEF)
Complete all sections of the Personal Education Folder (PEF). Once complete, save the PEF as a PDF and email it to yuma_edcenter@usmc.mil.

STEP 4: Counseling Appointment
Once the Education Office receives your PEF, an Education Advisor will email you for an academic counseling appointment, so please check your email and respond if that appointment will work for you or if you need a different appointment time.

TUITION ASSISTANCE (TA) APPLICATION

As long as you meet all of the TA eligibility requirements, you may apply for TA online after your academic and career counseling appointment. Please follow the WEB TA Instructions to assist you with your application process.

You can research schools using TA Decide, College Navigator, College Scorecard, and the school’s website.

TA DECIDE
TA Decide assists you in searching for schools based on name, location, degree level, major, accreditation, and more.

College Navigator
College Navigator assists you in searching for schools based on name, location, degree level, institution type, and programs.

College Scorecard
College Scorecard lets you search and compare colleges by their fields of study, costs, admissions, results, and more.

Arizona Western College
Arizona Western College is a 2-year community college that offers occupational certificates and associate degrees. They offer classes on the station, online, and throughout Yuma County. AWC has an office on station in the Education Center. View more information or stop by their office:

Education Center, Bldg. 850, Room #112
Phone: (928) 317-7605 or (928) 317-7626
Email: military.services@azwestern.edu
Open: Mon-Thurs: 8am - 4pm; Fri: 8am - Noon

National University
Coming soon!

Did you know some of your military training has been evaluated by the American Council of Education (ACE) for college credit? Access the JST website and log in with your CAC to view your transcripts and request your JST be sent to your school for evaluation.

JST Video 

JST Booklet

JST Flier

The College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP) offers you the opportunity to earn college credit for what you already know by taking any of the 33 introductory-level college subject exams.

DSST exams are college subject tests you can take to earn college credit for knowledge you acquired outside of a traditional classroom. There are 38 subject exams to select from in disciplines such as Business, Humanities, Mathematics, Physical Science, and more.

Because the exams are funded by DANTES, you could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars towards your degree.

1. EBSCO Learning Express DoD Test Prep allows you to:
   • Prepare for military tests
   • Study for the DSST®, SAT®, IELTS™ and TOEFL iBT® tests
   • Brush up on math, science, reading, writing, grammar and computer skills
   • Prepare for high school equivalency exams ― 
     • GED®, HiSET® and TASC™
     • Access resources to help Service members transition to civilian careers.
     • Discover careers that match your interests and skills.
     • Prepare for career certification exams in a wide range of occupations, including air traffic controller, firefighter, electrician, border patrol, and many more.
     • Search for jobs and internships.
2. SAT Test Prep
3. ACT Test Prep

Military Classification Testing

The Education Center proctors the following Military Classification tests:

AFCT
The Armed Forces Classification Test (aka ASVAB) is a comprehensive test that measures knowledge of science, math, vocabulary, reading, mechanics, electronics, auto mechanics, and clerical skills. This test is used by all branches of the military as a predictor of success when working in a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS).

DLAB
The Defense Language Aptitude Battery is a test that measures a service member's ability to learn a foreign language.

DLPT
The DLPT (Defense Language Proficiency Test) is designed for individuals who are already fluent in a specific foreign language needed by the military.

OPI
The Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) is a standardized procedure for the global assessment of functional speaking ability. It is a telephonic interview between a certified American Council on Teaching Foreign Languages (ACTFL) tester and an examinee that determines how well a person speaks a language.

Please contact the Education Center for testing dates and times and registration information.

College Exams

The Education Center offers free college exam proctoring services to active-duty, family members, retirees, and civilians aboard MCAS Yuma. Please call (928) 269-3248 for registration information.

Career Development Course (CDC) Assessments

The Education Center proctors Career Development Course assessments for firefighters aboard MCAS Yuma. Please call (928) 269-3248 for testing dates and times and registration information.

USMAP Benefits

• Program is free and requires no off-duty hours
• Receive national recognition as a DOL apprentice
• Have documented proof of work experience
• DOL registered apprentices are sought after by employers

* The Education Center provides a USMAP brief which can be given to units at their location or at the Education Center, BLDG 850. Please contact (928) 269-3589 for more information.

Marine Corps COOL (Credentialing Opportunities On-Line) helps Marines find information on certifications and licenses related to their Military Occupational Specialties (MOS). COOL explains how Marines can meet civilian certification and license requirements and provides links to numerous resources to help get them started. COOL can also help you understand ways to get a credential or complete your education in order to maximize your professional development. To get started go to Marine Corps COOL and follow the four steps.

The Education Center offers a monthly GI Bill brief that covers the MGIB and Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, the application process utilizing the GI Bill Comparison Tool, and the transfer of benefits requirements. Please contact the Education Center for registration information and the dates and times of the briefs.

View the links below to access information about the MGIB, post-9/11 GI Bill, the application process, and the GI Bill Comparison Tool.

MGIB
Post 9/11
GI Bill Application
GI Bill Comparison Tool

Federal Financial Aid
In order to qualify for financial aid, most academic institutions require students to complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA can be completed online at studentaid.gov. Please be aware that individual institutions have their own deadline. Remember to renew your application annually to receive new assistance or continue to receive assistance.

The Education Center also provides a FAFSA brief. Please contact (928) 269-3589 for the date and time of the next brief.

Scholarships
The Education Office has created a Financial Aid and Scholarships Guide. Please contact (928) 269-3589 or email yuma_edcenter@usmc.mil to receive your free copy.

Military OneSource provides spouse tuition assistance up to $4000 for eligible spouses in pursuit or maintenance of a license, certification, or associate degree necessary to gain employment in an occupation of career field. For more information, download the MyCAA flier.

The Marine Corps Leadership Scholar Program (LSP) identifies high-achieving Marines seeking to transition and participate in the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Program (MECEP) or the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer Degree Completion Program (SNCODCP) with academic preparation and application assistance to highly selective colleges and universities.

1. Contact the Education Center at (928) 269-3589 to learn the steps on how to apply for the Leadership Scholar Program.
2. Submit documents — submit every transcript, any award, letters of recommendation, and other similar documents.
3. Follow advice — if we tell a Marine to take calculus and get an "A," we really mean it. 
4. Keep in Contact — call and email your LSP contact regularly. There is never a time when a Marine is bothering an LSP point-of-contact, ever.
5. Don't settle — every top school is on the table!
6. Get into a great school — we will work to find the Marine the right fit.