College/Technical Training

Six colleges are represented on New River: Coastal Carolina Community College, Campbell University, Embrey-Riddle Aeronautical University, Southern Illinois University, University of North Carolina-Wilmington, and Webster University. The Education Office gives family members help on finding scholarships, educational loans and grants.

Service Members Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Agreements

The SOC is a consortium of more than 1500 public and private colleges and universities, as well as higher education associations established to assist Marines and Sailors in earning a college degree despite geographic and institutional obstacles. The SOC Criteria stipulate that institutional policies and practices are fair, equitable, and effective in recognizing the special and often limiting conditions faced by military students.

A home college is the SOCMAR college where you begin your studies and complete the minimum academic residency (i.e. the number of their courses needed to qualify for their degree). The home college evaluates your military and other learning experiences, combining them all into a SOCMAR Student Agreement that serves as your contract-for-degree. Then you have completed your study plan, either with your home college or, if you get transferred, at another SOCMAR college, the home college awards you a degree.

SMART Transcripts

Marine Corps and Navy Personnel have an official document certifying military training and education for recommended college credit. This form is called the Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART). The Marine Corps and Navy have developed SMART jointly. SMART is an official transcript endorsing and recommending college credit for military education and training and is recognized by the American Council of Education (ACE). The previous version of this form was the DD-295. In some cases, service members who have more than ten years on active duty might still require the DD-295. Please see an education counselor for more information regarding this form.

United States Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP)

Underwritten agreement between the United States Military Apprenticeship Program and the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, a growing number of military skills can lead to certification of completion of an apprenticeship in jobs comparable to civilian fields.

An apprenticeship is a structured system of supervised training leading to certification in a designated trade, occupation, or craft. An apprentice is a person who works in a trade occupation or craft under an agreement or contract and under the supervision of a qualified tradesperson. The apprentice learns the knowledge, skills, tools, and materials of the trade, occupation, or craft through a combination of on-the-job training along with related study and in-school instruction.

Testing

Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is authorized by DoD to conduct various Military Classification Tests, DANTES Testing Programs, various National Certification Examinations, and the proctoring of various exams for universities involved with Distant Learning outside the Camp Lejeune area. Personnel who are taking College Entrance exams (i.e. ACT/SAT) and other military classification tests to qualify for a military program should take them at least eight (8) weeks prior to the application deadline (particularly for Officer Candidate Programs). Rush scoring does not exist for ACT/SAT or any Military Classification Tests. All tests are scheduled by appointment only!

Military Academics Skills Program (MASP)

The MASP was developed to improve the competencies of active duty enlisted personnel in the academic skills of reading, communication/writing, and mathematics. In turn, Marines will be better prepared to retake the Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT) and to perform their mission. The MASP has replaced the Basic Skills Education Program (BSEP).

Any servicemen that wish to enroll in the MASP must pick up a packet of information from the Lifelong Learning Center. The information packet contains pages that must be routed through the service member's chain-of-command. Once approved and signed, the paperwork is returned to the Lifelong Learning Center and the service member is scheduled to take a pre-test.

The Lejeune - New River Education Centers are the primary education office for adult education programs at Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River which operate under the cognizance of Marine Corps Community Services and Headquarters Marine Corps. We welcome the opportunity to assist any and every service member, dependent, and civilian employee of Camp Lejeune and New River. No appointment is needed to speak with a counselor.

Tuition Assistance (TA)

TA programs make it possible for service members to afford educational opportunities. TA funds are authorized for study toward a diploma, credentials, certificates, or degrees at an academic level higher than that currently held by the service member.

TA is authorized for off-duty studies that are offered by institutions whose accrediting bodies are recognized by the Department of Education (DoEd) and listed in the American Council on Education (ACE) AIPE Manual.

TA funds are authorized up to 100% of your tuition and mandatory course fees only (i.e. lab fees, computer fees, etc.). Mandatory course enrollment fees are those refundable fees charged by the institution that is directly related to the enrollment in a specific course offered by the institution. It does not cover the cost of books, application fees, registration fees, or graduation fees. Consult with a counselor on the eligible courses and length of time for courses.

Military members can apply for TA at the following locations:

• Active duty Contact local base education center
• I&I Duty Marines Apply through MARFORRES, New Orleans
• Recruiters Contact your district headquarters

Veteran Affairs (VA) Programs

For information on VA educational programs visit the VA satellite office located aboard Camp Lejeune in Building 501, on the corner of McHugh Boulevard and "N" Street (across from the Consolidated Post Office). Their phone number is 910-451-0801.

Contact the John A. Lejeune Education Center for information on adult education opportunities that may be available on base.