Making the Grade
Written by Kenya McCullum
CGF 2009 Volume: 1 Issue: 1 (November)
In order to help servicemembers pursue higher education, the Coast Guard has developed several programs that make it easier for military personnel to find the school that is right for them, pay tuition and choose an academic program they are interested in. The Coast Guard Institute, which supports and implements programs to assist members with their education, has been actively promoting these programs through communication efforts such as brochures, as well as by hiring staff that is committed to the academic success of servicemembers. The programs available to Coast Guard servicemembers give them all of the tools and information they need to become successful college graduates.
TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
To help promote education—and alleviate the financial concerns about the cost of tuition—the Coast Guard offers $4,500 per year in tuition assistance. These funds are available to active duty Coast Guard personnel, Reserve personnel and all civilian employees. In addition, the Coast Guard handles all tuition assistance applications, which allows students to concentrate on their education without getting entangled in mountains of bureaucratic red tape.
ACADEMIC ADVISING
The Coast Guard Institute provides services to its members to prepare them for their academic careers and help them adjust to college life. This is a much-needed service for military personnel, as many of them entered the military at a young age and do not have any experience with higher education. “Most of our customer base is that 18- to 24-year age group,” Monty Mathis, an educational services officer at Sector St. Petersburg. “We get some who may have had some school, but the majority of the people we deal with have absolutely no college so we approach it as an academic adviser to get them started in a program.”
In order to get these prospective students started in a higher education program, the Coast Guard develops degree plans for their members. These degree plans act as roadmaps that can determine how the courses Coast Guard members may have already taken during their careers translate into a college degree program. During this process, the Coast Guard evaluates all of the coursework that members have taken and gives them suggestions on degrees that they can pursue using those courses.
“Usually the degree plans are set up for individuals who come to an educational services office and say that they’re thinking about some college work and they aren’t quite sure how to get started and where to go,” said James Lis, education and professional development section chief. “Degree plans can be asked for at any point in a servicemember’s participation in the program, but generally it occurs in the first six months.” In addition, the Coast Guard also offers career counseling to its servicemembers for those who are looking to become an officer in the military. These members can receive information on how to advance in their careers, as well as receive advice on how to earn professional certifications or enroll in apprenticeship programs that will help them with their post-military careers.
TEST ADMINISTRATION AND PREPARATION
In order to get these prospective students started in a higher education program, the Coast Guard develops degree plans for their members. These degree plans act as roadmaps that can determine how the courses Coast Guard members may have already taken during their careers translate into a college degree program. During this process, the Coast Guard evaluates all of the coursework that members have taken and gives them suggestions on degrees that they can pursue using those courses.
“Usually the degree plans are set up for individuals who come to an educational services office and say that they’re thinking about some college work and they aren’t quite sure how to get started and where to go,” said James Lis, education and professional development section chief. “Degree plans can be asked for at any point in a servicemember’s participation in the program, but generally it occurs in the first six months.” In addition, the Coast Guard also offers career counseling to its servicemembers for those who are looking to become an officer in the military. These members can receive information on how to advance in their careers, as well as receive advice on how to earn professional certifications or enroll in apprenticeship programs that will help them with their post-military careers.
TEST ADMINISTRATION AND PREPARATION
The Coast Guard Institute is a certified DANTES test center and administers educational tests—such as DANTES standardized tests, CLEF, ACT, SAT and GMAT. In addition, the institute also administers all tests related to advancing up the ranks in a Coast Guard career. They also keep a catalog of these tests so that those who want to pursue higher education or rise up the ranks in the Coast Guard can have all of the information they need at their fingertips.
The institute also participates in the Online Academic Skills Course for Military Success, which members can participate in to receive extra help when studying for exams. Through this system, members can take practice exams and receive feedback on the areas where they need more preparation and take lessons to improve these areas.
PARTNERSHIPS WITH COLLEGES
The institute also participates in the Online Academic Skills Course for Military Success, which members can participate in to receive extra help when studying for exams. Through this system, members can take practice exams and receive feedback on the areas where they need more preparation and take lessons to improve these areas.
PARTNERSHIPS WITH COLLEGES
In order to help servicemembers find the right schools for their educational needs, the Coast Guard holds regular college fairs and smaller information sessions with schools. During these events, prospective students are able to speak directly to representatives from colleges that are military-friendly and receive the information that they need to choose the institution that is right for their interests and goals.
“I like to impress upon our Coasties that they should find a college that’s a good fit for them. If you feel good with a school, then go with that school,” said Mathis. “A lot of academic success is about how you feel about going to school. If you’re sitting in a class and you don’t like the way it feels, you’ll be pretty miserable, so you’ve got to be comfortable with the school that you choose and their delivery methods.”
Another characteristic that the Coast Guard emphasizes when giving its members information on what schools to choose is how flexible the institutions are in meeting the unique needs of military students. Schools that participate in the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges Degree Network Program for the Coast Guard offer that needed flexibility by accepting credits from other colleges, so that students don’t have to repeat coursework when they are moved around for their jobs.
HELP FOR SPOUSES
While spouses of Coast Guard members do not receive tuition assistance, they can receive counseling on how to pick the right schools for them at an affordable price. This service is an important way to serve Coast Guard families as a whole. “Our spouses are equally important because if our members’ spouses aren’t happy, then our members aren’t happy,” said Mathis. ♦
“I like to impress upon our Coasties that they should find a college that’s a good fit for them. If you feel good with a school, then go with that school,” said Mathis. “A lot of academic success is about how you feel about going to school. If you’re sitting in a class and you don’t like the way it feels, you’ll be pretty miserable, so you’ve got to be comfortable with the school that you choose and their delivery methods.”
Another characteristic that the Coast Guard emphasizes when giving its members information on what schools to choose is how flexible the institutions are in meeting the unique needs of military students. Schools that participate in the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges Degree Network Program for the Coast Guard offer that needed flexibility by accepting credits from other colleges, so that students don’t have to repeat coursework when they are moved around for their jobs.
HELP FOR SPOUSES
While spouses of Coast Guard members do not receive tuition assistance, they can receive counseling on how to pick the right schools for them at an affordable price. This service is an important way to serve Coast Guard families as a whole. “Our spouses are equally important because if our members’ spouses aren’t happy, then our members aren’t happy,” said Mathis. ♦