ALCOAST 105/22 - MAR 2022 COAST GUARD TUITION ASSISTANCE POLICY UPDATE

R 252015Z MAR 22 MID600051634905U
FM COMCOGARD FORCECOM NORFOLK VA
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 105/22
SSIC 1540
SUBJ: COAST GUARD TUITION ASSISTANCE POLICY UPDATE
A. Voluntary Education Programs, DoD Instruction (DoDI) 1322.25D
B. COMCOGARD FORCECOM NORFOLK VA 302054Z SEP 21/ALCOAST 359/21
C. Performance, Training, and Education Manual, COMDTINST M1500.10C
1. The Coast Guard is implementing multiple policy changes to the
Tuition Assistance (TA) program. These changes reflect renewed
commitment to invest in our people through education, professional
development, and support for lifelong learning.
2. REF (A) provides the military services with the ability to apply
and adjust service-specific TA eligibility criteria and management
controls, and this flexibility will be utilized to immediately
adjust TA reimbursement caps and authorized courses in the following
ways:
a. Effective immediately, the Coast Guard's TA annual
reimbursement cap is increased by 20% from $3,750 to $4,500. TA
participants that reached the previous cap of $3,750 and desire to
take additional classes in FY22 should coordinate with their local
Education Services Officer (ESO) or ETQC. Coast Guard is unable to
reimburse members for classes that have already been paid by the
member.
b. TA is now authorized for courses leading to a second academic
certificate or a second Associate or Bachelor's degree.
c. Effective upon completion of system changes (anticipated
Summer 2022), the TA annual cap of 15 semester hours (SHs) or
quarter/clock hour equivalent is lifted. Additionally, the TA
lifetime caps of 130 SHs for undergraduate work and 40 SHs for
graduate work are lifted. The number of SHs taken in a year is now
limited by the $4,500 annual cap. The maximum amount of $250 per SH
equates to a maximum of 18 SHs a year. Members may exceed 18 SHs a
year if they select courses that cost less than $250 per SH.
Commands maintain the ability to limit the number of courses taken
by their members. Limitations may be required during high tempo
operations, for first time TA users, and for those receiving below
average grades. ESOs are available for education counseling, to
include discussions on time management and balancing workloads.
d. Effective upon completion of system changes (anticipated
Summer 2022), TA will be available for eligible civilian Coast Guard
personnel per REF (C).
3. All other TA eligibility criteria listed in REF (B) still apply.
4. FORCECOM is also working on a Credentialing Assistance pilot
program that will be based on a DoD program that funds pre-approved
non-academic credentials. Additional information will be provided
in a future ALCOAST.
5. Commands should ensure widest dissemination of this message and
encourage members to continue to submit TA applications via the
MyCGEd portal.
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://myeducation.netc.navy.mil/webta/home.html#nbb

6. The field should direct TA questions to local ESOs. Unit ESOs
shall direct TA questions to: CWO Jaimee Richter, ETQC, at
(757) 756-5338 or email: ETQC-SMB-TAG@uscg.mil.
7. RDML M. W. Raymond, Commander, Force Readiness Command (FC-C),
sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.