Voluntary Education Programs, 49382-49400 [2013-19747]
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 157 / Wednesday, August 14, 2013 / Proposed Rules
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable
level of safety may be used for any repair
required by this AD if it is approved by the
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization
Designation Authorization (ODA) that has
been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO
to make those findings. For a repair method
to be approved, the repair must meet the
certification basis of the airplane, and the
approval must specifically refer to this AD.
(k) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD,
contact Suzanne Lucier, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM–140S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057–3356;
phone: 425–917–6438; fax: 425–917–6590;
email: suzanne.lucier@faa.gov.
(2) For service information identified in
this AD, contact Boeing Commercial
Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services
Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H–65,
Seattle, WA 98124–2207; telephone 206–
544–5000, extension 1; fax 206–766–5680;
Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You
may review copies of the referenced service
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
WA. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August
6, 2013.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–19753 Filed 8–13–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
32 CFR Part 68
[Docket No. DOD–2013–OS–0093]
RIN 0790–AJ06
Voluntary Education Programs
Office of the Under Secretary of
Defense for Personnel and Readiness,
DoD.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
In this proposed rule, the
Department of Defense (DoD) discusses
new policy, responsibilities, and
procedures for the operation of
voluntary education programs within
DoD. The new policies discussed in the
rule include the following.
All educational institutions providing
education programs through the DoD
Tuition Assistance (TA) Program will
provide meaningful information to
students about the financial cost and
attendance at an institution so military
students can make informed decisions
on where to attend school; not use
unfair, deceptive, and abusive recruiting
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SUMMARY:
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practices; and provide academic and
student support services to Service
members and their families. New
criteria are created to strengthen
existing procedures for access to
military installations by educational
institutions. An annual review and
notification process is required if there
are changes made to the uniform
semester-hour (or equivalent) TA caps
and annual TA ceilings. Military
Departments will be required to provide
their Service members with a joint
services transcript (JST). The DoD
Postsecondary Education Complaint
System is implemented for Service
members, spouses, and adult family
members to register student complaints.
The Military Departments are
authorized to establish Service-specific
TA eligibility criteria and management
controls.
DATES: Comments must be received by
September 30, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
general information concerning DoD
Voluntary Education Programs, send a
written inquiry to Ms. Carolyn Baker, at
the Office of the Under Secretary of
Defense (Personnel & Readiness),
Military Community & Family Policy,
State Liaison and Educational
Opportunities, 4800 Mark Center Drive,
Suite 14E08, Alexandria, Virginia
22350–2300 (Phone: 571–372–5355 or
email: carolyn.baker@osd.mil).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Executive Summary
This proposed rule implements
Voluntary Education Programs for
Military Service members. This rule
includes educational programs that
enable Service members to earn a degree
on their off-duty time. Congress has
held that men and women serving in the
Armed Forces should have at least the
same opportunity to advance
academically as do civilians who
remain outside the military.
Funding for Voluntary Education
Programs is authorized by law and is
subject to the availability of funds from
each Service. Voluntary education
programs include tuition assistance
(TA) (per 10 U.S.C. 2007), which is
administered uniformly across the
Services. Subject to appropriations, each
Service pays no more than $250.00 per
semester-unit (or equivalent) for tuition.
Each Service member participating in
off-duty, voluntary education is eligible
for up to $4,500.00, in aggregate, for
each fiscal year. TA can only be used for
courses offered by postsecondary
institutions accredited by a national or
regional accrediting body recognized by
the U.S. Department of Education.
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A March 2011 Government
Accountability Office report on the DoD
TA program recommended the
Department take steps to enhance its
oversight of schools receiving TA funds
(available at https://www.gao.gov/
new.items/d11300.pdf). As a result, a
DoD Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) requirement was included in
this rule, which is designated not only
to improve Departmental oversight but
also to account for our Service members’
unique lifestyle requirements. The
purpose of the DoD MOU is to establish
a partnership between the Department
and institutions to improve educational
opportunities while protecting the
integrity of each institution’s core
educational values. This partnership
serves to ensure a quality, viable
program exists that provides for our
Service members to realize their
educational goals, while allowing for
judicious oversight of taxpayer dollars.
Background
The purpose of voluntary education
programs is to provide active duty
Service members with opportunities to
enhance their academic achievement
which in turn improves job performance
and promotion potential. A final rule for
DoD’s Voluntary Education Programs
was published in the Federal Register
on December 6, 2012 (77 FR 72941–
72956). The rule established the new
requirement for a standardized
memorandum of understanding (MOU)
between DoD and the Institutions of
Higher Learning (IHLs) prior to
participating in DoD Voluntary
Education Programs, such as the
military tuition assistance program. As
of June 25, 2013, 3,155 IHLs with a total
of 4,180 sub-campuses have signed the
DoD MOU.
This new proposed rule includes
requirements stated in the President’s
Executive Order 13607, ‘‘Establishing
Principles of Excellence for Educational
Institutions Servicing Service Members,
Veterans, Spouses, and Other Family
Members’’, signed April 27, 2012
(available at https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/
pkg/FR-2012-05-02/pdf/201210715.pdf). In implementing the EO,
three interagency working groups were
established (information, compliance,
and report), along with an aggressive
timeline to ensure that the policies take
effect as soon as possible. The E.O.
directed DoD to coordinate with the
Departments of Veterans Affairs and
Education, and in consultation with the
Department of Justice and the Consumer
Financial Protection Bureau, to
implement and promote compliance
with the principles stated in the E.O.
Several of these principles were covered
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in the previous 2012 final rule; the
remaining principles are now included
in this proposed rule. The President
requested the principles be
implemented for school year 2013–
2014.
New requirements covered in the
proposed rule include:
(1) Require all educational
institutions providing education
programs through the DoD Tuition
Assistance (TA) Program:
(a) Will provide meaningful
information to students about the
financial cost and attendance at an
institution so military students can
make informed decisions on where to
attend school.
(b) Will not use unfair, deceptive, and
abusive recruiting practices.
(c) Will provide academic and student
support services to Service members
and their families.
(2) Implement rules to strengthen
existing procedures for access to
military installations by educational
institutions.
(3) Require DoD to conduct an annual
review and notification process is
required if there are changes made to
the uniform semester-hour (or
equivalent) TA caps and annual TA
ceilings.
(4) Require the Military Departments
to provide their Service members with
a joint services transcript (JST).
(5) Implement the DoD Postsecondary
Education Complaint System for Service
members, spouses, and adult family
members to register student complaints.
(6) Authorize the Military
Departments to establish Servicespecific TA eligibility criteria and
management controls.
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Regulatory Procedures
Executive Order 12866, ‘‘Regulatory
Planning and Review’’ and Executive
Order 13563, ‘‘Improving Regulation
and Regulatory Review’’
It has been certified that 32 CFR part
68 is an economically significant
regulatory action. The rule has an
annual effect on the economy of $100
million or more.
The rule does not:
(1) Adversely affect in a material way
the economy; a section of the economy;
productivity; competition; jobs; the
environment; public health or safety; or
State, local, or tribal governments or
communities;
(2) Create a serious inconsistency or
otherwise interfere with an action taken
or planned by another Agency;
(3) Materially alter the budgetary
impact of entitlements, grants, user fees,
or loan programs, or the rights and
obligations of recipients thereof; or
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(4) Raise novel legal or policy issues
arising out of legal mandates, the
President’s priorities, or the principles
set forth in these Executive Orders.
Funding for Voluntary Education
Programs is authorized by law and is
subject to the availability of funds from
each Service. Voluntary education
programs include tuition assistance (per
section 2007 of title 10, United States
Code), which is administered uniformly
across the Services. Each Service pays
no more than $250.00 per semester-unit
(or equivalent) for tuition. Each Service
member participating in off-duty,
voluntary education is authorized up to
$4,500.00, in aggregate, for each fiscal
year. As per the National Defense
Authorization Act (NDAA) FY08, each
of the Services may also provide TA to
activated Service members of the
Selected Reserves and Individual Ready
Reserve. Tuition assistance costs for
Service members participating in high
school completion and accredited
undergraduate or graduate education
programs totaled approximately $562
million in FY11 and approximately
$568 million in FY12. During FY11,
325,324 Service members received TA
for 866,788 courses. During FY12,
286,665 Service members received TA
for 874,094 courses. A total of 45,220
degrees/diplomas/certificates were
earned in FY11 and 50,497 in FY12.
Operational costs totaled approximately
$102 million in FY11 and $92 million
in FY12. Operational costs for DoD
Voluntary Education Programs include
such items as salaries, TDY, training,
supplies, and equipment.
Funding for the new E.O. 13607
requirement to establish a DoD
complaint system for students receiving
Federal military educational benefits,
such as military tuition assistance,
included approximately $13,500 for the
estimated labor cost to DoD and
approximately $400,000 to build the
system.
Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801
We estimate that this rulemaking is
‘‘economically significant’’ as measured
by the $100 million threshold and,
hence, also a major rule under the
Congressional Review Act. Accordingly,
we have prepared a regulatory impact
analysis that, to the best of our ability,
presents the costs and benefits of the
rulemaking.
Section 202, Public Law 104–4,
‘‘Unfunded Mandates Reform Act’’
It has been certified that 32 CFR part
68 does not contain a Federal mandate
that may result in expenditure by State,
local and tribal governments, in
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aggregate, or by the private sector, of
$100 million or more in any one year.
Public Law 96–354, ‘‘Regulatory
Flexibility Act’’ (5 U.S.C. 601)
It has been certified that 32 CFR part
68 is not subject to the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601) because it
would not, if promulgated, have a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities.
The rule updates policy and procedures
for the voluntary education programs
within DoD for Service members and
their adult eligible family members.
Guidance on voluntary education
programs is available through the
Education Centers located on military
installations.
Public Law 96–511, ‘‘Paperwork
Reduction Act’’
It has been certified that 32 CFR part
68 does impose reporting or
recordkeeping requirements under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The
requirements for the new student
complaint system were submitted to the
Office of Management and Budget and
approved under OMB Control Number
0704–0501, ‘‘Postsecondary Education
Complaint Intake System.’’ While DoD
believes that the collection instrument
and burden numbers will not change,
DoD welcomes additional comments on
this collection of information.
Section 68.1(c)(5) of this proposed
rule contains information collection
requirements. Comments are invited on:
(a) Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of DoD,
including whether the information will
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of
the estimate of the burden of the
proposed information collection; (c)
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the
burden of the information collection on
respondents, including the use of
automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Title: Postsecondary Education
Complaint Intake System.
Type of Request: New.
Number of Respondents: 100.
Responses per Respondent: 1.
Annual Responses: 100.
Average Burden per Response: 10
minutes.
Annual Burden Hours: 17 hours.
Needs and Uses: The information
collection requirement is necessary to
obtain, document, and respond to
complaints, questions, and other
information concerning postsecondary
education and services provided to
military students, veterans, and their
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adult family members. The President’s
Executive Order 13607, signed on April
27, 2012, calls for the creation of a
robust, centralized complaint process
for students receiving Federal military
and veterans’ educational benefits. The
web based intake documents
information electronically such as the
level of study of the student, school the
student is attending, type of education
benefits being used, branch of the
military service, substance of the
complaint or issue, and preferred
contact information for the person
making the complaint.
Affected Public: Individuals and
households.
Frequency: On occasion.
Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary.
OMB Desk Officer: Written comments
and recommendations on the proposed
information collection should be sent to
Ms. Jasmeet Seehra at the Office of
Management and Budget, DoD Desk
Officer, Room 10102, New Executive
Office Building, Washington, DC 20503,
with a copy to Ms. Carolyn Baker, at the
Office of the Under Secretary of Defense
(Personnel & Readiness), Military
Community & Family Policy, State
Liaison and Educational Opportunities,
4800 Mark Center Drive, Suite 14E08,
Alexandria, Virginia 22350–2300.
Comments to OMB will be most useful
if received by OMB within 30 days after
the date of this notice.
You may also submit comments,
identified by docket number and title,
by the following method:
* Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
Instructions: All submissions received
must include the agency name, docket
number and title for this Federal
Register document. The general policy
for comments and other submissions
from members of the public is to make
these submissions available for public
viewing on the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov as they are
received without change, including any
personal identifiers or contact
information.
To request more information on this
proposed information collection or to
obtain a copy of the proposal and
associated collection instruments,
please write to Ms. Carolyn Baker, at the
Office of the Under Secretary of Defense
(Personnel & Readiness), Military
Community & Family Policy, State
Liaison and Educational Opportunities,
4800 Mark Center Drive, Suite 14E08,
Alexandria, Virginia 22350–2300, or call
Ms. Baker at 571–372–5355.
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Executive Order 13132, ‘‘Federalism’’
It has been certified that 32 CFR part
68 does not have federalism
implications, as set forth in Executive
Order 13132. This rule does not have
substantial direct effects on:
(1) The States;
(2) The relationship between the
National Government and the States; or
(3) The distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of Government.
List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 68
Adult education, Armed forces,
Colleges and universities, Education,
Educational study programs,
Government contracts, Military
personnel, Student aid.
Accordingly, 32 CFR part 68 is
proposed to be revised to read as
follows:
PART 68—VOLUNTARY EDUCATION
PROGRAMS
Sec.
68.1
68.2
68.3
68.4
68.5
68.6
Purpose.
Applicability.
Definitions.
Policy.
Responsibilities.
Procedures.
Appendix A to Part 68—DoD Voluntary
Education Partnership
Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) Between DoD Office of the
Under Secretary of Defense for
Personnel and Readiness
(USD(P&R)) and [Name of
Educational Institution]
Appendix B to Part 68—Addendum for
Education Services Between [Name
of Educational Institution] and the
U.S. Air Force (USAF)
Appendix C to Part 68—Addendum for
Education Services Between [Name
of Educational Institution] AND
THE U.S. Army
Appendix D to Part 68—Addendum for
Education Services Between [Name
of Educational Institution] and the
U.S. Marine Corps
Appendix E to Part 68—Addendum for
Education Services Between [Name
of Educational Institution] and the
U.S. Navy
Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2005, 2007.
§ 68.1
Purpose.
This part:
(a) Implements policy, assigns
responsibilities, and prescribes
procedures for the operation of
voluntary education programs in the
DoD.
(b) Establishes policy stating the
eligibility criteria for tuition assistance
(TA) and the requirement for a
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memorandum of understanding (MOU)
from all educational institutions
providing educational programs through
the DoD TA Program.
(c) Establishes new policy that:
(1) All educational institutions
providing education programs through
the DoD Tuition Assistance (TA)
Program:
(i) Will provide meaningful
information to students about the
financial cost and attendance at an
institution so military students can
make informed decisions on where to
attend school.
(ii) Will not use unfair, deceptive, and
abusive recruiting practices.
(iii) Will provide academic and
student support services to Service
members and their families.
(2) Creates rules to strengthen existing
procedures for access to military
installations by educational institutions.
(3) Requires an annual review and
notification process of uniform
semester-hour (or equivalent) TA caps
and annual TA ceilings.
(4) Requires the Military Departments
to provide their Service members with
a joint services transcript (JST).
(5) Implements the DoD
Postsecondary Education Complaint
System for Service members, spouses,
and adult family members to register
student complaints.
(6) Authorizes the Military
Departments to establish Servicespecific TA eligibility criteria and
management controls.
(d) Establishes the Interservice
Voluntary Education Board.
§ 68.2
Applicability.
This part applies to the Office of the
Secretary of Defense, the Military
Departments, the Office of the Chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint
Staff, the Combatant Commands, the
Office of the Inspector General of the
DoD, the Defense Agencies, the DoD
Field Activities, and all other
organizational entities within the DoD
(referred to collectively in this part as
the ‘‘DoD Components’’).
§ 68.3
Definitions.
The following terms and their
definitions are for the purpose of this
part:
Academic. Relating to education,
educational studies, an educational
institution, or the educational system.
Academic institution. A college,
university, or other postsecondary
educational institution of higher
education.
Academic institution representative.
An employee of the academic
institution.
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Academic skills. Competencies in
English, reading, writing, speaking,
mathematics, and computer skills that
are essential to successful job
performance and new learning. Also
referred to as functional or basic skills.
Active Guard and Reserve (AGR).
National Guard or Reserve members of
the Selected Reserve (SELRES) who are
ordered to active duty or full-time
National Guard duty for a period of 180
consecutive days or more for the
purpose of organizing, administering,
recruiting, instructing, or training the
Reserve Component units or duties as
prescribed in 10 U.S.C. 12310. All AGR
members must be assigned against an
authorized mobilization position in the
unit they support. (Includes Navy fulltime support (FTS), Marine Corps
Active Reserve (ARs), and Coast Guard
Reserve Personnel Administrators
(RPAs)).
American Council on Education. The
major coordinating body for all of the
Nation’s higher education institutions.
Seeks to provide leadership and a
unifying voice on key higher education
issues and publishes the ‘‘Guide to the
Evaluation of Educational Experiences
in the Armed Services.’’
Annual TA Ceiling. The maximum
dollar amount authorized for each
Service member for TA per fiscal year.
Each Service member participating in
off-duty voluntary education programs
will be entitled to the full amount
authorized each fiscal year in
accordance with DoD policy.
Army/American Council on
Education Registry Transcript System.
An automated official document
generated by the Army/ACE Registry
Transcript System which can be sent
directly from the Army American
Council on Education Registry
Transcript System Center to the
educational institution to articulate a
soldier’s military experience and
training and the American Council on
Education-recommended college credit
for this training and experience. The
Army/ACE Registry Transcript System
is incorporated in the joint services
transcript.
Degree requirements. A planning
document provided by the educational
institution that outlines general required
courses to complete an educational
program. The planning document
presents the general education and
major-related course requirements,
degree competencies (e.g., foreign
language, computer literacy), and
elective course options that students
may choose for specified program of
study.
Education advisor. A professionally
qualified, subject matter expert or
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program manager in the Education
Services Series 1740 at the installation
education center. The following
position titles may also be used for an
education advisor: Education Services
Specialist, Education Services Officer
(ESO), Voluntary Education Director,
Navy College Office Director, and
Education and Training Section (ETS)
Chief.
Education center. A military
installation facility, including office
space, classrooms, laboratories, and
other features, that is staffed with
professionally qualified personnel and
to conduct voluntary education
programs. For Navy, this is termed the
‘‘Navy College Office.’’
Educational plan. A planning
document provided by the educational
institution that outlines general degree
requirements for graduation. Typically
an educational plan presents the general
education and major-related course
requirements, degree competencies (e.g.,
foreign language, computer literacy),
and elective course options that
students may choose for a specified
program of study. This document is
required from the institution prior to the
enrollment of the Service member at the
institution.
Eligible adult family member. The
adult family member, over the age of 18,
of an active duty, Reserve, National
Guardsman, or DoD civilian with a valid
DoD identification card.
Evaluated educational plan. An
official academic document provided by
the educational institution that:
(1) Articulates all degree requirements
required for degree completion or in the
case of a non-degree program, all
educational requirements for
completion of the program;
(2) Identifies all courses required for
graduation in the individual’s intended
academic discipline and level of
postsecondary study; and
(3) Includes an evaluation of all
successfully completed prior
coursework, and evaluated credit for
military training and experience, and
other credit sources applied to the
institutional degree requirements. At a
minimum, the evaluated education plan
will identify required courses, College
Level Examination Program, and DSST
(formally known as the DANTES
Subject Standardized Tests) Program,
and potential American Council on
Education recommended college credits
for training and experiences, which are
applicable to courses study leading to a
degree. Education advisors will assist
Service members in developing their
education plan for final approval by the
educational institution. For
participating SOC Degree Network
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System institutions, SOC Army Degrees,
SOC Navy Degrees, SOC Marine Corps
Degrees, or SOC Coast Guard Degrees
Student Agreement serves as this
documented educational plan.
Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). A
manpower pool consisting principally
of individuals who have had training,
have previously served in the Active
Component or in the SELRES, and have
some period of their military service
obligation or other contractual
obligation remaining. Some individuals
volunteer to remain in the IRR beyond
their military service or contractual
obligation and participate in programs
providing a variety of professional
assignments and opportunities for
earning retirement points and military
benefits.
Joint services transcript. An official
education transcript tool for
documenting the recommended ACE
college credits for a variety of
professional military education, training
courses, and occupational experience of
Service members across the Services.
The joint services transcript
incorporates data from documents such
as the Army/ACE Registry Transcript
System, the Sailor/Marine ACE Registry
Transcript System, the Community
College of the Air Force transcript, and
the Coast Guard Institute transcript.
Needs assessment. A process used to
determine the staffing requirements,
course offerings, size of facilities,
funding, or other standards for delivery
of educational programs.
Off-duty. Time when the Service
member is not scheduled to perform
official duties.
Ready Reserve. Composed of military
members of the Reserve and National
Guard, organized in units or as
individuals, or both, and liable for
involuntary order to active duty in time
of war or national emergency pursuant
to 10 U.S.C. 12310 and 12301 and 14
U.S.C. 712 in the case of members of the
Coast Guard Reserve. The Ready
Reserve consists of the SELRES, the IRR,
and the Inactive National Guard.
Sailor/Marine American Council on
Education Registry Transcript System.
An automated official document
generated by the Sailor/Marine
American Council on Education
Registry Transcript System, which can
be sent directly from the Sailor/Marine
ACE Registry Transcript System
Operations Center to the educational
institution to articulate a Sailor’s or
Marine’s military experience and
training and the American Council on
Education recommended college credit
for this training and experience. The
Sailor/Marine ACE Registry Transcript
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System is incorporated in the joint
services transcript.
Semester-hour TA cap. The maximum
dollar amount authorized for TA per
semester-hour (or equivalent) credit. A
Service will pay no more than the
established DoD cap per semester-unit
(or equivalent) for tuition.
SOC or Servicemembers Opportunity
Colleges. A consortium of over 1,800
colleges and universities, created in
1972 that seeks to enhance the
educational opportunities to Service
members who may have difficulty in
completing college programs due to
frequent military moves.
TA or tuition assistance. Funds
provided by the Military Services or
U.S. Coast Guard to pay a percentage of
the charges of an educational institution
for the tuition of an active duty, Reserve
or National Guard member of the
Military Services, or Coast Guard
member, enrolled in approved courses
of study during off-duty time.
Third Party Education Assessment. A
third-party evaluation of voluntary
education programs covered by the DoD
Voluntary Education Partnership MOU.
Top-Up. An option, under chapter 30
of the Montgomery G.I. Bill and Post9/11 G.I. Bill, that enables active duty
Service members to receive from the VA
those tuition costs that exceed or are not
authorized in the amount of TA
provided to the Service member by his
or her Service. The G.I. Bill entitlement
is charged differently depending on
which G.I. Bill program a Service
member uses. The Montgomery G.I. Bill
entitlement is charged based on the
dollar amount of benefits VA pays to the
individual. The Service member will be
charged one month of entitlement for
each payment received that is equal to
the full-time monthly rate for the G.I.
Bill. The Post-9/11 entitlement is
charged based on the enrolled amount
of time. If a Service member is attending
classes part-time or at the 1⁄2 time level,
the charge is 1⁄2 month of Post-9/11 G.I.
Bill benefits for each month enrolled
and receiving G.I. benefits.
Troops-to-Teachers program (TTT). A
Department of Education program
administered by the DoD to help recruit
quality teachers for schools that serve
low-income families throughout
America. TTT helps relieve teacher
shortages, especially in math, science,
special education, and other high-needs
subject areas, and assists military
personnel in making successful
transitions to second careers in
teaching.
Voluntary education programs.
Continuing, adult, or postsecondary
education programs of study that
Service members elect to participate in
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during their off-duty time, and that are
available to other members of the
military community.
§ 68.4
Policy.
It is DoD policy, consistent with DoD
Directive 1322.08E, ‘‘Voluntary
Education Programs for Military
Personnel’’ (available at https://
www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/
132208p.pdf), that:
(a) Members of the Military Services
serving on active duty and members of
the Selected Reserve (SELRES) will be
afforded the opportunity to complete
their high school education through a
state-funded or Service component
sponsored program; earn an equivalency
diploma, improve their academic skills
or level of literacy, enroll in career and
technical education schools, receive
college credit for military training and
experience in accordance with the
American Council on Education (ACE)
Guide to the Evaluation of Educational
Experiences in the Armed Services
(available at https://www.acenet.edu/
news-room/Pages/Military-GuideOnline.aspx), take tests to earn college
credit, and enroll in postsecondary
education programs that lead to
industry-recognized credentials, and
undergraduate and graduate degrees.
(b) On an annual basis, the Under
Secretary of Defense for Personnel and
Readiness (USD(P&R)), in coordination
with the Military Departments no later
than the end of second quarter of the
current fiscal year, will review the
uniform semester-hour (or equivalent)
TA caps and annual TA ceilings to
determine possible changes for the
upcoming year. If there are any changes
in the uniform semester-hour (or
equivalent) caps and annual TA
ceilings, a memorandum will be
released from the USD(P&R), in
coordination with the Military
Departments, and a corresponding
notice will be published in the Federal
Register. Service members’ costs to
participate in the DoD Voluntary
Education Program as authorized by 10
U.S.C. 2007, will be reduced through
financial support, including TA that is
administered uniformly across the
Military Services.
(c) Information and professional adult
academic education counseling about
voluntary education programs will be
readily available and easy to access so
that Service members can make
informed decisions concerning
educational opportunities available.
Education counseling will be provided
by qualified professional (Education
Services Series 1740 or individual with
equivalent qualifications) individuals in
sufficient numbers to operate voluntary
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education programs as determined by
individual Service standards.
(d) In accordance with Executive
Order (E.O.) 13607,
(1) Educational institutions receiving
funding from Federal military
educational benefits programs, such as
the DoD TA Program, will:
(i) Provide meaningful information to
students on the financial cost and
attendance at an educational institution
so military students can make informed
decisions on where to attend school.
(ii) Prevent unfair, deceptive, and
abusive recruiting practices that target
Service members.
(iii) Provide academic and student
support services specific to the
institutions’ programs to all Service
members, spouses and adult family
members.
(2) DoD will implement a complaint
system for Service members, spouses,
and adult family members that will
register, track, and respond to student
complaints on-line. Educational
institutions that have an MOU with DoD
with reoccurring complaints or an
unwillingness to resolve complaints
will be removed from the DoD MOU
Participating Institutions list and will
not be authorized to participate in the
DoD TA Program.
(e) Institutions accredited by a
national or regional accrediting agency
recognized by the U.S. Department of
Education (ED) will be encouraged to
provide degree programs on military
installations and the Military Services
will facilitate their operations on the
installations referred to in paragraph (c)
of § 68.6.
(f) To the extent that space is
otherwise available, eligible adult
family members of Service members,
DoD civilian employees and their
eligible adult family members, and
military retirees may enroll in
postsecondary education programs
offered on a military installation at no
cost to the individual Service TA
programs.
§ 68.5
Responsibilities.
(a) The USD(P&R):
(1) Monitors implementation of and
ensures compliance with this part and
DoD Directive 1322.08E.
(2) Establishes rates of tuition
assistance (TA) and ensures uniformity
across the Military Services as required
by DoD Directive 1322.08E and this
part. The uniform semester-hour (or
equivalent) TA caps and annual TA
ceilings will be reviewed annually and
if changed, a memorandum from the
USD(P&R) will be released following
coordination with each of the Military
Departments. Additionally, if the
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uniform TA rates are changed, a notice
will be published in the Federal
Register at approximately the start of
the fiscal year.
(3) Establishes, under the provisions
of DoD Instruction 5105.18, ‘‘DoD
Intergovernmental and
Intragovernmental Committee
Management Program’’ (available at
https://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/
corres/pdf/510518p.pdf), the
Interservice Voluntary Education Board,
which will be composed of full-time or
permanent part-time federal employees.
(4) Maintains a program to assess the
effectiveness of the voluntary education
programs.
(5) Issues written supplemental
guidance annually for the funding and
operation of the Defense Activity for
Non-Traditional Education Support
(DANTES) for those items not reflected
in paragraph (f) of § 68.6.
(b) The Assistant Secretary of Defense
for Readiness and Force Management
(ASD(R&FM)), under the authority,
direction, and control of the USD(P&R)
will:
(1) Provide administrative assistance
to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of
Defense for Military Community and
Family Policy (DASD(MCFP)), in
support of the voluntary education
programs.
(2) Respond to matters that are
referred by the DASD(MCFP).
(c) The DASD(MCFP), under the
authority, direction, and control of the
ASD(R&FM), will:
(1) Monitor compliance with this part
and DoD Directive 1322.08E and related
issuances by personnel under his or her
authority, direction, and control.
(2) Oversee the DoD Voluntary
Education Program.
(3) Provide ongoing and routine
clarifying guidance for the DoD
Voluntary Education Program.
(4) Provide representatives to
professional education and cross-agency
panels addressing issues impacting the
DoD Voluntary Education Program, its
regulatory scope, clientele, and partners.
(5) Designate the Voluntary Education
Chief within the Office of the
DASD(MCFP) as the Chair of the
Interservice Voluntary Education Board
and oversee implementation of Board
and DANTES procedures as detailed in
§ 68.6 of this part.
(6) Oversee the DoD Postsecondary
Education Complaint System through
which Service members, spouses, and
adult family members receiving Federal
military and veterans educational
benefits can register on-line complaints
that will be tracked and responded to by
the Departments of Defense, Veterans
Affairs, Justice, and Education, the
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Consumer Finance Protection Bureau,
and other relevant agencies. The DoD
Postsecondary Education Complaint
System is Web-based and accessible online at https://afaems.langley.af.mil/
vemis/DoD.
Postsecondary.ED.Complaint.System.
This complaint system contains the
uniform procedures for the processing
of the complaint intake form (DD Form
2961, DoD Postsecondary Education
Complaint Intake).
(7) Oversee the Third-Party Education
Assessment, which is a third party
review process to assess the quality,
delivery, and coordination of the
voluntary education programs provided
to military personnel on the installation,
in the community, and via distance
learning (DL). It assists in improving the
quality of the delivery of these programs
through recommendation to institutions,
installations, and the Military Services.
(i) DASD(MCFP) will monitor actions
by the Military Services to resolve
recommendations for improvement
identified on the respective Military
Service’s installation during the Third
Party Education Assessment.
(ii) DASD(MCFP) will monitor actions
provided to the DoD Voluntary
Education Chief by institutions
operating off the military installation or
via DL to resolve recommendations for
improvement identified during Third
Party Education Assessments. These
institutions will provide corrective
actions taken within 6 months of the
assessment to the DoD Voluntary
Education Chief. In instances when the
issue cannot be resolved within the 6
month timeframe, the institution will
submit a status report every 3 months to
the DoD Voluntary Education Chief
until the recommendation is resolved.
(8) Prepare written supplemental
guidance annually for USD(P&R)
regarding the funding and operation of
DANTES for those items not reflected in
paragraph (f) of § 68.6.
(9) Oversee the policy of the joint
services transcript (JST).
(d) The Assistant Secretary of Defense
for Reserve Affairs (ASD(RA)), under the
authority, direction, and control of the
USD(P&R), will:
(1) Monitor compliance with this part
and DoD Directive 1322.08E and related
issuances by personnel under his or her
authority, direction, and control.
(2) Appoint a representative to serve
on the Interservice Voluntary Education
Board.
(3) Arrange the assignment of, on a
rotating basis, a field grade officer, to
serve as the Reserve Component
Advisor to the Voluntary Education
Chief and a representative on the
Interservice Voluntary Education Board.
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(e) The Secretaries of the Military
Departments will:
(1) Monitor compliance with this part
and DoD Directive 1322.08E and related
issuances by personnel under their
respective authority, direction, and
control.
(2) Establish, maintain, coordinate,
and operate voluntary education
programs that encompass a broad range
of educational experiences including,
but not limited to, academic skills
development, high school completion
programs, vocational programs, career
and technical programs, and programs
leading to the award of undergraduate
and graduate degrees.
(3) Require that sufficient funding is
available to provide Service members
with TA support consistent with the
requirements in § 68.6 and appendices
A, B, C, D, and E to this part.
(4) Require that educational
counseling is available to Service
members so they will have sufficient
information and guidance to plan an
appropriate program of study.
Educational counseling will be provided
by qualified professional (Education
Services Series 1740 or individual with
equivalent qualifications) individuals.
(5) Require that voluntary education
programs participate in the DoD
established third-party review process
entitled the Third Party Education
Assessment.
(i) Within 6 months following the
Third Party Education Assessment on
their installation, the responsible
Military Service will resolve
recommendations received as a result of
the assessment and provide the
resolutions to the DoD Voluntary
Education Chief. In instances when the
issue cannot be resolved within the 6
month timeframe, the Military Service
will submit a status report every 3
months to the DoD Voluntary Education
Chief until the recommendation is
resolved.
(ii) If the recommendation(s) requires
involvement of an institution operating
on their respective installation, the
Military Service will coordinate the
submission of corrective actions taken
by institution(s) through the appropriate
Education Advisor, and forward through
their respective Military Service
leadership to the DoD Voluntary
Education Chief.
(iii) Waivers to the Third Party
Education Assessment must be
submitted to and approved by the DoD
Voluntary Education Chief.
(6) Provide one representative to serve
on the Interservice Voluntary Education
Board responsible for their Services’
voluntary education policy from each of
the following Military Services: Army,
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Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.
Each Service representative’s
membership will be on a permanent
basis and changed only when their
voluntary education policy position is
changed.
(7) Assign, on a rotating basis, a senior
enlisted Service member in the military
pay grade E–9 to serve as the DANTES
enlisted advisor.
(8) Assign, on a rotating basis, a fieldgrade officer to serve as the DANTES RC
advisor.
(9) Require that military test control
officers and test centers comply with the
guidance and procedures published in
the DANTES Examination Program
Handbook, available at https://
www.dantes.doded.mil/Programs/Docs/
DEPH_part1.pdf.
(10) Require that personnel who
provide counseling, advice, and
program management related to
voluntary education programs have
access to the DoD Voluntary Education
homepage and other Web sites so they
can provide current and accurate
information to Service members.
(11) Provide opportunities for Service
members to access the Internet, where
available, to enroll in and complete
postsecondary courses that are part of
their approved educational plan leading
to an educational goal.
(12) Submit requested quarterly and
annual information for the Voluntary
Education Management Information
System (VEMIS) by the 20th day of the
month after the end of each fiscal
quarter for the quarterly reports and
November 15th each year for the annual
report. Reporting information includes,
but is not limited to voluntary education
program data on enrollments,
participation, and costs.
(13) Respond to and resolve Servicespecific student complaints received
and managed through the DoD
Postsecondary Education Complaint
System.
(14) Provide Service members with a
JST. At a minimum, the JST will include
documented military student data,
courses, and military occupations
evaluated by ACE, including
descriptions, learning outcomes and
equivalent college credit
recommendations, as well as national
college-level exam results. The Air
Force will continue to use the
Community College of the Air Force
(CCAF) to document airmen’s academic
and military credit.
(f) Secretary of the Navy. The
Secretary of the Navy, as the DoD
Executive Agent (DoD EA) for DANTES
pursuant to DoD Directive 1322.08E and
DoD Directive 5101.1, ‘‘DoD Executive
Agent’’ (available at https://
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www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/
510101p.pdf), and in addition to the
responsibilities in this section, will:
(1) Transmit supplemental annual
guidance issued by the USD(P&R) to
DANTES for those items not reflected in
paragraph (f) of this section.
(2) Require that the Director,
DANTES, provide updates on DANTES
plans, operations, and activities to the
USD(P&R).
(3) Through its civilian personnel
system, advertise the position of
Director, DANTES, when the position is
vacated and appoint the Director,
DANTES, in accordance with the
procedures outlined in § 68.6.
§ 68.6
Procedures.
(a) TA for Service members
participating in education programs.
(1) TA will be available for Service
members participating in high school
completion and approved courses from
accredited undergraduate or graduate
education programs or institutions.
Approved courses are those that are part
of an identified course of study leading
to a postsecondary certificate or degree
and non-degree oriented language
courses integral to the Defense Language
Transformation Roadmap (available at
https://www.defense.gov/news/Mar2005/
d20050330roadmap.pdf).
(i) Use of TA for non-degree oriented
language courses is limited to those
published by the Under Secretary of
Defense (P&R) on the DoD Strategic
Language List.
(ii) Dominant-in-the-force languages
and languages deemed by DoD as
already having sufficient strategic
capacity will not be funded under 10
U.S.C. 2007, except for assignments
outside the continental United States.
(2) TA will be applied as follows:
(i) For 100 percent of the cost of
approved high school completion
programs for Service members who have
not been awarded a high school or
equivalency diploma and who are
enrolled in such programs.
(ii) In support of the voluntary
education of active duty Service
members during their off-duty periods,
each Military Service will pay all or a
portion, as specified in paragraphs
(a)(2)(ii)(A) through (F) of this section,
of the charges of an educational
institution for education and training
during the member’s off-duty periods.
TA funding will only be paid to
educational institutions accredited by
an accrediting organization recognized
by ED, approved for Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) funding, and
participating in Federal student aid
programs through the Department of
Education under Title IV of the Higher
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Education Act of 1965. Whenever ED
withdraws the recognition of any
accrediting agency, an institution of
higher education which meets the
requirements of accreditation,
eligibility, and certification on the day
prior to such withdrawal, may,
notwithstanding the withdrawal,
continue to participate in the TA
program for a period not to exceed 18
months from the date of the withdrawal
of recognition.
(A) When an institution’s charges are
equal to or less than the established cap
per semester-hour of credit or its
equivalent, the responsible Service will
pay the entire amount charged by the
institution. In computing credit
equivalency, the following conversions
will apply: 1 quarter-hour credit = 2⁄3
semester-hour credit; and 45 contact
hours will be considered equivalent to
one semester-hour credit when neither
semester- nor quarter-hours are
specified for the education or training
for which the Service member is
enrolled.
(B) When an institution’s charges
exceed the established cap per semesterhour of credit, or its equivalent, the
responsible Service, will pay no more
than the established cap per semesterunit (or equivalent) for tuition.
(C) Each Service member participating
in off-duty, voluntary education will be
allowed up to the established ceiling, in
aggregate, for each fiscal year.
(D) Covered charges include those
that are submitted to the Service by the
educational institution for tuition only.
(E) TA funds are not to be used for the
purchase of books and fees.
Additionally, institutional education
revenue generated from military TA
funds cannot be used to support
textbook grants or scholarships.
(F) To be eligible to receive TA, a
Service member must meet the
minimum requirement of successfully
completing basic training. Reserve
Component members are exempt from
the requirement to first attend basic
training before authorized to receive TA.
Additional, respective Service
requirements must be met to include
training qualification, unit assignment,
and time in service criteria.
(iii) The TA rate, credit-cap, and
annual per capita ceiling, will be
reviewed annually in consideration of
inflation and other effects, and will be
applicable uniformly whether
instruction is delivered traditionally inthe-classroom or through distance
education. Rates of TA other than as
identified in paragraphs (a)(2)(ii)(A)
through (F) of this section are not
authorized.
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(3) Service-specific TA Eligibility
Requirements.
(i) Service-specific eligibility criteria
and management controls are
determined by each Military Service.
(ii) Service-specific TA eligibility
criteria and management controls may
include, but are not limited to, applying
TA:
(A) For courses leading to a certificate
or required for a credentialing program.
All payments for courses must comply
with the allowable caps and ceilings.
(B) For graduate studies through the
master’s degree level. All payments for
courses must comply with the allowable
caps and ceilings.
(C) For same level degrees, subject to
availability of funds. However, TA is
primarily intended to raise the academic
degree level of the Service member.
(4) TA is available to a commissioned
officer on active duty, other than an
officer serving in the Ready Reserves
(addressed in paragraphs (a)(5)(i) and
(a)(6)(i) of this section), only if the
officer agrees to remain on active duty,
for a period of at least two years after
the completion of the education or
training for which TA was paid (see 10
U.S.C. 2007).
(5) The Secretary of the Military
Department concerned may only make
TA available to a member of the
SELRES, pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2007,
under the following conditions:
(i) In the case of a commissioned
officer, the officer must agree to remain
a member of the SELRES for at least four
years after completion of the education
or training for which TA is paid.
(ii) In the case of an enlisted member,
the Secretary concerned may require the
member of the SELRES to enter into an
agreement to remain a member of the
SELRES for up to four years after
completion of the education or training
for which TA is paid.
(6) The Secretary of the Military
Department concerned may only make
TA available to a member of the IRR
who has a military occupational
specialty designated by the Secretary
concerned pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2007
and only under the following
conditions:
(i) In the case of a commissioned
officer, the officer must agree to remain
a member of the SELRES or IRR for at
least four years after completion of the
education or training for which TA was
paid.
(ii) In the case of an enlisted member,
the Secretary concerned may require the
member of the IRR to enter into an
agreement to remain a member of the
IRR for up to four years after completion
of the education or training for which
TA is paid.
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(7) Members performing Active Guard
and Reserve (AGR) duty under either 10
U.S.C. 12310 or active duty under 14
U.S.C. 712 are eligible for TA under
paragraph (a)(4) of this section.
(8) The Secretary of the Military
Department concerned may make TA
available to National Guard members in
accordance with paragraph (a)(4), except
for National Guard members assigned to
the Inactive National Guard.
(9) Reimbursement and repayment
requirements:
(i) If a commissioned officer or
member of the RR does not fulfill a
specified Service obligation as required
by 10 U.S.C. 2007, they are subject to
the repayment provisions of 37 U.S.C.
303a(e).
(ii) For other conditions pursuant to
10 U.S.C. 2005, the Secretary concerned
may require a Service member to enter
into a written agreement when
providing advanced education
assistance. If the Service member does
not fulfill any terms or conditions as
prescribed by the Secretary concerned,
the Service member will be subject to
the repayment provisions of 37 U.S.C.
303a(e).
(iii) Pursuant to 37 U.S.C. 303a(e), the
Secretary concerned may establish
procedures for determining the amount
of the repayment required from the
Service member and the circumstances
under which an exception to the
required repayment may be granted.
(iv) Reimbursement will be required
from the Service member if a successful
course completion is not obtained. For
the purpose of reimbursement, a
successful course completion is defined
as a grade of ‘‘C’’ or higher for
undergraduate courses, a ‘‘B’’ or higher
for graduate courses and a ‘‘Pass’’ for
‘‘Pass/Fail’’ grades. Reimbursement will
also be required from the Service
member if he or she fails to make up a
grade of ‘‘I’’ for incomplete within the
time limits stipulated by the institution
or 6 months after the completion of the
class, whichever comes first. The
Secretary of the Military Department
will establish recoupment processes for
unsuccessful completion of courses.
(10) Students using TA must maintain
a cumulative grade point average (GPA)
of 2.0 or higher after completing 15
semester hours, or equivalent, in
undergraduate studies, or a GPA of 3.0
or higher after completing 6 semester
hours or equivalent, in graduate studies,
on a 4.0 grading scale. If GPA falls
below these minimum GPA limits, TA
will not be authorized and Service
members will use alternative funding
(such as financial aid or personal funds)
to enroll in courses to raise the
cumulative GPA to 2.0 for
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49389
undergraduate studies or 3.0 for
graduate studies.
(11) TA will not be authorized for any
course for which a Service member
receives reimbursement in whole or in
part from any other Federal source
when the payment would constitute a
duplication of benefits. Academic
institutions have the responsibility to
notify the Service if there is any
duplication of benefits, determine the
amount of credit that should be
returned, and credit the amount back to
the Service. The use of funds related to
veterans’ benefits to supplement TA
received by active duty and Reserve
component personnel is authorized in
accordance with applicable VA
guidelines.
(12) Pell Grants may be used in
conjunction with TA assistance to pay
that portion of tuition costs not covered
by TA.
(13) TA will be provided for courses
provided by institutions awarding
degrees based on demonstrated
competency, if:
(i) Competency rates are equated to
semester or quarter units of credit, and
(ii) The institution publishes
traditional grade correlations with
‘‘Pass/Fail’’ grades, and
(iii) The institution provides a
breakdown by course equivalent for
Service members.
(14) Enrollment in a professional
practicum integral to these types of
programs is also authorized. However,
normal DoD TA caps and ceilings apply;
the cost of expanded levels of
enrollment over and above these
enrollment levels and normal caps and
ceilings must be borne by the student.
(15) When used for postsecondary
education, TA will be provided only for
courses offered by postsecondary
institutions whose home campus is
operating within the United States, to
include the District of Columbia and
U.S. territories, which are accredited by
a national or regional accrediting body
recognized by the ED.
(16) On a date to be determined, but
not earlier than 60 days following the
publication of this part in the Federal
Register, to receive TA, all institution
home campuses must sign the revised
DoD Voluntary Education Partnership
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
in appendices A, B, C, D, and E to this
part, and the name of the institution
must be posted on the DoD MOU Web
site under the ‘Participating Institutions’
tab (located at https://
www.dodmou.com). One signed, revised
DoD Voluntary Education Partnership
MOU with the institution’s home
campus will cover any program offered
by the institution, regardless of location.
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The requirement to sign the revised DoD
MOU contained in this part applies to
institutions with a previously approved
and signed DoD MOU posted on the
DoD MOU Web site.
(17) To the extent that any provision
of the standard language of the DoD
Voluntary Education Partnership MOU
template in appendices A, B, C, D, and
E to this part, results from DoD policy
that conflicts with a state law or
regulation, the DASD(MCFP) may
authorize amending the standard
language of the DoD Voluntary
Education Partnership MOU template
on a case-by-case basis to the extent
permissible by Federal law or
regulation.
(18) A DoD MOU with an institution
may be suspended or terminated by DoD
in the following circumstances:
(i) The DoD MOU with an institution
may be terminated by the ASD(R&FM)
following written notice and an
opportunity to respond for the failure to
comply with any element of this part of
the DoD MOU. In addition, an otherwise
qualified institution may be suspended
from participating in the tuition
assistance program by the ASD(R&FM)
following written notice and an
opportunity to respond through either
the termination of an existing DoD MOU
or the refusal by DoD to enter into a new
DoD MOU upon indictment of the
institution or any senior official of the
institution on a criminal charge related
to the operation of the institution. The
decision of the ASD(R&FM) in either of
these cases may be appealed to the
USD(P&R), and the decision of the
USD(P&R) will be deemed to be the final
administrative action by DoD on the
matter.
(ii) An otherwise qualified institution
may also be immediately suspended
from participating in the tuition
assistance program through either the
termination of an existing DoD MOU or
the refusal to enter into a new DoD
MOU by the USD(P&R) on national
security grounds. Written notice of the
action shall be provided to the
institution, and, if practicable without
damaging national security, the written
notice shall include a short unclassified
summary of the reasons for the action.
Such a decision of the USD(P&R) is only
appealable to the Secretary of Defense,
who has authorized the Deputy
Secretary of Defense to act on such an
appeal.
(iii) The authorities under this part
are not delegable.
(b) Guidelines for establishing,
maintaining, and operating voluntary
education programs.
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(1) Education programs established
under this part by each Military Service
will:
(i) Provide for the academic,
technical, intellectual, personal, and
professional development of Service
members, thereby contributing to the
readiness of the Military Services and
the quality of life of Service members
and their families.
(ii) Increase Service members’
opportunities for advancement and
leadership by reinforcing their academic
skills and occupational competencies
with new skills and knowledge.
(iii) Lead to a credential, such as a
high school diploma, certificate, or
college degree, signifying satisfactory
completion of the educational program.
(iv) Include an academic skills
program, which allows personnel to
upgrade their reading, writing,
computation, and communication
abilities in support of academic skills
and military occupations and careers.
Academic skills programs may include
English as a Second Language,
mathematics and basic science.
(v) Include programs and college
offerings that support findings from
periodic needs assessments conducted
by the appropriate installation official
(normally the Education Services
Officer) for programs provided on the
installation. The installation needs
assessment process is used to determine
such items as staffing requirements,
course offerings, size of facilities,
funding, or other standards for delivery
of educational programs. Duplication of
course offerings on an installation
should be avoided. However, the
availability of similar courses through
correspondence or electronic delivery
will not be considered duplication.
(vi) Be described in a publication or
on-line source that includes oninstallation educational programs,
programs available at nearby
installations, and colleges and
universities nearby the installation.
(2) Each Military Service, in
cooperation with community
educational service providers, will
provide support essential to operating
effective education programs. This
support includes:
(i) Adequate funds for program
implementation, administration, and
TA.
(ii) Adequately trained staff to
determine program needs, counsel
students, provide testing services, and
procure educational programs and
services. Education counseling will be
provided by qualified professional
(Education Services Series 1740 or
individual with equivalent
qualifications) individuals.
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(iii) Adequate and appropriate
classroom, laboratory, and office
facilities and equipment, including
computers to support local needs.
(iv) Access to telecommunications
networks, computers, and physical or
online libraries at times convenient to
active duty personnel.
(3) In operating its programs, each
Military Service will:
(i) Provide to newly assigned
personnel, as part of their orientation to
each new installation or unit of
assignment for Reserve component
personnel, information about voluntary
education programs available at that
installation, unit, or State for RC
personnel.
(ii) Maintain participants’ educational
records showing education
accomplishments and educational goals.
(iii) Provide for the continuing
professional development of their
education services staff, including the
participation of field staff in
professional, as well as Servicesponsored, conferences, symposiums,
and workshops.
(iv) Provide educational services,
including TA counseling, academic
advice and testing to their personnel
and to personnel of other Services
(including the U.S. Coast Guard when
operating as a service in the Navy) who
are assigned for duty at installations of
the host Service. These educational
services will be provided by qualified
professional (Education Services Series
1740 or individual with equivalent
qualifications) individuals in sufficient
numbers to operate voluntary education
programs as determined by individual
Service standards. Outcomes from these
educational services will include the
following:
(A) A prior learning assessment that
includes a review of all education
transcripts to include the joint services
transcript, the Community College of
the Air Force transcript, and academic
transcript recommendations for ACE
recommended credit.
(B) An assessment of readiness for the
education plan that is in support of the
Service member’s career goals and a
discussion of academic skills
development programs.
(C) Discussion and review of technical
credentials that can be obtained
concurrent to academic pursuits.
(D) Discussion of credit-byexamination options.
(E) Review of academic program
options, leading to a degree plan.
(F) Discussion with prospective
military students on payment options
and the use of education benefits for
postsecondary courses to include DoD
TA Program, Department of Veterans
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Affairs education benefit programs, state
and federal grants and loans,
commercial lending, and out-of-pocket
costs for the Service member.
Discussion will include streamlined
tools and information to compare
educational institutions using key
measures of affordability and value
through the VA eBenefits portal at
https://www.ebenefits.va.gov. The
eBenefits portal is updated by VA to
facilitate access to school performance
information and key Federal financial
aid documents.
(v) Continually assess the state of its
voluntary education programs and
periodically conduct a formal needs
assessment by the appropriate
installation official (normally the
Education Services Officer) to ensure
that the best possible programs are
available to their members at each
installation or in their State or area
command for RC personnel. It is
essential that a formal needs assessment
be conducted if there is a significant
change in the demographic profile of the
installation population.
(4) Eligible adult family members of
Service members, DoD civilian
employees and their eligible adult
family members, and military retirees
may participate in installation
postsecondary education programs on a
space-available basis at no cost to the
individual Service TA programs.
(5) At locations where an educational
program that is offered on an
installation is not otherwise
conveniently available outside the
installation, civilians who are not
directly employed by the DoD or other
Federal agencies, and who are not
eligible adult family members of DoD
personnel, may be allowed to
participate in installation educational
programs. While such participation
contributes to positive community
relations, participation must be on a
student-funded, space-available basis at
no cost to the individual Service TA
programs, after the registration of
Service members, DoD civilian
employees, eligible adult family
members, and military retirees.
Additionally, a review of these potential
participants by the relevant installation
ethics counselor may be required as part
of the installation commander’s access
requirements. Participation may also be
subject to the terms of status-of-forces or
other regulating agreements.
(6) Education centers and Navy
College offices will maintain liaison
with appropriate State planning and
approving agencies and coordinating
councils to ensure that planning
agencies for continuing, adult, or
postsecondary education are aware of
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the educational needs of military
personnel located within their
jurisdiction.
(7) In supporting a high school
completion program, each Military
Service will:
(i) Ensure that all Service members
with less than a high school education
have the opportunity to attain a high
school diploma or its equivalent.
(ii) Ensure that neither a Military
Service nor DANTES issues a certificate
or similar document to Service members
based on performance on high school
equivalency tests. Military Services will
recognize attainment of high school
completion or equivalency only after a
State- or territory-approved agency has
awarded the appropriate credential.
(iii) Pay 100 percent of the cost of
high school equivalency instruction or
proficiency testing and credentialing for
Service members.
(iv) Ensure that Service sponsored
high school diploma programs are
delivered by institutions that are Statefunded or a Service component program
accredited by a regional accrediting
body or recognized by a State’s
secondary school authority.
(c) Procedures for the installation
education advisor, on behalf of the
installation commander, to follow to
obtain voluntary education programs
and services from postsecondary
institutions of higher learning.
(1) Since contacts by a school with a
Service member for the purpose of
asking or encouraging the member to
sign up for one of the school’s programs
(assuming the program has some cost)
are considered personal commercial
solicitations, ensure schools comply
with DoD Instruction 1344.07, ‘‘Personal
Commercial Solicitation on DoD
Installations’’ (available at https://
www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/
134407p.pdf) and all requirements
established by the installation
commander for solicitation.
(2) Do not allow installation access to
marketing firms or companies that own,
operate, or represent higher-learning
institutions; this privilege is reserved
only for academic institution employees
meeting the requirements as stated in
the policy section of this part.
(3) Educational institutions interested
in providing education, guidance,
training opportunities, and participating
in education fairs on a military
installation provide their requests to the
installation education advisor, who will
review and analyze these requests on
behalf of the installation commander.
(4) The installation education advisor
will ensure all education institutions
granted access to military bases to
provide education, guidance, training
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opportunities, and participate in
education fairs to Service members:
(i) Adhere to federal law, DoD
Instruction 1344.07, DoD Instruction
1322.19, ‘‘Voluntary Education
Programs in Overseas Areas’’ (available
at https://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/
corres/pdf/132219p.pdf; and the
cognizant Military Service’s policies
and regulations.
(ii) Comply with applicable
installation policies and procedures
designated by the installation
commander on such matters as fire and
safety, environment, physical security,
personnel background checks, vehicle
inspection and registration, and any
other applicable statutes or regulations
designated by the installation
commander.
(5) Monitor institutions granted access
to an installation to ensure they do not:
(i) Use unfair, deceptive, abusive or
fraudulent devices, schemes, or
artifices, including misleading
advertising or sales literature.
(ii) Engage in unfair, deceptive, or
abusive marketing tactics such as unit
briefings or assemblies, open recruiting
efforts or distribution of marketing
materials on the installation.
(iii) Market to or recruit newly
assigned military personnel to the
installation, unless the Service member
has received information about
voluntary education programs and
educational services available at that
installation, to include TA, from their
education services staff or as part of
their orientation to the new installation.
(6) Ensure institutions of higher
learning granted access to military
installations to provide programs,
services, or education guidance to their
students meet the following criteria:
(i) Have a signed MOU with DoD.
(ii) Are in compliance with state
requirements where services will be
rendered.
(iii) Are State approved for the use of
veteran’s education benefits. For DL
courses and programs, State approval
for the use of veteran’s education
benefits will be certified in the State
where the DL course or program
originated or is managed. Copies of the
certification will be filed with the
appropriate state approving agency for
the military or veteran student.
(iv) Are participating in Federal
student aid programs through the U.S.
Department of Education under title IV
of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
(v) Are accredited by a national or
regional accrediting body recognized by
the U.S. Department of Education and
conduct programs only from among
those offered or authorized by the main
administrative and academic office in
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accordance with standard procedures
for authorization of degree programs by
the institution.
(7) Military installations seeking an
institution to provide on-installation
education programs, through the
installation education advisor, must:
(i) Communicate the installation’s
educational needs to a wide variety of
potential providers.
(ii) Seek favorable tuition rates,
student services, and instructional
support from providers.
(iii) Provide to interested providers:
(A) The level of services, instruction
desired and specific degree programs
being sought.
(B) A demographic profile of the
installation population and probable
volume of participation in the program.
(C) Facilities and level of security at
no charge to the institution.
(D) Cost associated with equipment
and supporting services provided at the
discretion of the installation.
(E) A copy of this part.
(F) Special requirements such as:
(1) Format (e.g., distance, evening, or
weekend classes), independent study,
short seminar, or other mode of delivery
of instruction.
(2) Unique scheduling problems
related to the operational mission of the
installation.
(3) Any installation restrictions,
limitations, or special considerations
relevant to using an alternate delivery
system (DL, etc.).
(4) Available computer hardware and
supporting equipment.
(5) Electrical, satellite, and network
capabilities at the site.
(8) In evaluating proposals,
installation education advisors must
ensure potential providers meet, at a
minimum, the following criteria:
(i) Programs satisfy objectives defined
by the most recent needs assessment.
(ii) Programs, courses, and completion
requirements are the same as those at
the provider’s main administrative and
academic campus.
(iii) The institution granting
undergraduate academic credit must
adhere to the Servicemembers
Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Principles
and Criteria (available at https://
www.soc.aascu.org/socconsortium/
PublicationsSOC.html) regarding the
transferability of credit, the awarding of
credit for military training and
experience, and residency requirements.
(iv) The provider is prepared to:
(A) Offer academic counseling and
flexibility in accommodating special
military schedules.
(B) Ensure main administrative and
academic office approval in faculty
selection, assignment, and orientation;
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and participation in monitoring and
evaluation of programs. Adjunct or parttime faculty will possess comparable
qualifications as full-time permanent
faculty members.
(C) Conduct on-installation courses
that carry identical credit values,
represent the same content and
experience, and use the same student
evaluation procedures as courses offered
through the main administrative and
academic campus. All substantive
course change requirements must follow
the schools accreditation agencies
requirements. If the institution’s
accrediting agency’s substantive change
policy requires new courses or program
offerings to be submitted to the agency
for approval, the institution will be
required to submit such items for
approval prior to admitting Service
members using military TA.
(D) Maintain the same admission and
graduation standards that exist for the
same programs at the main
administrative and academic office, and
include credits from courses taken offcampus in establishing academic
residency to meet degree requirements.
(E) Provide library and other reference
and research resources, in either print or
electronic format, that are appropriate
and necessary to support course
offerings.
(F) Establish procedures to maintain
regular communication between central
institutional academic leadership and
administrators and off-campus
representatives and faculty. Any
institution’s proposal must specify these
procedures.
(G) Provide students with regular and
accessible academic and financial
counseling services either electronically
or in-person. At a minimum, this
includes Title IV and VA education
benefits.
(H) Charge tuition that is not more
than tuition charged to nonmilitary
students.
(I) Have established policies for
awarding credit for military training by
examinations, experiential learning, and
courses completed using modes of
delivery other than instructor-delivered,
on-site classroom instruction.
(J) Conduct programs only from
among those offered or authorized by
the main administrative and academic
office in accordance with standard
procedures for authorization of degree
programs by the institution.
(d) Requirements and procedures for
institutions seeking access to the
military installation solely to provide
education guidance.
(1) Institutions must meet the criteria
in paragraphs (c)(6)(i) through (c)(6)(v)
of this section.
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(2) Institutions must have an on
installation student population of at
least 20 active duty military students,
except in overseas locations covered by
DoD Instruction 1322.19. For this
exception, only contracted institutions
are permitted on overseas installations.
(3) Institutions must request access
through the installation education
advisor or Navy College Office Director
via a written proposal. If a request is
received from an institution seeking
access to a joint military installation, the
education advisor or Navy College
Office Director from the installation
education centers will work together to
determine the appropriate Military
Service to work the request. The request
should include as a minimum:
(i) Institution name and intent or
purpose of the visit.
(ii) Number and names of school
representatives that will be available.
(iii) Counseling delivery method: By
appointment or walk-in.
(iv) Communication process used to
inform students of their availability for
counseling.
(4) The installation education advisor
will review and analyze the request on
behalf of the installation commander.
The installation commander has the
final authority to approve, deny,
suspend, or withdraw installation
access permission from an institution,
as deemed appropriate.
(5) If a request is received from an
institution seeking access to a military
installation, the installation education
advisor or Navy College Office Director
will:
(i) Fully consider requests from those
institutions complying with
requirements as stated in paragraphs
(d)(1) through (d)(3) of this section and
be consistent in treatment of institutions
in accordance with this part. Also,
consider the value to the Service
member as it relates to geographic
location, accessibility and mission
tempo.
(ii) If request is denied, provide a
timely response to the institution;
inform institution they may reapply for
access once reasons for denial are
addressed.
(iii) Maintain copies of all
correspondence in accordance with the
installation records management
schedule and disposition, with a
minimum time requirement of two
years.
(6) If an installation grants access to
an institution to provide guidance to
their students, the institution will:
(i) Only advise or counsel students at
the education center or at a location
approved by the education advisor.
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(ii) Maintain a list of students
counseled and provide a copy to the
education office. List will annotate type
of program and status of the Service
member (current or reenrollment).
(iii) Comply with applicable
installation policies and procedures
designated by the installation
commander on such matters as fire and
safety, environment, physical security,
personnel background checks, vehicle
inspection and registration, and any
other applicable statutes or regulations
designated by the installation
commander.
(e) Interservice Voluntary Education
Board. Under the direction of the
Voluntary Education Chief, the
Interservice Voluntary Education Board
is composed of full-time or permanent
part-time employees of DoD or military
members, and consists of one
representative responsible for policy
from the Office of the ASD(RA), and the
senior voluntary education advisor
responsible for policy each from the
Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine
Corps The Director, DANTES, will serve
as an ex-officio member. Meeting
quarterly, the Board will:
(1) Provide a forum for the exchange
of information and discussion of issues
related to voluntary education
programs.
(2) Develop recommendations for
changes in policies and procedures.
(3) Develop recommendations for
DANTES’ activities and operations that
support voluntary education programs.
(4) Review and prioritize DANTES
activities that support DoD voluntary
education programs, to include budget
execution and recommend execution
year adjustments.
(5) Develop recommended policy and
program guidance for DANTES for the
Future-Year Defense Program.
(f) DANTES.
(1) Guidance and recommendations
for DANTES will be developed with the
advice of the Interservice Voluntary
Education Board.
(2) The selection and rating of the
Director, DANTES will be as follows:
(i) The DASD(MCFP) will convene
and chair the search committee
responsible for replacing the Director,
DANTES, when the position is vacated.
At the request of the USD(P&R), the
Secretaries of the Military Departments
will provide a senior manager to sit on
the search committee. The committee
will recommend the best qualified
candidate to the DoD EA for DANTES,
for possible appointment as the
Director, DANTES.
(ii) The DoD EA for DANTES will
designate the rater of the Director,
DANTES. The Director, State Liaison
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and Educational Opportunity within the
Office of the USD(P&R), MCFP, will
provide input to the DoD EA designated
rater concerning the performance of the
Director, DANTES.
(3) DANTES will:
(i) Support the Service voluntary
education programs by executing the
program outlined in this part and the
annual USD(P&R) supplemental
guidance for those items not reflected in
this paragraph of this section.
(ii) Provide execution information to
the Interservice Voluntary Education
Board quarterly and provide
information required to assist with the
program objective memorandum
development as requested by the Board.
(iii) Support DoD off-duty, voluntary
education programs and conduct special
projects and developmental activities in
support of education-related DoD
functions.
(iv) Assist the Military Services in
providing high-quality and valuable
educational opportunities for Service
members, their eligible adult family
members, and DoD personnel, and assist
personnel in achieving professional and
personal educational objectives. This
role includes the consolidated
management of programs that prevent
duplication of effort among the Services.
Through its activities, DANTES
supports DoD recruitment, retention,
and the transition efforts.
(v) Assume responsibilities and
functions that include:
(A) Managing and facilitating the
delivery of a wide variety of
examinations including the General
Equivalency Diploma test, college
admissions, credit-by-examination
programs, and an extensive number of
certification examinations.
(B) Upon request, issuing transcripts
for the United States Armed Forces
Institute and the examination and
certification programs.
(C) Managing the contract through
which former DoD Dependents Schools
students can obtain copies of archived
transcripts.
(D) Managing the contract and
functions related to the evaluation of
educational experiences in the Military
Services that are covered by the
contract.
(E) Providing or developing and
distributing educational materials,
reference books, counseling
publications, educational software, and
key educational resource information to
DoD Components and the installations.
(F) Managing the SOC program
contract and related functions.
(G) Managing the DoD contract that
provides for periodic third-party
reviews of DoD voluntary education
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49393
programs entitled the Third Party
Education Assessment.
(H) Managing the data received on the
voluntary education programs for the
Voluntary Education Management
Information System (VEMIS), which
includes gathering, collating, and
verifying participation and cost data
from the Services. Providing requisite
consolidated reports to USD(P&R).
Requested data from the Military
Services on voluntary education
programs is located and stored at
https://afaems.langley.af.mil/vemis. A
user guide containing voluntary
education program data and report
information for the Military Services
and DANTES is also available at this
Web site, under the ‘‘Resources’’ tab.
(I) Managing the DoD independent
study catalog and its support systems, as
required.
(J) Negotiating, administering, and
coordinating contracts for DoD
Worldwide Education Symposiums in
support of and in conjunction with the
Interservice Voluntary Education Board.
(K) Establishing, refining, updating,
and maintaining information on
worldwide education support of DoD
off-duty, voluntary education programs
on the Internet. Maintaining necessary
infrastructure to ensure that information
on the Internet is always current and
available to leadership, agency
personnel, the public, and others.
(L) Administering the TTT program in
accordance with section 1154 of chapter
58 of 10 U.S.C.
(M) Monitoring new technological
developments, providing reports, cost
analyses, and recommendations on
educational innovations, and
conducting special projects requested by
the Department of Defense and the
Services, approved by the Interservice
Voluntary Education Board, and as
reflected and approved in DANTES’
annual policy guidance.
(N) Conducting staff development
training on DANTES’ policies,
procedures, and practices related to
voluntary education testing programs,
and providing additional training as
requested by the Office of the Secretary
of Defense and the Services.
(O) Serving as the Defense Media
Activity’s point of contact for
information on DANTES programs for
military personnel.
(P) Providing support, as requested, to
DoD and Service Quality of Life and
Transition support programs.
(Q) Providing other support in
mission areas as directed by the
USD(P&R) and the DASD(MCFP).
(R) Managing DoD Contingency TriService Contracts, which provide
educational opportunities for deployed
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Service members with guidance and
oversight from the DoD Voluntary
Education Chief.
(S) Monitoring and maintaining
liaison with the office responsible for
consolidating and distributing the joint
services transcript for the Services.
(vi) Maintain liaison with education
services officials of the Military
Services, and appropriate Federal and
State agencies and educational
associations, in matters related to the
DANTES mission and assigned
functions.
(vii) Serve on panels and working
groups designated by the DASD(MCFP).
(viii) Serve as the Executive Secretary
at the Interservice Voluntary Education
Board meeting convened annually to
review DANTES programs and to
develop recommendations for inclusion
in annual policy guidance for DANTES.
In this role, the Director, DANTES, will
coordinate the meeting, prepare the
agenda, review and analyze DANTES
programs and initiatives outlined in the
prior year’s operational plan, and
provide minutes after the meeting.
(ix) Maintain the repository for the
DoD Voluntary Education Partnership
MOU between USD(P&R) and partner
institutions, to include Service-specific
addendums (see the Appendix to this
section for template of DoD MOU).
DANTES will:
(A) Administer and update the system
that stores the repository of the MOUs
per guidance from USD(P&R).
(B) Create, track, and maintain a
centrally managed database for all
signed documents.
(C) Publish an Internet-based list of all
institutions that have a signed
partnership DoD MOU.
(D) Generate reports in accordance
with guidance from the USD(P&R) and
procedures in DTM 12–004, ‘‘DoD
Internal Information Collections’’
(available at https://www.dtic.mil/whs/
directives/corres/pdf/DTM-12-004.pdf)
and DoD 8910–1–M, ‘‘Department of
Defense Procedures for Management of
Information Requirements’’ (available at
https://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/
corres/pdf/891001m.pdf).
(x) Provide data analyses and generate
reports required by DoD and the
Interservice Voluntary Education Board
as needed.
Appendix A to Part 68—DoD Voluntary
Education Partnership Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) Between DoD
Office of the Under Secretary of Defense
for Personnel and Readiness
(USD(P&R)) and [Name of Educational
Institution]
1. Preamble.
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a. Providing access to quality
postsecondary education opportunities is a
strategic investment that enhances the U.S.
Service member’s ability to support mission
accomplishment and successfully return to
civilian life. A forward-leaning, lifelong
learning environment is fundamental to the
maintenance of a mentally powerful and
adaptive leadership-ready force. Today’s fastpaced and highly mobile environment, where
frequent deployments and mobilizations are
required to support the Nation’s policies and
objectives, requires DoD to sponsor
postsecondary educational programs using a
variety of learning modalities that include
instructor-led courses offered both on- and
off-installation, as well as distance learning
options. All are designed to support the
professional and personal development and
progress of the Service members and our DoD
civilian workforce.
b. Making these postsecondary programs
available to the military community as a
whole further provides Service members,
their eligible adult family members, DoD
civilian employees, and military retirees
ways to advance their personal education
and career aspirations and prepares them for
future vocational pursuits, both inside and
outside of DoD. This helps strengthen the
Nation by producing a well-educated
citizenry and ensures the availability of a
significant quality-of-life asset that enhances
recruitment and retention efforts in an allvolunteer force.
2. Purpose.
a. This MOU articulates the commitment
and agreement educational institutions
provide to DoD by accepting funds via each
Service’s tuition assistance (TA) program in
exchange for education services.
b. This MOU is not an obligation of funds,
guarantee of program enrollments by DoD
personnel, their eligible adult family
members, DoD civilian employees, and
retirees in an educational institution’s
academic programs, or a guarantee for
installation access.
c. This MOU covers courses delivered by
educational institutions through all
modalities. These include, but are not limited
to, classroom instruction, distance education
(i.e., web-based, CD–ROM, or multimedia)
and correspondence courses.
d. This MOU includes high school
programs, academic skills programs, and
adult education programs for military
personnel and their eligible adult family
members.
e. This MOU articulates regulatory and
governing directives and instructions:
(1) Eligibility of DoD recipients is governed
by Federal law, DoD Instruction 1322.25,
DoD Directive 1322.08E, and the cognizant
Military Service’s policies, regulations, and
fiscal constraints.
(2) Postsecondary educational programs
provided to Service members using TA on
military installations outside of the United
States, will be operated in accordance with
guidance from DoD Instruction 1322.25, DoD
Instruction 1322.19, section 1212 of Public
Law 99–145, as amended by section 518 of
Public Law 101–189; and under the terms of
the Tri-Services contract currently in effect.
f. This MOU is subject at all times to
Federal law and the rules, guidelines, and
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regulations of DoD. Any conflicts between
this MOU and such Federal law, rules,
guidelines, and regulations will be resolved
in favor of the Federal law, rules, guidelines,
or regulations.
3. Educational Institution (Including
Certificate and Degree Granting Educational
Institutions) Requirements for TA.
Educational institutions must:
a. Sign and adhere to requirements of this
MOU, including Service-specific addendums
as appropriate, prior to being eligible to
receive TA payments.
(1) Those educational institutions that have
a current MOU with DoD will sign this MOU:
(a) At the expiration of their current MOU;
(b) At the request of DoD or the specific
Military Service holding a separate current
MOU. The DoD Voluntary Education
Partnership MOU (which includes the
Service-specific addendums) is required for
an institution to participate in the DoD TA
Program. An ‘‘installation MOU’’ (which is
separate from this MOU) is only required if
an institution is operating on a military
installation. The installation MOU:
1. Contains the installation-unique
requirements that the installation’s education
advisor coordinated, documented, and
retained; is approved by the appropriate
Service voluntary education representative;
and is presented to the installation
commander for final approval.
2. Cannot conflict with the DoD Voluntary
Education Partnership MOU and governing
regulations.
(2) Educational institutions must comply
with this MOU and the requirements in
Service-specific addendums that do not
conflict with governing Federal law and
rules, guidelines, and regulations, which
include, but are not limited to, Title 10 of the
U.S. Code; DoD Directive 1322.08E,
‘‘Voluntary Education Programs for Military
Personnel’’; DoD Instruction 1322.25,
‘‘Voluntary Education Programs’’; DoD
Instruction 1322.19, ‘‘Voluntary Education
Programs in Overseas Areas’’; and all
installation requirements imposed by the
installation commander, if the educational
institution has been approved to operate on
a particular base. Educational institutions
failing to comply with the requirements set
forth in this MOU may receive a letter of
warning, be denied the opportunity to
establish new programs, have their MOU
terminated, be removed from the installation,
and may have the approval of the issuance
of TA withdrawn by the Service concerned.
b. Be accredited by a national or regional
accrediting agency recognized by the U.S.
Department of Education, approved for VA
funding, and participating in Federal student
aid programs through the Department of
Education under Title IV of the Higher
Education Act of 1965.
c. Comply with the regulatory guidance
provided by DoD and the Services.
d. Participate in the Third Party Education
Assessment process when requested. This
requirement applies not only to institutions
providing courses on military installations,
but also to those institutions that provide
postsecondary instruction that is not located
on the military installation or via DL.
(1) If an institution is operating on the
military installation, the institution will
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resolve the assessment report findings and
provide corrective actions taken within six
months following the Third Party Education
Assessment to the appropriate education
advisor on the military installation, the
appropriate Service Voluntary Education
Chief, and the DoD Voluntary Education
Chief.
(2) If an institution is operating off the
military installation or via DL, the institution
will resolve the assessment report findings
and provide corrective actions taken within
six months following the Third Party
Education Assessment to the DoD Voluntary
Education Chief.
(3) In instances when the resolution action
cannot be completed within the six month
timeframe, the institution will submit a
status report every three months to the
appropriate education advisor on the military
installation if the institution is operating on
the military installation, and the DoD
Voluntary Education Chief, until the
recommendation is resolved.
e. Prior to enrollment, provide each
student with specific information on
locating, understanding, and using the
following tools:
(1) The College Scorecard is a consumer
planning tool and resource to assist
prospective students and their families as
they evaluate options in selecting a school
and is located at: https://collegecost.ed.gov/
scorecard/.
(2) The Department of Education’s
Financial Aid Shopping Sheet is used by
institutions to assist prospective students and
their families better understand the costs of
attending an institution before making the
final decision on where to enroll. The
Shopping Sheet is located at https://
collegecost.ed.gov/shopping_sheet.pdf.
(3) The Consumer Financial Protection
Bureau, located at https://
www.consumerfinance.gov. The Web site
allows prospective students to enter the
names of up to three schools and receives
detailed financial information on each one
and to enter actual financial aid award
information.
f. Designate a point of contact or office for
academic and financial advising, including
access to disability counseling, to assist
Service members with completion of studies
and with job search activities.
(1) The designated person or office will
serve as a point of contact for Service
members seeking information about
available, appropriate academic counseling,
financial aid counseling, and student support
services at the institution;
(2) Point of contact will have:
(a) Basic understanding of the military
tuition assistance program, Department of
Education Title IV funding, education
benefits offered by the VA, and familiarity
with institutional services available to assist
Service members; and
(b) The point of contact does not need to
be exclusively dedicated to providing these
services and, as appropriate, may refer the
Service member to other individuals with an
ability to provide these services, both on- and
off-campus.
g. Prior to offering, recommending,
arranging, signing-up, dispersing, or
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enrolling Service members for private
student loans, provide Service members
access to an institutional financial aid
advisor who will make available appropriate
loan counseling to include but not limited to:
(1) Providing a clear and complete
explanation of available financial aid, to
include Title IV of the Higher Education Act
of 1965, as amended;
(2) Describing the differences between
private and Federal student loans and how
Federal student loans generally offer more
favorable terms, conditions, repayment and
forgiveness options;
(3) Disclosing the institution’s student loan
Cohort Default Rate (CDR), the percentage of
its students who borrow, and how its CDR
compares to the national average. If the
institution’s CDR is greater than the national
average CDR, it must disclose that
information and provide the student with
loan repayment data; and
(4) Explaining that students have the
ability to refuse all or borrow less than the
maximum student loan amount allowed.
h. Have a readmissions policy for Service
members:
(1) Allow Service members and reservists
to be readmitted to a program if they are
temporarily unable to attend class or have to
suspend their studies due to service
requirements.
(2) Follow the regulation released by the
Department of Education (34 CFR 668.8)
regarding readmissions requirements for
returning Service members seeking
readmission to a program that was
interrupted due to a Military service
obligation, and to apply those provisions to
Service members that are temporarily unable
to attend classes for less than 30 days within
a semester or similar enrollment period due
to a Military service obligation. A description
of the provisions for U.S. Armed Forces
members and their families is provided in
Chapter 3 of Volume 2 of the Federal Student
Aid Handbook.
i. Have policies in place and within
compliance with the regulations issued by
the Department of Education (34 CFR
688.71–668.75 and 668.14) related to
program integrity issues, including
restrictions on recruitment,
misrepresentation, and payment of incentive
compensation. Adopt an institutional policy
banning inducements (including any
gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment,
hospitality, loan, transportation, lodging,
meals, or other item having a monetary value
of more than a de minimus amount) to any
individual or entity (other than salaries paid
to employees or fees paid to contractors in
conformity with all applicable laws) for the
purpose of securing enrollments of Service
members or obtaining access to TA funds as
part of efforts to eliminate unfair, deceptive,
and abusive marketing aimed at Service
members.
j. Have policies in place and within
compliance with the regulations issued by
the Department of Education (34 CFR 688.43,
668.71–668.75, 668.14 and 600.9) related to
program integrity issues, including State
authorization. Refrain from high-pressure
recruitment tactics as part of efforts to
eliminate unfair, deceptive, and abusive
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marketing aimed at Service members. Such
tactics include making multiple unsolicited
phone calls to Service members for the
purpose of securing their enrollment.
k. Refrain from providing any commission,
bonus, or other incentive payment based
directly or indirectly or use third party lead
generators on securing enrollments or
Federal financial aid (including TA funds) to
any persons or entities engaged in any
student recruiting, admission activities, or
making decisions regarding the award of
student financial assistance. These tactics are
discouraged as part of efforts to eliminate
unfair, deceptive, and abusive marketing
aimed at Service members.
l. Refrain from automatic program
renewals, bundling courses or enrollments.
The student and Military Service must
approve all course enrollments prior to the
start date of the class.
m. If the institution is a member of the
Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC),
in addition to the requirements stated in
paragraphs 3.a through 3.l of this DoD MOU,
the institution will:
(1) Adhere to the SOC Principles, Criteria,
and Military Student Bill of Rights. (located
at https://www.soc.aascu.org/socconsortium/
PublicationsSOC.html).
(2) Provide processes to determine credit
awards and learning acquired for specialized
military training and occupational
experience when applicable to a Service
member’s degree program.
(3) Recognize and use the ACE Guide to the
Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the
Armed Services to determine the value of
learning acquired in military service. Award
credit for appropriate learning acquired in
military service at levels consistent with ACE
Guide recommendations and/or those
transcripted by the Community College of the
Air Force, when applicable to a Service
member’s program.
n. If an institution elects not to be a
member of SOC, in addition to the
requirements stated in paragraphs 3.a.
through 3.l. of this DoD MOU, the institution
will:
(1) Disclose its transfer credit policies prior
to a Service member’s enrollment.
(a) If the institution accepts transfer credit
from other accredited institutions, then the
institution agrees to evaluate these credits in
conformity with the principles set forth in
the Joint Statement on the Transfer and
Award of Credit developed by members of
the American Association of Collegiate
Registrars and Admissions Officers, the
American Council on Education, and the
Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
The institution will then award appropriate
credit, to the extent practicable within the
framework of its institutional mission and
academic policies.
(b) Decisions about the amount of transfer
credit accepted, and how it will be applied
to the student’s program, will be left to the
institution.
(2) Disclose its policies on how they award
academic credit for prior learning
experiences, including military training and
experiential learning opportunities provided
by the Military Services, at or before a
Service member’s enrollment.
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(a) In so far as the institution’s policies
generally permit for the award of credit for
comparable prior learning experiences, the
institution agrees to evaluate the learning
experiences documented on the Service
member’s official Service transcripts, and, if
appropriate, award credit.
(b) The joint services transcript is an
official education transcripts tool for
documenting the recommended college
credits for professional military education,
training courses, and occupational
experiences of Service members across the
Services. The joint services transcript
incorporates data from documents such as
the Army/ACE Registry Transcript System,
the Sailor/Marine ACE Registry Transcript
System, the Community College of the Air
Force transcript, and the Coast Guard
Institute transcript.
(c) Decisions about the amount of
experiential learning credit awarded, and
how it will be applied to the student’s
program, will be left to the institution. Once
an institution has evaluated a particular
military training or experiential learning
opportunity for a given program, the
institution may rely on its prior evaluation to
make future decisions about awarding credit
to Service members with the same military
training and experience documentation,
provided that the course content has not
changed.
(3) If general policy permits, transfer credit
or credit awarded for prior learning may:
(a) Replace a required course within the
major;
(b) Apply as an optional course within the
major;
(c) Apply as a general elective;
(d) Apply as a basic degree requirement; or
(e) Waive a prerequisite.
(4) Disclose to Service members any
academic residency requirements pertaining
to the student’s program of study, including
total and any final year or final semester
residency requirement at or before the time
the student enrolls in the program.
(5) Disclose basic information about the
institution’s programs and costs, including
tuition and other charges to the Service
member. This information will be made
readily accessible without requiring the
Service member to disclose any personal or
contact information.
(6) Prior to enrollment, provide Service
members with information on institutional
‘‘drop/add,’’ withdrawal, and readmission
policies and procedures to include
information on the potential impact of
military duties (such as unanticipated
deployments or mobilization, activation, and
temporary duty assignments) on the student’s
academic standing and financial
responsibilities. For example, a Service
member’s military duties may require
relocation to an area where he or she is
unable to maintain consistent computer
connectivity with the institution, which
could have implications for the Service
member’s enrollment status. This
information will also include an explanation
of the institution’s grievance policy and
process.
(7) Conduct academic screening and
competency testing; make course placement
based on student readiness.
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4. TA Program Requirements for
Educational Institutions
a. One Single Tuition Rate. All Service
members attending the same institution, at
the same location, enrolled in the same
course, will be charged the same tuition rate
without regard to their Service component.
This single tuition rate includes active duty
Service members and the National Guard and
Reservists who are activated under Title 10
and using Title 10 Military Tuition
Assistance, in order to assure that tuition rate
distinctions are not made based on the
Service members’ branches of Service.
(1) It is understood tuition rates may vary
by mode of delivery (traditional or online), at
the differing degree levels and programs, and
residency designations (in-state or out-ofstate). Tuition rates may also vary based on
full-time or part-time status, daytime vs.
evening classes, or matriculation date, such
as in the case of a guaranteed tuition
program.
(2) It is also understood that some States
have mandated State rates for Guard and
Reservists within the State. (Those Guard and
Reservists not activated on title 10, U.S. Code
orders).
b. Course Enrollment Information. The
educational institutions will provide course
enrollment, course withdrawal, course
cancellation, course completion or failure,
grade, verification of degree completion, and
billing information to the TA issuing
Service’s education office, as outlined in the
Service’s regulations and instructions.
(1) Under section 1232g of title 20, United
States Code (also known as ‘‘The Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act’’ and
hereinafter referred to as ‘‘FERPA’’), DoD
recognizes that institutions are required to
obtain consent before sharing personally
identifiable non-directory information with a
third party. Service members must authorize
the institutions to release and forward course
enrollment information required in 4.b. to
DoD prior to approval of course enrollment
using tuition assistance.
(2) If an institution wants to ensure
confidentiality during the transmission of
data to the third party, then the institution
can contact the appropriate Service TA
management point of contact to discuss
security and confidentiality concerns prior to
transmitting information.
c. Degree Requirements and Evaluated
Education Plans
(1) Institutions will disclose general degree
requirements for the Service member’s
educational program (education plan) to the
member and his or her Service prior to the
enrollment of the Service member at the
institution. These requirements, typically
articulated in the institution’s course catalog,
should:
(a) Include the total number of credits
needed for graduation.
(b) Divide the coursework students must
complete in accordance with institutional
academic policies into general education,
required, and elective courses.
(c) Articulate any additional departmental
or graduate academic requirements, such as
satisfying institutional and major field grade
point average requirements, a passing grade
in any comprehensive exams, or completion
of a thesis or dissertation.
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(2) In addition to providing degree
requirements, the institution will provide to
Service members who have previous
coursework from other accredited
institutions and relevant military training
and experiential learning an evaluated
educational plan that indicates how many, if
any, transfer credits it intends to award and
how these will be applied toward the Service
member’s educational program. The
evaluated educational plan will be provided
within 60 days after the individual has
selected a degree program and all required
official transcripts have been received.
(3) When a Service member changes his or
her educational goal or major at the attending
school and the Services’ education advisor
approves the change, then the institution will
provide a new evaluated educational plan to
the Service member and the Service. Only
courses listed in the Service member’s
education plan will be approved for TA.
(4) Degree requirements in effect at the
time of each Service member’s enrollment
will remain in effect for a period of at least
one year beyond the program’s standard
length, provided the Service member is in
good academic standing and has been
continuously enrolled or received an
approved academic leave of absence.
Adjustments to degree requirements may be
made as a result of formal changes to
academic policy pursuant to institutional or
departmental determination, provided that:
(a) They go into effect at least two years
after affected students have been notified; or
(b) In instances when courses or programs
are no longer available or changes have been
mandated by a State or accrediting body, the
institution will work with affected Service
members to identify substitutions that would
not hinder the student from graduating in a
timely manner.
(5) Prior to the enrollment of a Service
member, the institution must obtain the
approval of the institution’s accrediting
agency for a new course or program offering,
provided such approval is appropriate under
the substantive change requirements of the
accrediting agency.
d. Approved and TA Eligible Courses.
(1) Approved Courses. If an eligible Service
member decides to use TA, educational
institutions will enroll him or her only after
the TA is approved by the individual’s
Service. Service members will be solely
responsible for all tuition costs without this
prior approval. This requirement does not
prohibit an educational institution from preregistering a Service member in a course in
order to secure a slot in the course. If a
school enrolls the Service member before the
appropriate Service approves Military TA,
then the Service member could be
responsible for the tuition. All Military TA
must be requested and approved prior to the
start date of the course. The Military TA is
approved on a course-by-course basis and
only for the specific course(s) and class dates
that a Service member requests. If a military
student ‘‘self-identifies’’ their eligibility and
the Service has not approved the funding,
then the Service member will be solely
responsible for all tuition costs, not the
Service.
(2) TA Eligible Courses. Courses will be
considered eligible for TA if they are:
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(a) Part of an individual’s evaluated
educational plan; or
(b) Prerequisites for courses within the
individual’s evaluated educational plan; or
(c) Required for acceptance into a higherlevel degree program, unless otherwise
specified by Service regulations.
e. Use of Financial Aid with TA.
(1) ‘‘Top-Up’’ eligible active duty DoD
personnel may use this Montgomery or Post9/11 G.I. Bill benefit in conjunction with TA
funds from their Service to cover those
course costs to the Service member that
exceed the amount of TA paid by his or her
Service. Reserve Component members who
have paid for Chapter 30 G.I. Bill benefits
may use those benefits concurrently with TA.
Reserve Component members who have
earned entitlement for the Post-9/11 G.I., Bill
may combine VA benefits and TA as long as
the combined benefits do not total more than
100 percent of the actual costs of tuition.
(2) DoD personnel are entitled to
consideration for all forms of financial aid
that educational institutions make available
to students at their home campus.
Educational institution financial aid officers
will provide information and application
processes for Title IV student aid programs,
scholarships, fellowships, grants, loans, etc.,
to DoD TA recipients.
(3) Service members identified as eligible
DoD TA recipients, who qualify for Pell
Grants through the Department of
Education’s student aid program, will have
their TA benefits applied to their educational
institution’s account prior to the application
of their Pell Grant funds to their account.
Unlike TA funds, which are tuitionrestricted, Pell Grant funds are not tuitionrestricted and may be applied to other
allowable charges on the account.
f. Administration of Tuition.
(1) The Services will provide TA in
accordance with DoD- and Serviceappropriate regulations.
(2) TA will be limited to tuition and is
refundable in accordance with the
institution’s tuition refund policy.
Additionally, the following refund
requirements must be met:
(a) Must be 100 percent refundable up until
the start of the course.
(b) The institution’s policy for returning
unearned TA funds for Service members who
stop attending due to Military service
obligations must be aligned with provisions
in section 484B of Title IV of the Higher
Education Act of 1965, and the Department
of Education regulations set out at 34 CFR
668.22.
(c) The institution’s policy for returning
unearned TA funds for Service members who
withdraw prior to the course completion
must be aligned with provisions in section
484B of Title IV of the Higher Education Act
of 1965, and with Department of Education
regulations set out at 34 CFR 668.22.
(3) Tuition charged to a Service member
will in no case exceed the rate charged to
nonmilitary students, unless agreed upon in
writing by both the institution and the
Service.
(4) Institutions will provide their tuition
charges for each degree program to the
Services on an annual basis. Any changes in
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the tuition charges will be provided to and
justified to all the Services, as soon as
possible, but not fewer than 90 days prior to
implementation. If the MOU is with a single
educational institution, at a single location,
with only one Service, the justification will
be provided to that Service, which will then
provide that information to the other
Services.
(a) Tuition at many public institutions are
established by entities over which they have
no jurisdiction, such as State legislatures and
boards. As such, in some instances tuition
decisions will not be made within the 90-day
requirement window.
(b) When this happens, the institution
should request a waiver (via the DoD MOU
Web page) and provide the Services with the
new tuition charges. This will ensure the
correct rates are applied when a Service
member requests tuition to attend the State
institution.
(5) Refunds of Government-funded TA will
be paid in accordance with the institution’s
published refund policy and will go to the
Service, not to the Service member.
(6) The institution will refund to the
Service the total amount of tuition paid for
a course that is cancelled by the institution.
(7) TA invoicing information is located in
the Service-specific addendums attached to
this MOU.
g. Course Cancellations. Institutions are
responsible for notifying Service members of
class cancellations for both classroom and DL
courses.
h. Materials and Electronic Accessibility.
(1) Institutions will ensure that course
materials are readily available, either
electronically or in print medium, and
provide information about where the student
may obtain class materials at the time of
enrollment or registration.
(2) Institutional representatives will refrain
from encouraging or requiring students to
purchase course materials prior to
confirmation of sufficient enrollments to
conduct the class. Students will be
encouraged to verify course acceptance by
CCAF (Air Force only) or other program(s),
with the installation education advisor before
enrolling or requesting TA.
(3) Institutions will provide, where
available, electronic access to their main
administrative and academic center’s library
materials, professional services, relevant
periodicals, books, and other academic
reference and research resources in print or
online format that are appropriate or
necessary to support the courses offered.
Additionally, institutions will ensure
adequate print and non-print media
resources to support all courses being offered
are available at base or installation library
facilities, on-site Institution resource areas, or
via electronic transmission.
i. Graduation Achievement Recognition.
(1) The educational institution will issue,
at no cost to the Government, documentation
as proof of completion, such as a diploma or
certificate, to each student who completes
the respective program requirements and
meets all financial obligations.
(2) In accordance with Service
requirements, the institution will provide the
Service concerned with a list of those TA
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recipients who have completed a certificate,
diploma, or degree program. The list will
include the degree level, major, and program
requirements completion date.
(3) The academic credentials for certificate,
diploma, or degree completion should reflect
the degree-granting institution and campus
authorized to confer the degree.
(a) If the Service member attends a branch
of a large, multi-branch university system,
the diploma may indicate the credential of
the specific campus or branch of the
institution from which the student received
his or her degree.
(b) Credentials will be awarded to Service
members with the same institutional
designation as non-Service members who
completed the same course work for a degree
from the same institution.
(4) The institution will provide students
with the opportunity to participate in a
graduation ceremony.
j. Reporting Requirements and
Performance Metrics.
(1) The institution will provide reports via
electronic delivery on all DoD TA recipients
for programs and courses offered to
personnel as required by the cognizant
Service. This includes, but is not limited to,
TA transactions, final course grades to
include incompletes and withdrawals,
degrees awarded, certificates earned,
evaluated educational plans, courses offered,
and military graduation. Institutions
providing face-to-face courses on a military
installation will provide a class roster to the
installation education advisor. The class
roster will include information such as the
name of the instructor, the first and last name
of each student (military and non-military),
the course title, the class meeting day(s), the
start and ending time of the class, and the
class location (e.g., building and room
number).
(a) All reporting and transmitting of this
information will be done in conformity with
all applicable privacy laws, including
FERPA.
(b) Institutions will respond to these
requests in a timely fashion, which will vary
based on the specific nature and scope of the
information requested.
(2) The cognizant Service may evaluate the
institution’s overall effectiveness in
administering its academic program, courses,
and customer satisfaction to DoD. A written
report of the findings will be provided to the
institution. The institution will have 90
calendar days to review the report,
investigate if required, and provide a written
response to the findings.
(3) The Services may request reports from
an institution at any time, but not later than
2 years after termination of the MOU with
such institution. Responses to all requests for
reports will be provided within a reasonable
period of time, and generally within 14
calendar days. Institutional response time
will depend on the specific information
sought by the Services in the report.
5. Requirements and Responsibilities for
the Delivery of On-Installation Voluntary
Education Programs and Services
a. The requirements in this section pertain
to institutions operating on a military
installation.
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An installation MOU:
(1) Is required if an institution is operating
on a military installation.
(2) Contains only the installation-unique
requirements coordinated by the
installation’s education advisor, with
concurrence from the appropriate Service
voluntary education representative, and
approved by the installation commander.
(3) Cannot conflict with the DoD Voluntary
Education Partnership MOU and governing
regulations.
b. Educational institutions will:
(1) Agree to have a separate installation
MOU if they have a Service agreement to
provide on-installation courses or degree
programs.
(2) Comply with the installation-unique
requirements in the installation MOU.
(3) Agree to coordinate degree programs
offered on the installation with the
installation’s education advisor, who will
receive approval from the installation
commander, prior to the opening of classes
for registration.
(4) Admit candidates to the institution’s
on-installation programs at their discretion;
however, priority for registration in
installation classes will be given in the
following order:
(a) Service members.
(b) Federally funded DoD civilian
employees.
(c) Eligible adult family members of
Service members and DoD civilian
employees.
(d) Military retirees.
(e) Non-DoD personnel.
(5) Provide the installation’s education
advisor, as appropriate, a tentative annual
schedule of course offerings to ensure that
the educational needs of the military
population on the installation are met and to
ensure no course or scheduling conflicts with
other on-installation programs.
(6) Provide instructors for their installation
courses who meet the criteria established by
the institution to qualify for employment as
a faculty member on the main administrative
and academic center.
(7) Inform the installation education
advisor about cancellations for classroombased classes on military installations per the
guidelines set forth in the separate
installation MOU.
c. The Services’ designated installation
representative (usually the installation
education advisor), will be responsible for
determining the local voluntary education
program needs for the serviced military
population and for selecting the off-duty
educational programs to be provided on the
installation, in accordance with the Services’
policies. The Service, in conjunction with the
educational institution, will provide support
services essential to operating effective
educational programs. All services provided
will be commensurate with the availability of
resources (personnel, funds, and equipment).
This support includes:
(1) Classroom and office space, as
available. The Service will determine the
adequacy of provided space.
(2) Repairs as required to maintain office
and classroom space in ‘‘good condition’’ as
determined by the Service, and utility
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services for the offices and classrooms of the
institution located on the installation (e.g.,
electricity, water, and heat).
(3) Standard office and classroom
furnishings within available resources. No
specialized equipment will be provided.
(4) Janitorial services in accordance with
installation facility management policies and
contracts.
d. The Service reserves the right to
disapprove installation access to any
employee of the institution employed to
carry out any part of this MOU.
e. Operation of a privately owned vehicle
by institution employees on the installation
will be governed by the installation’s
policies.
f. The installation education advisor will
check with his or her Service’s responsible
office for voluntary education prior to
allowing an educational institution to enter
into an MOU with the installation.
6. Review, Modifications, Signatures,
Effective Date, Expiration Date, and
Cancellation Provision.
a. Review. The signatories (or their
successors) will review this MOU
periodically in coordination with the
Services, but no less than every five years to
consider items such as current accreditation
status, updated program offerings, and
program delivery services.
b. Modifications. Modifications to this
MOU will be in writing and, except for those
required due to a change in State or Federal
law, will be subject to approval by both of
the signatories below, or their successors.
c. Signatures. The authorized signatory for
DoD shall be designated by the USD(P&R).
The authorized signatory for the institution
will be determined by the institution.
d. Effective Date. This MOU is effective on
the date of the later signature.
e. Expiration Date. This MOU will expire
five years from the effective date, unless
terminated or updated prior to that date in
writing by DoD or the Institution.
f. Cancellation Provision. This MOU may
be cancelled by either DoD or the Institution
30 days after receipt of the written notice
from the cancelling party. In addition,
termination and suspension of an MOU with
an institution may be done at any time for
failure to follow a term of this MOU or
misconduct in accordance paragraphs
(a)(18)(i) through (a)(18)(iii) of § 68.6.
For the Department of Defense:
lllllllllllllllllllll
Designated Signatory
lllllllllllllllllllll
Date
For the Institution:
lllllllllllllllllllll
President or Designee
lllllllllllllllllllll
Date
Appendix B to Part 68—Addendum for
Education Services Between [Name of
Educational Institution] and the U.S.
Air Force (USAF)
1. Purpose. This addendum is between
(Name of Educational Institution), hereafter
referred to as the ‘‘Institution,’’ and the
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United States Air Force (USAF). The purpose
of this agreement is to provide guidelines and
procedures for the delivery of educational
services to Service members, DoD civilian
employees, eligible adult family members,
military retirees, and non-DoD personnel not
covered in the DoD Voluntary Education
Partnership Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) between the DoD Office of the Under
Secretary of Defense for Personnel and
Readiness and the Institution. This
addendum is not to be construed in any way
as giving rise to a contractual obligation of
the USAF to provide funds to the Institution
that would be contrary to Federal law.
2. Responsibilities.
a. USAF Education and Training Section
(ETS) Chief. The USAF ETS Chief will:
(1) Maintain a continuing liaison with the
designated Institution representative and be
responsible for inspections and the
acceptance of the Institution’s services. The
ETS Chief will assist the Institution
representative to provide military and USAF
culture orientation to the Institution
personnel.
(2) Review requests from Institutions with
no on-installation MOU for permission of
installation access and space within the ETS
to counsel current students, provide
information briefings and materials, attend
education fairs, and provide other
informational services approved by the
installation commander. Approval depends
on the installation commander. Approval of
any school eligible for Military TA will be
extended equally to all such schools; same
time allotment, space, and frequency.
(3) Assist the Institution or refer them to
the information technology contractor for
training in the use of the Academic
Institution Portal (AI Portal) regarding input
of Institution information, degree offerings,
tuition rates, grades, invoices, degree
completions, and search tools pre-built into
the USAF online Voluntary Education
System.
b. Institutions will:
(1) Appoint and designate an Institution
representative to maintain a continuing
liaison with the USAF ETS Chief.
(2) Provide general degree requirements to
each airman for his or her education program
and the ETS as soon as he or she decides to
register with the Institution and while
awaiting final evaluation of transfer credits.
(3) Assume responsibility for the
administration and proctoring of all course
examinations not normally administered and
proctored within the traditional, in-theclassroom setting.
(4) Provide to airmen, upon their request,
information on Institution policies including,
but not limited to, course withdrawal dates
and penalties, course cancellation
procedures, course grade publication, billing
practices, and policy regarding incompletion
of a course. Face-to-face counseling is not
required.
(5) Register and use the AI Portal to input
Institution basic information, degree
offerings, tuition rates, invoice submission,
course grades submission, degree
completions, and to pull pre-established
educational institution reports while
conducting business with the USAF.
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(6) Submit one consolidated invoice per
term via the AI Portal for each class in which
active duty military airmen are enrolled
using Mil TA. Submission will be made
during the term, no earlier than after the final
add/drop/census date, and no later than 30
calendar days after the end of the term.
(7) Submit course grades via the AI Portal
for each class in which active duty military
airmen are enrolled using Mil TA.
Submission will be made no later than 30
calendar days after the end of the term.
(8) Accept the Government Purchase Card
(GPC) for payment of Mil TA.
(9) Provide a list of program graduates via
the AI Portal consisting of student name,
program title, program type (such as
bachelor’s degree), and date of graduation no
later than 30 calendar days after the end of
the term in which graduation requirements
are completed. If the AI Portal is not
available, provide directly to the base
Education and Training Section.
c. Institutions with no on-installation MOU
are authorized to request permission for
installation access and space within the ETS
to counsel current students, provide
information briefings and materials, attend
education fairs, and other informational
services. Approval depends on the
installation commander. If approval is
granted, then all other permissions will be
authorized equally for any school eligible for
Military TA; the same time allotment, space,
and frequency.
d. All Institutions with an on-installation
MOU or invitation for an on-installation
activity, such as an educational fair, are
authorized to counsel or provide information
on any of their programs.
3. Additional Guidelines
a. In addition to DoD policy outlined in the
DoD MOU, the authorization of Mil TA is
further governed by Air Force Instruction
(AFI) 36–2306, as well as applicable policy
and guidance.
b. Installation access of non-DoD and noninstallation personnel is at the discretion of
the installation commander. Access once
provided can be revoked at any time due to
military necessity or due to conduct that
violates installation rules or policies.
c. No off-base school will be given
permanent space or scheduled for regularly
recurring time on-base for student
counseling.
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Appendix C to Part 68—Addendum for
Education Services Between [Name of
Educational Institution] and the U.S.
Army
1. Purpose. This addendum is between
(Name of Educational Institution), hereafter
referred to as the ‘‘Institution,’’ and the
United States Army. The purpose of this
agreement is to provide guidelines and
procedures for the delivery of educational
services to Service members, DoD civilian
employees, eligible adult family members,
military retirees, and non-DoD personnel not
covered in the DoD Voluntary Education
Partnership Memorandum of Understanding
between the DoD Office of the Under
Secretary of Defense for Personnel and
Readiness and the Institution. This
addendum is not to be construed in any way
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as giving rise to a contractual obligation of
the U.S. Army to provide funds to the
Institution that would be contrary to Federal
law.
2. Responsibilities.
a. Army Education Services Officer (ESO):
In support of this addendum, the Army ESO
will maintain a continuing liaison with a
designated Institution representative and be
responsible for inspections and the
acceptance of the Institution’s services. The
ESO will provide assistance to the Institution
representative to provide military and Army
culture orientation to the Institution
personnel.
b. Institutions. The Institution will:
(1) Appoint and designate an Institution
representative to maintain a continuing
liaison with the Army ESO.
(2) Adopt the GoArmyEd processes.
GoArmyEd is the Army Continuing
Education System (ACES) centralized and
streamlined management system for the
Army’s postsecondary voluntary education
programs. Existing MOUs or Memorandums
of Agreement, Tri-Services contracts, or other
contracts that Institutions may have with
military installations and ACES remain in
place and should be supplemented with DoD
Instruction 1322.25.
(3) Agree to all of the terms in the ACES
policies and procedures, available at https://
www.hrc.army.mil/site/education/
GoArmyEd_School_Instructions.html, such
as: invoicing, grades, reports, library
references, etc. For non-Letter of Instruction
(LOI) institutions satisfying paragraph 3.f. of
this DoD MOU, any requirements in ACES
policies and procedures requiring
institutions to be a member of SOC are
hereby waived.
(4) Institutions currently participating with
GoArmyEd as LOI and non-LOI schools, may
continue to do so at the discretion of
Headquarters, ACES. Non-LOI schools will
be subject to the requirements of paragraphs
2.b.(2) and 2.b.(3) of this DoD MOU only to
the extent that their existing non-LOI
agreement with the U.S. Army provides.
Appendix D to Part 68—Addendum for
Education Services Between [Name of
Educational Institution] and the U.S.
Marine Corps
1. Purpose. This addendum is between
(Name of Educational Institution), hereafter
referred to as the ‘‘Institution,’’ and the U.S.
Marine Corps. The purpose of this agreement
is to provide guidelines and procedures for
the delivery of educational services to
Service members, DoD civilian employees,
eligible adult family members, military
retirees, and non-DoD personnel not covered
in the DoD Voluntary Education Partnership
Memorandum of Understanding between the
DoD Office of the Under Secretary of Defense
for Personnel and Readiness and the
Institution. This addendum is not to be
construed in any way as giving rise to a
contractual obligation of the U.S. Marine
Corps to provide funds to the Institution that
would be contrary to Federal law.
2. Responsibilities.
a. Marine Corps Education Services Officer
(ESO): In support of this addendum, the
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49399
Marine Corps ESO will maintain a
continuing liaison with a designated
Institution representative and be responsible
for inspections and the acceptance of the
Institution’s services. The ESO will provide
assistance to the Institution representative to
provide military and Marine Corps culture
orientation to the Institution personnel.
b. Institution. The Institution will:
(1) Appoint and designate an Institution
representative to maintain a continuing
liaison with the Marine Corps ESO.
(2) Provide open enrollment during a
designated time periods in courses
conducted through media (e.g., portable
media devices or computer-aided). Those
courses will be on an individual enrollment
basis.
(3) When operating on a Marine Corps
installation, provide all required equipment
when the Institution provides instruction via
media.
(4) When operating on a Marine Corps
installation, provide library services to the
Marine Corps base/installation for students
in the form of research and reference
materials (e.g., books, pamphlets, magazines)
of similar quality to the support provided
students on the institution’s home campus.
Services will also include research and
reference material in sufficient quantity to
meet curriculum and program demands.
Materials will be, at a minimum, the required
readings of the instructor(s) for a particular
course or program, or the ability for the
student to request a copy of such material,
from the institution’s main library, without
any inconvenience or charge to the student
(e.g., a library computer terminal that may
allow students to order material and have it
mailed to their residence).
(5) Route publicity generated for an
installation community through the base
ESO.
(6) Permit employment of off-duty military
personnel or Government civilian employees
by the institution, provided such
employment does not conflict with the
policies set forth in DoD Regulation 5500.7–
R. However, Government personnel
employed in any way in the administration
of this addendum will be excluded from such
employment because of conflict of interest.
3. Billing Procedures, and Formal Grades.
a. Comply with wide area work flow
process for invoicing tuition assistance.
b. Grades will be submitted through the
Navy College Management Information
System grade entry application.
c. Grade reports will be provided to the
Naval Education and Training Professional
Development and Technology Center within
30 days of term ending or completion of the
course, whichever is earlier.
Appendix E to Part 68—Addendum for
Education Services Between [Name of
Educational Institution] and the U.S.
Navy
1. Purpose. This addendum is between
(Name of Educational Institution), hereafter
referred to as the ‘‘Institution,’’ and the U.S.
Navy. The purpose of this agreement is to
provide guidelines and procedures for the
delivery of educational services to Service
members, DoD civilian employees, eligible
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adult family members, military retirees, and
non-DoD personnel not covered in the DoD
Voluntary Education Partnership
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
between the DoD Office of the Under
Secretary of Defense for Personnel and
Readiness and the Institution. This
addendum is not to be construed in any way
as giving rise to a contractual obligation of
the Department of the Navy to provide funds
to the academic Institution that would be
contrary to Federal law.
2. Responsibilities.
a. Commanding Officer responsible for
execution of the Voluntary Education
Program. The commanding officer
responsible for execution of the voluntary
education program will:
(1) Determine the local voluntary
education program needs for the Navy
population to be served and recommend to
the installation commander the educational
programs to be offered on the base;
(2) Administer this agreement and provide
program management support;
(3) Manage the Navy College Program
Distance Learning Partnership (NCPDLP)
agreements.
b. Navy College Office (NCO): In support of
this addendum, the NCO will maintain a
continuing liaison with the designated
Institution representative and be responsible
for inspections and the acceptance of the
Institution’s services. The NCO will provide
assistance to the Institution representative to
provide military and Navy culture
orientation to the Institution personnel.
c. Institution. The Institution will:
(1) If a distance learning partner
institution:
(i) Comply with NCPDLP agreements, if an
institution participates in NCPDLP.
(ii) Provide a link to the academic
institution through the Navy College Program
Web site, only if designated as an NCPDLP
school.
(iii) Display the academic Institution’s
advertising materials (i.e., pamphlets,
posters, and brochures) at all NCOs, only if
designated as an NCPDLP school.
(2) Appoint and designate an Institution
representative to maintain a continuing
liaison with the NCO staff.
(3) Comply with wide area work flow
processes for invoicing of tuition assistance.
Grades will be submitted to the Navy College
Management Information System grade entry
application.
(4) Ensure library resource arrangements
are in accordance with the standards of the
Institution’s accrediting association and the
State regulatory agency having jurisdiction
over the academic Institution.
(5) Respond to email messages from
students within a reasonable period of time—
generally within two workdays, unless
extenuating circumstances would justify
additional time.
(6) Comply with host command procedures
before starting instructor-based courses on
any Navy installation. The NCO will
negotiate a separate agreement with the
academic Institution in concert with the host
command procedures.
(7) Mail an official transcript indicating
degree completion, at no cost to the sailor or
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the Government to: Center for Personal and
Professional Development, Attn: Virtual
Education Center, 1905 Regulus Ave., Suite
234, Virginia Beach, VA 23461–2009.
Dated: August 9, 2013.
Aaron Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2013–19747 Filed 8–13–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R08–OAR–2013–0474; FRL–9846–9 ]
Approval and Promulgation of Air
Quality Implementation Plans; Utah;
Revisions to Utah Administrative Code
and an Associated Plan Revision
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
EPA is proposing to partially
approve and partially disapprove State
Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions
submitted by the State of Utah on
September 20, 1999. The September 20,
1999 submittal revised the numbering
and format of the Utah Administrative
Code (UAC) rules within Utah’s SIP. In
this action, EPA is acting on those rules
from the September 20, 1999 submittal
that still require EPA action.
Specifically, EPA is proposing to
approve R307–110–16, ‘‘Section IX,
Control Measures for Area and Point
Sources, Part G, Fluoride,’’ and to
disapprove R307–110–29, ‘‘Section XXI,
Diesel Inspection and Maintenance
Program.’’ In conjunction with our
proposed disapproval of R307–110–29,
we are also proposing to disapprove the
Utah Diesel Inspection and Maintenance
Program, which Utah submitted as a
revision to the SIP on February 6, 1996,
and which was incorporated by
reference in R307–110–29 as part of the
September 20, 1999 submittal. This
action is being taken under section 110
of the CAA.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before September 13, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R08–
OAR–2013–0474, by one of the
following methods:
• www.regulations.gov. Follow the
on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
• Email: ostendorf.jody@epa.gov.
• Fax: (303) 312–6064 (please alert
the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT if you are faxing
comments).
SUMMARY:
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• Mail: Carl Daly, Director, Air
Program, Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), Region 8, Mailcode
8P–AR, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver,
Colorado 80202–1129.
• Hand Delivery: Carl Daly, Director,
Air Program, Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), Region 8, Mailcode
8P–AR, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver,
Colorado 80202–1129. Such deliveries
are only accepted Monday through
Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding
federal holidays. Special arrangements
should be made for deliveries of boxed
information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to
Docket ID No. EPA–R08–OAR–2013–
0474. EPA’s policy is that all comments
received will be included in the public
docket without change and may be
made available online at
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided, unless
the comment includes information
claimed to be Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Do not submit information that you
consider to be CBI or otherwise
protected through www.regulations.gov
or email. The www.regulations.gov Web
site is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system,
which means EPA will not know your
identity or contact information unless
you provide it in the body of your
comment. If you send an email
comment directly to EPA, without going
through www.regulations.gov, your
email address will be automatically
captured and included as part of the
comment that is placed in the public
docket and made available on the
Internet. If you submit an electronic
comment, EPA recommends that you
include your name and other contact
information in the body of your
comment and with any disk or CD–ROM
you submit. If EPA cannot read your
comment due to technical difficulties
and cannot contact you for clarification,
EPA may not be able to consider your
comment. Electronic files should avoid
the use of special characters, any form
of encryption, and be free of any defects
or viruses. For additional information
about EPA’s public docket visit the EPA
Docket Center homepage at https://
www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
For additional instructions on
submitting comments, go to section I.
General Information of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of
this document.
Docket: All documents in the docket
are listed in the www.regulations.gov
index. Although listed in the index,
some information is not publicly
available, e.g., CBI or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
E:\FR\FM\14AUP1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 157 (Wednesday, August 14, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 49382-49400]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-19747]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
32 CFR Part 68
[Docket No. DOD-2013-OS-0093]
RIN 0790-AJ06
Voluntary Education Programs
AGENCY: Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and
Readiness, DoD.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In this proposed rule, the Department of Defense (DoD)
discusses new policy, responsibilities, and procedures for the
operation of voluntary education programs within DoD. The new policies
discussed in the rule include the following.
All educational institutions providing education programs through
the DoD Tuition Assistance (TA) Program will provide meaningful
information to students about the financial cost and attendance at an
institution so military students can make informed decisions on where
to attend school; not use unfair, deceptive, and abusive recruiting
practices; and provide academic and student support services to Service
members and their families. New criteria are created to strengthen
existing procedures for access to military installations by educational
institutions. An annual review and notification process is required if
there are changes made to the uniform semester-hour (or equivalent) TA
caps and annual TA ceilings. Military Departments will be required to
provide their Service members with a joint services transcript (JST).
The DoD Postsecondary Education Complaint System is implemented for
Service members, spouses, and adult family members to register student
complaints. The Military Departments are authorized to establish
Service-specific TA eligibility criteria and management controls.
DATES: Comments must be received by September 30, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information concerning DoD
Voluntary Education Programs, send a written inquiry to Ms. Carolyn
Baker, at the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel &
Readiness), Military Community & Family Policy, State Liaison and
Educational Opportunities, 4800 Mark Center Drive, Suite 14E08,
Alexandria, Virginia 22350-2300 (Phone: 571-372-5355 or email:
carolyn.baker@osd.mil).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Executive Summary
This proposed rule implements Voluntary Education Programs for
Military Service members. This rule includes educational programs that
enable Service members to earn a degree on their off-duty time.
Congress has held that men and women serving in the Armed Forces should
have at least the same opportunity to advance academically as do
civilians who remain outside the military.
Funding for Voluntary Education Programs is authorized by law and
is subject to the availability of funds from each Service. Voluntary
education programs include tuition assistance (TA) (per 10 U.S.C.
2007), which is administered uniformly across the Services. Subject to
appropriations, each Service pays no more than $250.00 per semester-
unit (or equivalent) for tuition. Each Service member participating in
off-duty, voluntary education is eligible for up to $4,500.00, in
aggregate, for each fiscal year. TA can only be used for courses
offered by postsecondary institutions accredited by a national or
regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of
Education.
A March 2011 Government Accountability Office report on the DoD TA
program recommended the Department take steps to enhance its oversight
of schools receiving TA funds (available at https://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11300.pdf). As a result, a DoD Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) requirement was included in this rule, which is designated not
only to improve Departmental oversight but also to account for our
Service members' unique lifestyle requirements. The purpose of the DoD
MOU is to establish a partnership between the Department and
institutions to improve educational opportunities while protecting the
integrity of each institution's core educational values. This
partnership serves to ensure a quality, viable program exists that
provides for our Service members to realize their educational goals,
while allowing for judicious oversight of taxpayer dollars.
Background
The purpose of voluntary education programs is to provide active
duty Service members with opportunities to enhance their academic
achievement which in turn improves job performance and promotion
potential. A final rule for DoD's Voluntary Education Programs was
published in the Federal Register on December 6, 2012 (77 FR 72941-
72956). The rule established the new requirement for a standardized
memorandum of understanding (MOU) between DoD and the Institutions of
Higher Learning (IHLs) prior to participating in DoD Voluntary
Education Programs, such as the military tuition assistance program. As
of June 25, 2013, 3,155 IHLs with a total of 4,180 sub-campuses have
signed the DoD MOU.
This new proposed rule includes requirements stated in the
President's Executive Order 13607, ``Establishing Principles of
Excellence for Educational Institutions Servicing Service Members,
Veterans, Spouses, and Other Family Members'', signed April 27, 2012
(available at https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-05-02/pdf/2012-10715.pdf). In implementing the EO, three interagency working groups
were established (information, compliance, and report), along with an
aggressive timeline to ensure that the policies take effect as soon as
possible. The E.O. directed DoD to coordinate with the Departments of
Veterans Affairs and Education, and in consultation with the Department
of Justice and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, to implement
and promote compliance with the principles stated in the E.O. Several
of these principles were covered
[[Page 49383]]
in the previous 2012 final rule; the remaining principles are now
included in this proposed rule. The President requested the principles
be implemented for school year 2013-2014.
New requirements covered in the proposed rule include:
(1) Require all educational institutions providing education
programs through the DoD Tuition Assistance (TA) Program:
(a) Will provide meaningful information to students about the
financial cost and attendance at an institution so military students
can make informed decisions on where to attend school.
(b) Will not use unfair, deceptive, and abusive recruiting
practices.
(c) Will provide academic and student support services to Service
members and their families.
(2) Implement rules to strengthen existing procedures for access to
military installations by educational institutions.
(3) Require DoD to conduct an annual review and notification
process is required if there are changes made to the uniform semester-
hour (or equivalent) TA caps and annual TA ceilings.
(4) Require the Military Departments to provide their Service
members with a joint services transcript (JST).
(5) Implement the DoD Postsecondary Education Complaint System for
Service members, spouses, and adult family members to register student
complaints.
(6) Authorize the Military Departments to establish Service-
specific TA eligibility criteria and management controls.
Regulatory Procedures
Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review'' and Executive
Order 13563, ``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review''
It has been certified that 32 CFR part 68 is an economically
significant regulatory action. The rule has an annual effect on the
economy of $100 million or more.
The rule does not:
(1) Adversely affect in a material way the economy; a section of
the economy; productivity; competition; jobs; the environment; public
health or safety; or State, local, or tribal governments or
communities;
(2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an
action taken or planned by another Agency;
(3) Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants,
user fees, or loan programs, or the rights and obligations of
recipients thereof; or
(4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal
mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in
these Executive Orders.
Funding for Voluntary Education Programs is authorized by law and
is subject to the availability of funds from each Service. Voluntary
education programs include tuition assistance (per section 2007 of
title 10, United States Code), which is administered uniformly across
the Services. Each Service pays no more than $250.00 per semester-unit
(or equivalent) for tuition. Each Service member participating in off-
duty, voluntary education is authorized up to $4,500.00, in aggregate,
for each fiscal year. As per the National Defense Authorization Act
(NDAA) FY08, each of the Services may also provide TA to activated
Service members of the Selected Reserves and Individual Ready Reserve.
Tuition assistance costs for Service members participating in high
school completion and accredited undergraduate or graduate education
programs totaled approximately $562 million in FY11 and approximately
$568 million in FY12. During FY11, 325,324 Service members received TA
for 866,788 courses. During FY12, 286,665 Service members received TA
for 874,094 courses. A total of 45,220 degrees/diplomas/certificates
were earned in FY11 and 50,497 in FY12. Operational costs totaled
approximately $102 million in FY11 and $92 million in FY12. Operational
costs for DoD Voluntary Education Programs include such items as
salaries, TDY, training, supplies, and equipment.
Funding for the new E.O. 13607 requirement to establish a DoD
complaint system for students receiving Federal military educational
benefits, such as military tuition assistance, included approximately
$13,500 for the estimated labor cost to DoD and approximately $400,000
to build the system.
Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801
We estimate that this rulemaking is ``economically significant'' as
measured by the $100 million threshold and, hence, also a major rule
under the Congressional Review Act. Accordingly, we have prepared a
regulatory impact analysis that, to the best of our ability, presents
the costs and benefits of the rulemaking.
Section 202, Public Law 104-4, ``Unfunded Mandates Reform Act''
It has been certified that 32 CFR part 68 does not contain a
Federal mandate that may result in expenditure by State, local and
tribal governments, in aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100
million or more in any one year.
Public Law 96-354, ``Regulatory Flexibility Act'' (5 U.S.C. 601)
It has been certified that 32 CFR part 68 is not subject to the
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601) because it would not, if
promulgated, have a significant economic impact on a substantial number
of small entities. The rule updates policy and procedures for the
voluntary education programs within DoD for Service members and their
adult eligible family members. Guidance on voluntary education programs
is available through the Education Centers located on military
installations.
Public Law 96-511, ``Paperwork Reduction Act''
It has been certified that 32 CFR part 68 does impose reporting or
recordkeeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
The requirements for the new student complaint system were submitted to
the Office of Management and Budget and approved under OMB Control
Number 0704-0501, ``Postsecondary Education Complaint Intake System.''
While DoD believes that the collection instrument and burden numbers
will not change, DoD welcomes additional comments on this collection of
information.
Section 68.1(c)(5) of this proposed rule contains information
collection requirements. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the
proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of DoD, including whether the information
will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the estimate of the
burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on
respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Title: Postsecondary Education Complaint Intake System.
Type of Request: New.
Number of Respondents: 100.
Responses per Respondent: 1.
Annual Responses: 100.
Average Burden per Response: 10 minutes.
Annual Burden Hours: 17 hours.
Needs and Uses: The information collection requirement is necessary
to obtain, document, and respond to complaints, questions, and other
information concerning postsecondary education and services provided to
military students, veterans, and their
[[Page 49384]]
adult family members. The President's Executive Order 13607, signed on
April 27, 2012, calls for the creation of a robust, centralized
complaint process for students receiving Federal military and veterans'
educational benefits. The web based intake documents information
electronically such as the level of study of the student, school the
student is attending, type of education benefits being used, branch of
the military service, substance of the complaint or issue, and
preferred contact information for the person making the complaint.
Affected Public: Individuals and households.
Frequency: On occasion.
Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
OMB Desk Officer: Written comments and recommendations on the
proposed information collection should be sent to Ms. Jasmeet Seehra at
the Office of Management and Budget, DoD Desk Officer, Room 10102, New
Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503, with a copy to Ms.
Carolyn Baker, at the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense
(Personnel & Readiness), Military Community & Family Policy, State
Liaison and Educational Opportunities, 4800 Mark Center Drive, Suite
14E08, Alexandria, Virginia 22350-2300. Comments to OMB will be most
useful if received by OMB within 30 days after the date of this notice.
You may also submit comments, identified by docket number and
title, by the following method:
* Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency
name, docket number and title for this Federal Register document. The
general policy for comments and other submissions from members of the
public is to make these submissions available for public viewing on the
Internet at https://www.regulations.gov as they are received without
change, including any personal identifiers or contact information.
To request more information on this proposed information collection
or to obtain a copy of the proposal and associated collection
instruments, please write to Ms. Carolyn Baker, at the Office of the
Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel & Readiness), Military Community
& Family Policy, State Liaison and Educational Opportunities, 4800 Mark
Center Drive, Suite 14E08, Alexandria, Virginia 22350-2300, or call Ms.
Baker at 571-372-5355.
Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism''
It has been certified that 32 CFR part 68 does not have federalism
implications, as set forth in Executive Order 13132. This rule does not
have substantial direct effects on:
(1) The States;
(2) The relationship between the National Government and the
States; or
(3) The distribution of power and responsibilities among the
various levels of Government.
List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 68
Adult education, Armed forces, Colleges and universities,
Education, Educational study programs, Government contracts, Military
personnel, Student aid.
Accordingly, 32 CFR part 68 is proposed to be revised to read as
follows:
PART 68--VOLUNTARY EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Sec.
68.1 Purpose.
68.2 Applicability.
68.3 Definitions.
68.4 Policy.
68.5 Responsibilities.
68.6 Procedures.
Appendix A to Part 68--DoD Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) Between DoD Office of the Under Secretary of
Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)) and [Name of Educational
Institution]
Appendix B to Part 68--Addendum for Education Services Between [Name of
Educational Institution] and the U.S. Air Force (USAF)
Appendix C to Part 68--Addendum for Education Services Between [Name of
Educational Institution] AND THE U.S. Army
Appendix D to Part 68--Addendum for Education Services Between [Name of
Educational Institution] and the U.S. Marine Corps
Appendix E to Part 68--Addendum for Education Services Between [Name of
Educational Institution] and the U.S. Navy
Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2005, 2007.
Sec. 68.1 Purpose.
This part:
(a) Implements policy, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes
procedures for the operation of voluntary education programs in the
DoD.
(b) Establishes policy stating the eligibility criteria for tuition
assistance (TA) and the requirement for a memorandum of understanding
(MOU) from all educational institutions providing educational programs
through the DoD TA Program.
(c) Establishes new policy that:
(1) All educational institutions providing education programs
through the DoD Tuition Assistance (TA) Program:
(i) Will provide meaningful information to students about the
financial cost and attendance at an institution so military students
can make informed decisions on where to attend school.
(ii) Will not use unfair, deceptive, and abusive recruiting
practices.
(iii) Will provide academic and student support services to Service
members and their families.
(2) Creates rules to strengthen existing procedures for access to
military installations by educational institutions.
(3) Requires an annual review and notification process of uniform
semester-hour (or equivalent) TA caps and annual TA ceilings.
(4) Requires the Military Departments to provide their Service
members with a joint services transcript (JST).
(5) Implements the DoD Postsecondary Education Complaint System for
Service members, spouses, and adult family members to register student
complaints.
(6) Authorizes the Military Departments to establish Service-
specific TA eligibility criteria and management controls.
(d) Establishes the Interservice Voluntary Education Board.
Sec. 68.2 Applicability.
This part applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the
Military Departments, the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the
Inspector General of the DoD, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field
Activities, and all other organizational entities within the DoD
(referred to collectively in this part as the ``DoD Components'').
Sec. 68.3 Definitions.
The following terms and their definitions are for the purpose of
this part:
Academic. Relating to education, educational studies, an
educational institution, or the educational system.
Academic institution. A college, university, or other postsecondary
educational institution of higher education.
Academic institution representative. An employee of the academic
institution.
[[Page 49385]]
Academic skills. Competencies in English, reading, writing,
speaking, mathematics, and computer skills that are essential to
successful job performance and new learning. Also referred to as
functional or basic skills.
Active Guard and Reserve (AGR). National Guard or Reserve members
of the Selected Reserve (SELRES) who are ordered to active duty or
full-time National Guard duty for a period of 180 consecutive days or
more for the purpose of organizing, administering, recruiting,
instructing, or training the Reserve Component units or duties as
prescribed in 10 U.S.C. 12310. All AGR members must be assigned against
an authorized mobilization position in the unit they support. (Includes
Navy full-time support (FTS), Marine Corps Active Reserve (ARs), and
Coast Guard Reserve Personnel Administrators (RPAs)).
American Council on Education. The major coordinating body for all
of the Nation's higher education institutions. Seeks to provide
leadership and a unifying voice on key higher education issues and
publishes the ``Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in
the Armed Services.''
Annual TA Ceiling. The maximum dollar amount authorized for each
Service member for TA per fiscal year. Each Service member
participating in off-duty voluntary education programs will be entitled
to the full amount authorized each fiscal year in accordance with DoD
policy.
Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System. An
automated official document generated by the Army/ACE Registry
Transcript System which can be sent directly from the Army American
Council on Education Registry Transcript System Center to the
educational institution to articulate a soldier's military experience
and training and the American Council on Education-recommended college
credit for this training and experience. The Army/ACE Registry
Transcript System is incorporated in the joint services transcript.
Degree requirements. A planning document provided by the
educational institution that outlines general required courses to
complete an educational program. The planning document presents the
general education and major-related course requirements, degree
competencies (e.g., foreign language, computer literacy), and elective
course options that students may choose for specified program of study.
Education advisor. A professionally qualified, subject matter
expert or program manager in the Education Services Series 1740 at the
installation education center. The following position titles may also
be used for an education advisor: Education Services Specialist,
Education Services Officer (ESO), Voluntary Education Director, Navy
College Office Director, and Education and Training Section (ETS)
Chief.
Education center. A military installation facility, including
office space, classrooms, laboratories, and other features, that is
staffed with professionally qualified personnel and to conduct
voluntary education programs. For Navy, this is termed the ``Navy
College Office.''
Educational plan. A planning document provided by the educational
institution that outlines general degree requirements for graduation.
Typically an educational plan presents the general education and major-
related course requirements, degree competencies (e.g., foreign
language, computer literacy), and elective course options that students
may choose for a specified program of study. This document is required
from the institution prior to the enrollment of the Service member at
the institution.
Eligible adult family member. The adult family member, over the age
of 18, of an active duty, Reserve, National Guardsman, or DoD civilian
with a valid DoD identification card.
Evaluated educational plan. An official academic document provided
by the educational institution that:
(1) Articulates all degree requirements required for degree
completion or in the case of a non-degree program, all educational
requirements for completion of the program;
(2) Identifies all courses required for graduation in the
individual's intended academic discipline and level of postsecondary
study; and
(3) Includes an evaluation of all successfully completed prior
coursework, and evaluated credit for military training and experience,
and other credit sources applied to the institutional degree
requirements. At a minimum, the evaluated education plan will identify
required courses, College Level Examination Program, and DSST (formally
known as the DANTES Subject Standardized Tests) Program, and potential
American Council on Education recommended college credits for training
and experiences, which are applicable to courses study leading to a
degree. Education advisors will assist Service members in developing
their education plan for final approval by the educational institution.
For participating SOC Degree Network System institutions, SOC Army
Degrees, SOC Navy Degrees, SOC Marine Corps Degrees, or SOC Coast Guard
Degrees Student Agreement serves as this documented educational plan.
Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). A manpower pool consisting
principally of individuals who have had training, have previously
served in the Active Component or in the SELRES, and have some period
of their military service obligation or other contractual obligation
remaining. Some individuals volunteer to remain in the IRR beyond their
military service or contractual obligation and participate in programs
providing a variety of professional assignments and opportunities for
earning retirement points and military benefits.
Joint services transcript. An official education transcript tool
for documenting the recommended ACE college credits for a variety of
professional military education, training courses, and occupational
experience of Service members across the Services. The joint services
transcript incorporates data from documents such as the Army/ACE
Registry Transcript System, the Sailor/Marine ACE Registry Transcript
System, the Community College of the Air Force transcript, and the
Coast Guard Institute transcript.
Needs assessment. A process used to determine the staffing
requirements, course offerings, size of facilities, funding, or other
standards for delivery of educational programs.
Off-duty. Time when the Service member is not scheduled to perform
official duties.
Ready Reserve. Composed of military members of the Reserve and
National Guard, organized in units or as individuals, or both, and
liable for involuntary order to active duty in time of war or national
emergency pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 12310 and 12301 and 14 U.S.C. 712 in
the case of members of the Coast Guard Reserve. The Ready Reserve
consists of the SELRES, the IRR, and the Inactive National Guard.
Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript
System. An automated official document generated by the Sailor/Marine
American Council on Education Registry Transcript System, which can be
sent directly from the Sailor/Marine ACE Registry Transcript System
Operations Center to the educational institution to articulate a
Sailor's or Marine's military experience and training and the American
Council on Education recommended college credit for this training and
experience. The Sailor/Marine ACE Registry Transcript
[[Page 49386]]
System is incorporated in the joint services transcript.
Semester-hour TA cap. The maximum dollar amount authorized for TA
per semester-hour (or equivalent) credit. A Service will pay no more
than the established DoD cap per semester-unit (or equivalent) for
tuition.
SOC or Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges. A consortium of over
1,800 colleges and universities, created in 1972 that seeks to enhance
the educational opportunities to Service members who may have
difficulty in completing college programs due to frequent military
moves.
TA or tuition assistance. Funds provided by the Military Services
or U.S. Coast Guard to pay a percentage of the charges of an
educational institution for the tuition of an active duty, Reserve or
National Guard member of the Military Services, or Coast Guard member,
enrolled in approved courses of study during off-duty time.
Third Party Education Assessment. A third-party evaluation of
voluntary education programs covered by the DoD Voluntary Education
Partnership MOU.
Top-Up. An option, under chapter 30 of the Montgomery G.I. Bill and
Post- 9/11 G.I. Bill, that enables active duty Service members to
receive from the VA those tuition costs that exceed or are not
authorized in the amount of TA provided to the Service member by his or
her Service. The G.I. Bill entitlement is charged differently depending
on which G.I. Bill program a Service member uses. The Montgomery G.I.
Bill entitlement is charged based on the dollar amount of benefits VA
pays to the individual. The Service member will be charged one month of
entitlement for each payment received that is equal to the full-time
monthly rate for the G.I. Bill. The Post-9/11 entitlement is charged
based on the enrolled amount of time. If a Service member is attending
classes part-time or at the \1/2\ time level, the charge is \1/2\ month
of Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits for each month enrolled and receiving
G.I. benefits.
Troops-to-Teachers program (TTT). A Department of Education program
administered by the DoD to help recruit quality teachers for schools
that serve low-income families throughout America. TTT helps relieve
teacher shortages, especially in math, science, special education, and
other high-needs subject areas, and assists military personnel in
making successful transitions to second careers in teaching.
Voluntary education programs. Continuing, adult, or postsecondary
education programs of study that Service members elect to participate
in during their off-duty time, and that are available to other members
of the military community.
Sec. 68.4 Policy.
It is DoD policy, consistent with DoD Directive 1322.08E,
``Voluntary Education Programs for Military Personnel'' (available at
https://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/132208p.pdf), that:
(a) Members of the Military Services serving on active duty and
members of the Selected Reserve (SELRES) will be afforded the
opportunity to complete their high school education through a state-
funded or Service component sponsored program; earn an equivalency
diploma, improve their academic skills or level of literacy, enroll in
career and technical education schools, receive college credit for
military training and experience in accordance with the American
Council on Education (ACE) Guide to the Evaluation of Educational
Experiences in the Armed Services (available at https://www.acenet.edu/news-room/Pages/Military-Guide-Online.aspx), take tests to earn college
credit, and enroll in postsecondary education programs that lead to
industry-recognized credentials, and undergraduate and graduate
degrees.
(b) On an annual basis, the Under Secretary of Defense for
Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)), in coordination with the Military
Departments no later than the end of second quarter of the current
fiscal year, will review the uniform semester-hour (or equivalent) TA
caps and annual TA ceilings to determine possible changes for the
upcoming year. If there are any changes in the uniform semester-hour
(or equivalent) caps and annual TA ceilings, a memorandum will be
released from the USD(P&R), in coordination with the Military
Departments, and a corresponding notice will be published in the
Federal Register. Service members' costs to participate in the DoD
Voluntary Education Program as authorized by 10 U.S.C. 2007, will be
reduced through financial support, including TA that is administered
uniformly across the Military Services.
(c) Information and professional adult academic education
counseling about voluntary education programs will be readily available
and easy to access so that Service members can make informed decisions
concerning educational opportunities available. Education counseling
will be provided by qualified professional (Education Services Series
1740 or individual with equivalent qualifications) individuals in
sufficient numbers to operate voluntary education programs as
determined by individual Service standards.
(d) In accordance with Executive Order (E.O.) 13607,
(1) Educational institutions receiving funding from Federal
military educational benefits programs, such as the DoD TA Program,
will:
(i) Provide meaningful information to students on the financial
cost and attendance at an educational institution so military students
can make informed decisions on where to attend school.
(ii) Prevent unfair, deceptive, and abusive recruiting practices
that target Service members.
(iii) Provide academic and student support services specific to the
institutions' programs to all Service members, spouses and adult family
members.
(2) DoD will implement a complaint system for Service members,
spouses, and adult family members that will register, track, and
respond to student complaints on-line. Educational institutions that
have an MOU with DoD with reoccurring complaints or an unwillingness to
resolve complaints will be removed from the DoD MOU Participating
Institutions list and will not be authorized to participate in the DoD
TA Program.
(e) Institutions accredited by a national or regional accrediting
agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) will be
encouraged to provide degree programs on military installations and the
Military Services will facilitate their operations on the installations
referred to in paragraph (c) of Sec. 68.6.
(f) To the extent that space is otherwise available, eligible adult
family members of Service members, DoD civilian employees and their
eligible adult family members, and military retirees may enroll in
postsecondary education programs offered on a military installation at
no cost to the individual Service TA programs.
Sec. 68.5 Responsibilities.
(a) The USD(P&R):
(1) Monitors implementation of and ensures compliance with this
part and DoD Directive 1322.08E.
(2) Establishes rates of tuition assistance (TA) and ensures
uniformity across the Military Services as required by DoD Directive
1322.08E and this part. The uniform semester-hour (or equivalent) TA
caps and annual TA ceilings will be reviewed annually and if changed, a
memorandum from the USD(P&R) will be released following coordination
with each of the Military Departments. Additionally, if the
[[Page 49387]]
uniform TA rates are changed, a notice will be published in the Federal
Register at approximately the start of the fiscal year.
(3) Establishes, under the provisions of DoD Instruction 5105.18,
``DoD Intergovernmental and Intragovernmental Committee Management
Program'' (available at https://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/510518p.pdf), the Interservice Voluntary Education Board, which will be
composed of full-time or permanent part-time federal employees.
(4) Maintains a program to assess the effectiveness of the
voluntary education programs.
(5) Issues written supplemental guidance annually for the funding
and operation of the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education
Support (DANTES) for those items not reflected in paragraph (f) of
Sec. 68.6.
(b) The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness and Force
Management (ASD(R&FM)), under the authority, direction, and control of
the USD(P&R) will:
(1) Provide administrative assistance to the Deputy Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy
(DASD(MCFP)), in support of the voluntary education programs.
(2) Respond to matters that are referred by the DASD(MCFP).
(c) The DASD(MCFP), under the authority, direction, and control of
the ASD(R&FM), will:
(1) Monitor compliance with this part and DoD Directive 1322.08E
and related issuances by personnel under his or her authority,
direction, and control.
(2) Oversee the DoD Voluntary Education Program.
(3) Provide ongoing and routine clarifying guidance for the DoD
Voluntary Education Program.
(4) Provide representatives to professional education and cross-
agency panels addressing issues impacting the DoD Voluntary Education
Program, its regulatory scope, clientele, and partners.
(5) Designate the Voluntary Education Chief within the Office of
the DASD(MCFP) as the Chair of the Interservice Voluntary Education
Board and oversee implementation of Board and DANTES procedures as
detailed in Sec. 68.6 of this part.
(6) Oversee the DoD Postsecondary Education Complaint System
through which Service members, spouses, and adult family members
receiving Federal military and veterans educational benefits can
register on-line complaints that will be tracked and responded to by
the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Justice, and Education,
the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, and other relevant agencies.
The DoD Postsecondary Education Complaint System is Web-based and
accessible on-line at https://afaems.langley.af.mil/vemis/DoD.Postsecondary.ED.Complaint.System. This complaint system contains
the uniform procedures for the processing of the complaint intake form
(DD Form 2961, DoD Postsecondary Education Complaint Intake).
(7) Oversee the Third-Party Education Assessment, which is a third
party review process to assess the quality, delivery, and coordination
of the voluntary education programs provided to military personnel on
the installation, in the community, and via distance learning (DL). It
assists in improving the quality of the delivery of these programs
through recommendation to institutions, installations, and the Military
Services.
(i) DASD(MCFP) will monitor actions by the Military Services to
resolve recommendations for improvement identified on the respective
Military Service's installation during the Third Party Education
Assessment.
(ii) DASD(MCFP) will monitor actions provided to the DoD Voluntary
Education Chief by institutions operating off the military installation
or via DL to resolve recommendations for improvement identified during
Third Party Education Assessments. These institutions will provide
corrective actions taken within 6 months of the assessment to the DoD
Voluntary Education Chief. In instances when the issue cannot be
resolved within the 6 month timeframe, the institution will submit a
status report every 3 months to the DoD Voluntary Education Chief until
the recommendation is resolved.
(8) Prepare written supplemental guidance annually for USD(P&R)
regarding the funding and operation of DANTES for those items not
reflected in paragraph (f) of Sec. 68.6.
(9) Oversee the policy of the joint services transcript (JST).
(d) The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs
(ASD(RA)), under the authority, direction, and control of the USD(P&R),
will:
(1) Monitor compliance with this part and DoD Directive 1322.08E
and related issuances by personnel under his or her authority,
direction, and control.
(2) Appoint a representative to serve on the Interservice Voluntary
Education Board.
(3) Arrange the assignment of, on a rotating basis, a field grade
officer, to serve as the Reserve Component Advisor to the Voluntary
Education Chief and a representative on the Interservice Voluntary
Education Board.
(e) The Secretaries of the Military Departments will:
(1) Monitor compliance with this part and DoD Directive 1322.08E
and related issuances by personnel under their respective authority,
direction, and control.
(2) Establish, maintain, coordinate, and operate voluntary
education programs that encompass a broad range of educational
experiences including, but not limited to, academic skills development,
high school completion programs, vocational programs, career and
technical programs, and programs leading to the award of undergraduate
and graduate degrees.
(3) Require that sufficient funding is available to provide Service
members with TA support consistent with the requirements in Sec. 68.6
and appendices A, B, C, D, and E to this part.
(4) Require that educational counseling is available to Service
members so they will have sufficient information and guidance to plan
an appropriate program of study. Educational counseling will be
provided by qualified professional (Education Services Series 1740 or
individual with equivalent qualifications) individuals.
(5) Require that voluntary education programs participate in the
DoD established third-party review process entitled the Third Party
Education Assessment.
(i) Within 6 months following the Third Party Education Assessment
on their installation, the responsible Military Service will resolve
recommendations received as a result of the assessment and provide the
resolutions to the DoD Voluntary Education Chief. In instances when the
issue cannot be resolved within the 6 month timeframe, the Military
Service will submit a status report every 3 months to the DoD Voluntary
Education Chief until the recommendation is resolved.
(ii) If the recommendation(s) requires involvement of an
institution operating on their respective installation, the Military
Service will coordinate the submission of corrective actions taken by
institution(s) through the appropriate Education Advisor, and forward
through their respective Military Service leadership to the DoD
Voluntary Education Chief.
(iii) Waivers to the Third Party Education Assessment must be
submitted to and approved by the DoD Voluntary Education Chief.
(6) Provide one representative to serve on the Interservice
Voluntary Education Board responsible for their Services' voluntary
education policy from each of the following Military Services: Army,
[[Page 49388]]
Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Each Service representative's
membership will be on a permanent basis and changed only when their
voluntary education policy position is changed.
(7) Assign, on a rotating basis, a senior enlisted Service member
in the military pay grade E-9 to serve as the DANTES enlisted advisor.
(8) Assign, on a rotating basis, a field-grade officer to serve as
the DANTES RC advisor.
(9) Require that military test control officers and test centers
comply with the guidance and procedures published in the DANTES
Examination Program Handbook, available at https://www.dantes.doded.mil/Programs/Docs/DEPH_part1.pdf.
(10) Require that personnel who provide counseling, advice, and
program management related to voluntary education programs have access
to the DoD Voluntary Education homepage and other Web sites so they can
provide current and accurate information to Service members.
(11) Provide opportunities for Service members to access the
Internet, where available, to enroll in and complete postsecondary
courses that are part of their approved educational plan leading to an
educational goal.
(12) Submit requested quarterly and annual information for the
Voluntary Education Management Information System (VEMIS) by the 20th
day of the month after the end of each fiscal quarter for the quarterly
reports and November 15th each year for the annual report. Reporting
information includes, but is not limited to voluntary education program
data on enrollments, participation, and costs.
(13) Respond to and resolve Service-specific student complaints
received and managed through the DoD Postsecondary Education Complaint
System.
(14) Provide Service members with a JST. At a minimum, the JST will
include documented military student data, courses, and military
occupations evaluated by ACE, including descriptions, learning outcomes
and equivalent college credit recommendations, as well as national
college-level exam results. The Air Force will continue to use the
Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) to document airmen's academic
and military credit.
(f) Secretary of the Navy. The Secretary of the Navy, as the DoD
Executive Agent (DoD EA) for DANTES pursuant to DoD Directive 1322.08E
and DoD Directive 5101.1, ``DoD Executive Agent'' (available at https://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/510101p.pdf), and in addition to
the responsibilities in this section, will:
(1) Transmit supplemental annual guidance issued by the USD(P&R) to
DANTES for those items not reflected in paragraph (f) of this section.
(2) Require that the Director, DANTES, provide updates on DANTES
plans, operations, and activities to the USD(P&R).
(3) Through its civilian personnel system, advertise the position
of Director, DANTES, when the position is vacated and appoint the
Director, DANTES, in accordance with the procedures outlined in Sec.
68.6.
Sec. 68.6 Procedures.
(a) TA for Service members participating in education programs.
(1) TA will be available for Service members participating in high
school completion and approved courses from accredited undergraduate or
graduate education programs or institutions. Approved courses are those
that are part of an identified course of study leading to a
postsecondary certificate or degree and non-degree oriented language
courses integral to the Defense Language Transformation Roadmap
(available at https://www.defense.gov/news/Mar2005/d20050330roadmap.pdf).
(i) Use of TA for non-degree oriented language courses is limited
to those published by the Under Secretary of Defense (P&R) on the DoD
Strategic Language List.
(ii) Dominant-in-the-force languages and languages deemed by DoD as
already having sufficient strategic capacity will not be funded under
10 U.S.C. 2007, except for assignments outside the continental United
States.
(2) TA will be applied as follows:
(i) For 100 percent of the cost of approved high school completion
programs for Service members who have not been awarded a high school or
equivalency diploma and who are enrolled in such programs.
(ii) In support of the voluntary education of active duty Service
members during their off-duty periods, each Military Service will pay
all or a portion, as specified in paragraphs (a)(2)(ii)(A) through (F)
of this section, of the charges of an educational institution for
education and training during the member's off-duty periods. TA funding
will only be paid to educational institutions accredited by an
accrediting organization recognized by ED, approved for Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) funding, and participating in Federal student aid
programs through the Department of Education under Title IV of the
Higher Education Act of 1965. Whenever ED withdraws the recognition of
any accrediting agency, an institution of higher education which meets
the requirements of accreditation, eligibility, and certification on
the day prior to such withdrawal, may, notwithstanding the withdrawal,
continue to participate in the TA program for a period not to exceed 18
months from the date of the withdrawal of recognition.
(A) When an institution's charges are equal to or less than the
established cap per semester-hour of credit or its equivalent, the
responsible Service will pay the entire amount charged by the
institution. In computing credit equivalency, the following conversions
will apply: 1 quarter-hour credit = \2/3\ semester-hour credit; and 45
contact hours will be considered equivalent to one semester-hour credit
when neither semester- nor quarter-hours are specified for the
education or training for which the Service member is enrolled.
(B) When an institution's charges exceed the established cap per
semester-hour of credit, or its equivalent, the responsible Service,
will pay no more than the established cap per semester-unit (or
equivalent) for tuition.
(C) Each Service member participating in off-duty, voluntary
education will be allowed up to the established ceiling, in aggregate,
for each fiscal year.
(D) Covered charges include those that are submitted to the Service
by the educational institution for tuition only.
(E) TA funds are not to be used for the purchase of books and fees.
Additionally, institutional education revenue generated from military
TA funds cannot be used to support textbook grants or scholarships.
(F) To be eligible to receive TA, a Service member must meet the
minimum requirement of successfully completing basic training. Reserve
Component members are exempt from the requirement to first attend basic
training before authorized to receive TA. Additional, respective
Service requirements must be met to include training qualification,
unit assignment, and time in service criteria.
(iii) The TA rate, credit-cap, and annual per capita ceiling, will
be reviewed annually in consideration of inflation and other effects,
and will be applicable uniformly whether instruction is delivered
traditionally in-the-classroom or through distance education. Rates of
TA other than as identified in paragraphs (a)(2)(ii)(A) through (F) of
this section are not authorized.
[[Page 49389]]
(3) Service-specific TA Eligibility Requirements.
(i) Service-specific eligibility criteria and management controls
are determined by each Military Service.
(ii) Service-specific TA eligibility criteria and management
controls may include, but are not limited to, applying TA:
(A) For courses leading to a certificate or required for a
credentialing program. All payments for courses must comply with the
allowable caps and ceilings.
(B) For graduate studies through the master's degree level. All
payments for courses must comply with the allowable caps and ceilings.
(C) For same level degrees, subject to availability of funds.
However, TA is primarily intended to raise the academic degree level of
the Service member.
(4) TA is available to a commissioned officer on active duty, other
than an officer serving in the Ready Reserves (addressed in paragraphs
(a)(5)(i) and (a)(6)(i) of this section), only if the officer agrees to
remain on active duty, for a period of at least two years after the
completion of the education or training for which TA was paid (see 10
U.S.C. 2007).
(5) The Secretary of the Military Department concerned may only
make TA available to a member of the SELRES, pursuant to 10 U.S.C.
2007, under the following conditions:
(i) In the case of a commissioned officer, the officer must agree
to remain a member of the SELRES for at least four years after
completion of the education or training for which TA is paid.
(ii) In the case of an enlisted member, the Secretary concerned may
require the member of the SELRES to enter into an agreement to remain a
member of the SELRES for up to four years after completion of the
education or training for which TA is paid.
(6) The Secretary of the Military Department concerned may only
make TA available to a member of the IRR who has a military
occupational specialty designated by the Secretary concerned pursuant
to 10 U.S.C. 2007 and only under the following conditions:
(i) In the case of a commissioned officer, the officer must agree
to remain a member of the SELRES or IRR for at least four years after
completion of the education or training for which TA was paid.
(ii) In the case of an enlisted member, the Secretary concerned may
require the member of the IRR to enter into an agreement to remain a
member of the IRR for up to four years after completion of the
education or training for which TA is paid.
(7) Members performing Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) duty under
either 10 U.S.C. 12310 or active duty under 14 U.S.C. 712 are eligible
for TA under paragraph (a)(4) of this section.
(8) The Secretary of the Military Department concerned may make TA
available to National Guard members in accordance with paragraph
(a)(4), except for National Guard members assigned to the Inactive
National Guard.
(9) Reimbursement and repayment requirements:
(i) If a commissioned officer or member of the RR does not fulfill
a specified Service obligation as required by 10 U.S.C. 2007, they are
subject to the repayment provisions of 37 U.S.C. 303a(e).
(ii) For other conditions pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2005, the Secretary
concerned may require a Service member to enter into a written
agreement when providing advanced education assistance. If the Service
member does not fulfill any terms or conditions as prescribed by the
Secretary concerned, the Service member will be subject to the
repayment provisions of 37 U.S.C. 303a(e).
(iii) Pursuant to 37 U.S.C. 303a(e), the Secretary concerned may
establish procedures for determining the amount of the repayment
required from the Service member and the circumstances under which an
exception to the required repayment may be granted.
(iv) Reimbursement will be required from the Service member if a
successful course completion is not obtained. For the purpose of
reimbursement, a successful course completion is defined as a grade of
``C'' or higher for undergraduate courses, a ``B'' or higher for
graduate courses and a ``Pass'' for ``Pass/Fail'' grades. Reimbursement
will also be required from the Service member if he or she fails to
make up a grade of ``I'' for incomplete within the time limits
stipulated by the institution or 6 months after the completion of the
class, whichever comes first. The Secretary of the Military Department
will establish recoupment processes for unsuccessful completion of
courses.
(10) Students using TA must maintain a cumulative grade point
average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher after completing 15 semester hours, or
equivalent, in undergraduate studies, or a GPA of 3.0 or higher after
completing 6 semester hours or equivalent, in graduate studies, on a
4.0 grading scale. If GPA falls below these minimum GPA limits, TA will
not be authorized and Service members will use alternative funding
(such as financial aid or personal funds) to enroll in courses to raise
the cumulative GPA to 2.0 for undergraduate studies or 3.0 for graduate
studies.
(11) TA will not be authorized for any course for which a Service
member receives reimbursement in whole or in part from any other
Federal source when the payment would constitute a duplication of
benefits. Academic institutions have the responsibility to notify the
Service if there is any duplication of benefits, determine the amount
of credit that should be returned, and credit the amount back to the
Service. The use of funds related to veterans' benefits to supplement
TA received by active duty and Reserve component personnel is
authorized in accordance with applicable VA guidelines.
(12) Pell Grants may be used in conjunction with TA assistance to
pay that portion of tuition costs not covered by TA.
(13) TA will be provided for courses provided by institutions
awarding degrees based on demonstrated competency, if:
(i) Competency rates are equated to semester or quarter units of
credit, and
(ii) The institution publishes traditional grade correlations with
``Pass/Fail'' grades, and
(iii) The institution provides a breakdown by course equivalent for
Service members.
(14) Enrollment in a professional practicum integral to these types
of programs is also authorized. However, normal DoD TA caps and
ceilings apply; the cost of expanded levels of enrollment over and
above these enrollment levels and normal caps and ceilings must be
borne by the student.
(15) When used for postsecondary education, TA will be provided
only for courses offered by postsecondary institutions whose home
campus is operating within the United States, to include the District
of Columbia and U.S. territories, which are accredited by a national or
regional accrediting body recognized by the ED.
(16) On a date to be determined, but not earlier than 60 days
following the publication of this part in the Federal Register, to
receive TA, all institution home campuses must sign the revised DoD
Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in
appendices A, B, C, D, and E to this part, and the name of the
institution must be posted on the DoD MOU Web site under the
`Participating Institutions' tab (located at https://www.dodmou.com).
One signed, revised DoD Voluntary Education Partnership MOU with the
institution's home campus will cover any program offered by the
institution, regardless of location.
[[Page 49390]]
The requirement to sign the revised DoD MOU contained in this part
applies to institutions with a previously approved and signed DoD MOU
posted on the DoD MOU Web site.
(17) To the extent that any provision of the standard language of
the DoD Voluntary Education Partnership MOU template in appendices A,
B, C, D, and E to this part, results from DoD policy that conflicts
with a state law or regulation, the DASD(MCFP) may authorize amending
the standard language of the DoD Voluntary Education Partnership MOU
template on a case-by-case basis to the extent permissible by Federal
law or regulation.
(18) A DoD MOU with an institution may be suspended or terminated
by DoD in the following circumstances:
(i) The DoD MOU with an institution may be terminated by the
ASD(R&FM) following written notice and an opportunity to respond for
the failure to comply with any element of this part of the DoD MOU. In
addition, an otherwise qualified institution may be suspended from
participating in the tuition assistance program by the ASD(R&FM)
following written notice and an opportunity to respond through either
the termination of an existing DoD MOU or the refusal by DoD to enter
into a new DoD MOU upon indictment of the institution or any senior
official of the institution on a criminal charge related to the
operation of the institution. The decision of the ASD(R&FM) in either
of these cases may be appealed to the USD(P&R), and the decision of the
USD(P&R) will be deemed to be the final administrative action by DoD on
the matter.
(ii) An otherwise qualified institution may also be immediately
suspended from participating in the tuition assistance program through
either the termination of an existing DoD MOU or the refusal to enter
into a new DoD MOU by the USD(P&R) on national security grounds.
Written notice of the action shall be provided to the institution, and,
if practicable without damaging national security, the written notice
shall include a short unclassified summary of the reasons for the
action. Such a decision of the USD(P&R) is only appealable to the
Secretary of Defense, who has authorized the Deputy Secretary of
Defense to act on such an appeal.
(iii) The authorities under this part are not delegable.
(b) Guidelines for establishing, maintaining, and operating
voluntary education programs.
(1) Education programs established under this part by each Military
Service will:
(i) Provide for the academic, technical, intellectual, personal,
and professional development of Service members, thereby contributing
to the readiness of the Military Services and the quality of life of
Service members and their families.
(ii) Increase Service members' opportunities for advancement and
leadership by reinforcing their academic skills and occupational
competencies with new skills and knowledge.
(iii) Lead to a credential, such as a high school diploma,
certificate, or college degree, signifying satisfactory completion of
the educational program.
(iv) Include an academic skills program, which allows personnel to
upgrade their reading, writing, computation, and communication
abilities in support of academic skills and military occupations and
careers. Academic skills programs may include English as a Second
Language, mathematics and basic science.
(v) Include programs and college offerings that support findings
from periodic needs assessments conducted by the appropriate
installation official (normally the Education Services Officer) for
programs provided on the installation. The installation needs
assessment process is used to determine such items as staffing
requirements, course offerings, size of facilities, funding, or other
standards for delivery of educational programs. Duplication of course
offerings on an installation should be avoided. However, the
availability of similar courses through correspondence or electronic
delivery will not be considered duplication.
(vi) Be described in a publication or on-line source that includes
on-installation educational programs, programs available at nearby
installations, and colleges and universities nearby the installation.
(2) Each Military Service, in cooperation with community
educational service providers, will provide support essential to
operating effective education programs. This support includes:
(i) Adequate funds for program implementation, administration, and
TA.
(ii) Adequately trained staff to determine program needs, counsel
students, provide testing services, and procure educational programs
and services. Education counseling will be provided by qualified
professional (Education Services Series 1740 or individual with
equivalent qualifications) individuals.
(iii) Adequate and appropriate classroom, laboratory, and office
facilities and equipment, including computers to support local needs.
(iv) Access to telecommunications networks, computers, and physical
or online libraries at times convenient to active duty personnel.
(3) In operating its programs, each Military Service will:
(i) Provide to newly assigned personnel, as part of their
orientation to each new installation or unit of assignment for Reserve
component personnel, information about voluntary education programs
available at that installation, unit, or State for RC personnel.
(ii) Maintain participants' educational records showing education
accomplishments and educational goals.
(iii) Provide for the continuing professional development of their
education services staff, including the participation of field staff in
professional, as well as Service-sponsored, conferences, symposiums,
and workshops.
(iv) Provide educational services, including TA counseling,
academic advice and testing to their personnel and to personnel of
other Services (including the U.S. Coast Guard when operating as a
service in the Navy) who are assigned for duty at installations of the
host Service. These educational services will be provided by qualified
professional (Education Services Series 1740 or individual with
equivalent qualifications) individuals in sufficient numbers to operate
voluntary education programs as determined by individual Service
standards. Outcomes from these educational services will include the
following:
(A) A prior learning assessment that includes a review of all
education transcripts to include the joint services transcript, the
Community College of the Air Force transcript, and academic transcript
recommendations for ACE recommended credit.
(B) An assessment of readiness for the education plan that is in
support of the Service member's career goals and a discussion of
academic skills development programs.
(C) Discussion and review of technical credentials that can be
obtained concurrent to academic pursuits.
(D) Discussion of credit-by-examination options.
(E) Review of academic program options, leading to a degree plan.
(F) Discussion with prospective military students on payment
options and the use of education benefits for postsecondary courses to
include DoD TA Program, Department of Veterans
[[Page 49391]]
Affairs education benefit programs, state and federal grants and loans,
commercial lending, and out-of-pocket costs for the Service member.
Discussion will include streamlined tools and information to compare
educational institutions using key measures of affordability and value
through the VA eBenefits portal at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov. The
eBenefits portal is updated by VA to facilitate access to school
performance information and key Federal financial aid documents.
(v) Continually assess the state of its voluntary education
programs and periodically conduct a formal needs assessment by the
appropriate installation official (normally the Education Services
Officer) to ensure that the best possible programs are available to
their members at each installation or in their State or area command
for RC personnel. It is essential that a formal needs assessment be
conducted if there is a significant change in the demographic profile
of the installation population.
(4) Eligible adult family members of Service members, DoD civilian
employees and their eligible adult family members, and military
retirees may participate in installation postsecondary education
programs on a space-available basis at no cost to the individual
Service TA programs.
(5) At locations where an educational program that is offered on an
installation is not otherwise conveniently available outside the
installation, civilians who are not directly employed by the DoD or
other Federal agencies, and who are not eligible adult family members
of DoD personnel, may be allowed to participate in installation
educational programs. While such participation contributes to positive
community relations, participation must be on a student-funded, space-
available basis at no cost to the individual Service TA programs, after
the registration of Service members, DoD civilian employees, eligible
adult family members, and military retirees. Additionally, a review of
these potential participants by the relevant installation ethics
counselor may be required as part of the installation commander's
access requirements. Participation may also be subject to the terms of
status-of-forces or other regulating agreements.
(6) Education centers and Navy College offices will maintain
liaison with appropriate State planning and approving agencies and
coordinating councils to ensure that planning agencies for continuing,
adult, or postsecondary education are aware of the educational needs of
military personnel located within their jurisdiction.
(7) In supporting a high school completion program, each Military
Service will:
(i) Ensure that all Service members with less than a high school
education have the opportunity to attain a high school diploma or its
equivalent.
(ii) Ensure that neither a Military Service nor DANTES issues a
certificate or similar document to Service members based on performance
on high school equivalency tests. Military Services will recognize
attainment of high school completion or equivalency only after a State-
or territory-approved agency has awarded the appropriate credential.
(iii) Pay 100 percent of the cost of high school equivalency
instruction or proficiency testing and credentialing for Service
members.
(iv) Ensure that Service sponsored high school diploma programs are
delivered by institutions that are State-funded or a Service component
program accredited by a regional accrediting body or recognized by a
State's secondary school authority.
(c) Procedures for the installation education advisor, on behalf of
the installation commander, to follow to obtain voluntary education
programs and services from postsecondary institutions of higher
learning.
(1) Since contacts by a school with a Service member for the
purpose of asking or encouraging the member to sign up for one of the
school's programs (assuming the program has some cost) are considered
personal commercial solicitations, ensure schools comply with DoD
Instruction 1344.07, ``Personal Commercial Solicitation on DoD
Installations'' (available at https://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/134407p.pdf) and all requirements established by the
installation commander for solicitation.
(2) Do not allow installation access to marketing firms or
companies that own, operate, or represent higher-learning institutions;
this privilege is reserved only for academic institution employees
meeting the requirements as stated in the policy section of this part.
(3) Educational institutions interested in providing education,
guidance, training opportunities, and participating in education fairs
on a military installation provide their requests to the installation
education advisor, who will review and analyze these requests on behalf
of the installation commander.
(4) The installation education advisor will ensure all education
institutions granted access to military bases to provide education,
guidance, training opportunities, and participate in education fairs to
Service members:
(i) Adhere to federal law, DoD Instruction 1344.07, DoD Instruction
1322.19, ``Voluntary Education Programs in Overseas Areas'' (available
at https://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/132219p.pdf; and the
cognizant Military Service's policies and regulations.
(ii) Comply with applicable installation policies and procedures
designated by the installation commander on such matters as fire and
safety, environment, physical security, personnel background checks,
vehicle inspection and registration, and any other applicable statutes
or regulations designated by the installation commander.
(5) Monitor institutions granted access to an installation to
ensure they do not:
(i) Use unfair, deceptive, abusive or fraudulent devices, schemes,
or artifices, including misleading advertising or sales literature.
(ii) Engage in unfair, deceptive, or abusive marketing tactics such
as unit briefings or assemblies, open recruiting efforts or
distribution of marketing materials on the installation.
(iii) Market to or recruit newly assigned military personnel to the
installation, unless the Service member has received information about
voluntary education programs and educational services available at that
installation, to include TA, from their education services staff or as
part of their orientation to the new installation.
(6) Ensure institutions of higher learning granted access to
military installations to provide programs, services, or education
guidance to their students meet the following criteria:
(i) Have a signed MOU with DoD.
(ii) Are in compliance with state requirements where services will
be rendered.
(iii) Are State approved for the use of veteran's education
benefits. For DL courses and programs, State approval for the use of
veteran's education benefits will be certified in the State where the
DL course or program originated or is managed. Copies of the
certification will be filed with the appropriate state approving agency
for the military or veteran student.
(iv) Are participating in Federal student aid programs through the
U.S. Department of Education under title IV of the Higher Education Act
of 1965.
(v) Are accredited by a national or regional accrediting body
recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and conduct programs
only from among those offered or authorized by the main administrative
and academic office in
[[Page 49392]]
accordance with standard procedures for authorization of degree
programs by the institution.
(7) Military installations seeking an institution to provide on-
installation education programs, through the installation education
advisor, must:
(i) Communicate the installation's educational needs to a wide
variety of potential providers.
(ii) Seek favorable tuition rates, student services, and
instructional support from providers.
(iii) Provide to interested providers:
(A) The level of services, instruction desired and specific degree
programs being sought.
(B) A demographic profile of the installation population and
probable volume of participation in the program.
(C) Facilities and level of security at no charge to the
institution.
(D) Cost associated with equipment and supporting services provided
at the discretion of the installation.
(E) A copy of this part.
(F) Special requirements such as:
(1) Format (e.g., distance, evening, or weekend classes),
independent study, short seminar, or other mode of delivery of
instruction.
(2) Unique scheduling problems related to the operational mission
of the installation.
(3) Any installation restrictions, limitations, or special
considerations relevant to using an alternate delivery system (DL,
etc.).
(4) Available computer hardware and supporting equipment.
(5) Electrical, satellite, and network capabilities at the site.
(8) In evaluating proposals, installation education advisors must
ensure potential providers meet, at a minimum, the following criteria:
(i) Programs satisfy objectives defined by the most recent needs
assessment.
(ii) Programs, courses, and completion requirements are the same as
those at the provider's main administrative and academic campus.
(iii) The institution granting undergraduate academic credit must
adhere to the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Principles and
Criteria (available at https://www.soc.aascu.org/socconsortium/PublicationsSOC.html) regarding the transferability of credit, the
awarding of credit for military training and experience, and residency
requirements.
(iv) The provider is prepared to:
(A) Offer academic counseling and flexibility in accommodating
special military schedules.
(B) Ensure main administrative and academic office approval in
faculty selection, assignment, and orientation; and participation in
monitoring and evaluation of programs. Adjunct or part-time faculty
will possess comparable qualifications as full-time permanent faculty
members.
(C) Conduct on-installation courses that carry identical credit
values, represent the same content and experience, and use the same
student evaluation procedures as courses offered through the main
administrative and academic campus. All substantive course change
requirements must follow the schools accreditation agencies
requirements. If the institution's accrediting agency's substantive
change policy requires new courses or program offerings to be submitted
to the agency for approval, the institution will be required to submit
such items for approval prior to admitting Service members using
military TA.
(D) Maintain the same admission and graduation standards that exist
for the same programs at the main administrative and academic office,
and include credits from courses taken off-campus in establishing
academic residency to meet degree requirements.
(E) Provide library and other reference and research resources, in
either print or electronic format, that are appropriate and necessary
to support course offerings.
(F) Establish procedures to maintain regular communication between
central institutional academic leadership and administrators and off-
campus representatives and faculty. Any institution's proposal must
specify these procedures.
(G) Provide students with regular and accessible academic and
financial counseling services either electronically or in-person. At a
minimum, this includes Title IV and VA education benefits.
(H) Charge tuition that is not more than tuition charged to
nonmilitary students.
(I) Have established policies for awarding credit for military
training by examinations, experiential learning, and courses completed
using modes of delivery other than instructor-delivered, on-site
classroom instruction.
(J) Conduct programs only from among those offered or authorized by
the main administrative and academic office in accordance with standard
procedures for authorization of degree programs by the institution.
(d) Requirements and procedures for institutions seeking access to
the military installation solely to provide education guidance.
(1) Institutions must meet the criteria in paragraphs (c)(6)(i)
through (c)(6)(v) of this section.
(2) Institutions must have an on installation student population of
at least 20 active duty military students, except in overseas locations
covered by DoD Instruction 1322.19. For this exception, only contracted
institutions are permitted on overseas installations.
(3) Institutions must request access through the installation
education advisor or Navy College Office Director via a written
proposal. If a request is received from an institution seeking access
to a joint military installation, the education advisor or Navy College
Office Director from the installation education centers will work
together to determine the appropriate Military Service to work the
request. The request should include as a minimum:
(i) Institution name and intent or purpose of the visit.
(ii) Number and names of school representatives that will be
available.
(iii) Counseling delivery method: By appointment or walk-in.
(iv) Communication process used to inform students of their
availability for counseling.
(4) The installation education advisor will review and analyze the
request on behalf of the installation commander. The installation
commander has the final authority to approve, deny, suspend, or
withdraw installation access permission from an institution, as deemed
appropriate.
(5) If a request is received from an institution seeking access to
a military installation, the installation education advisor or Navy
College Office Director will:
(i) Fully consider requests from those institutions complying with
requirements as stated in paragraphs (d)(1) through (d)(3) of this
section and be consistent in treatment of institutions in accordance
with this part. Also, consider the value to the Service member as it
relates to geographic location, accessibility and mission tempo.
(ii) If request is denied, provide a timely response to the
institution; inform institution they may reapply for access once
reasons for denial are addressed.
(iii) Maintain copies of all correspondence in accordance with the
installation records management schedule and disposition, with a
minimum time requirement of two years.
(6) If an installation grants access to an institution to provide
guidance to their students, the institution will:
(i) Only advise or counsel students at the education center or at a
location approved by the education advisor.
[[Page 49393]]
(ii) Maintain a list of students counseled and provide a copy to
the education office. List will annotate type of program and status of
the Service member (current or reenrollment).
(iii) Comply with applicable installation policies and procedures
designated by the installation commander on such matters as fire and
safety, environment, physical security, personnel background checks,
vehicle inspection and registration, and any other applicable statutes
or regulations designated by the installation commander.
(e) Interservice Voluntary Education Board. Under the direction of
the Voluntary Education Chief, the Interservice Voluntary Education
Board is composed of full-time or permanent part-time employees of DoD
or military members, and consists of one representative responsible for
policy from the Office of the ASD(RA), and the senior voluntary
education advisor responsible for policy each from the Army, Navy, Air
Force, and Marine Corps The Director, DANTES, will serve as an ex-
officio member. Meeting quarterly, the Board will:
(1) Provide a forum for the exchange of information and discussion
of issues related to voluntary education programs.
(2) Develop recommendations for changes in policies and procedures.
(3) Develop recommendations for DANTES' activities and operations
that support voluntary education programs.
(4) Review and prioritize DANTES activities that support DoD
voluntary education programs, to include budget execution and recommend
execution year adjustments.
(5) Develop recommended policy and program guidance for DANTES for
the Future-Year Defense Program.
(f) DANTES.
(1) Guidance and recommendations for DANTES will be developed with
the advice of the Interservice Voluntary Education Board.
(2) The selection and rating of the Director, DANTES will be as
follows:
(i) The DASD(MCFP) will convene and chair the search committee
responsible for replacing the Director, DANTES, when the position is
vacated. At the request of the USD(P&R), the Secretaries of the
Military Departments will provide a senior manager to sit on the search
committee. The committee will recommend the best qualified candidate to
the DoD EA for DANTES, for possible appointment as the Director,
DANTES.
(ii) The DoD EA for DANTES will designate the rater of the
Director, DANTES. The Director, State Liaison and Educational
Opportunity within the Office of the USD(P&R), MCFP, will provide input
to the DoD EA designated rater concerning the performance of the
Director, DANTES.
(3) DANTES will:
(i) Support the Service voluntary education programs by executing
the program outlined in this part and the annual USD(P&R) supplemental
guidance for those items not reflected in this paragraph of this
section.
(ii) Provide execution information to the Interservice Voluntary
Education Board quarterly and provide information required to assist
with the program objective memorandum development as requested by the
Board.
(iii) Support DoD off-duty, voluntary education programs and
conduct special projects and developmental activities in support of
education-related DoD functions.
(iv) Assist the Military Services in providing high-quality and
valuable educational opportunities for Service members, their eligible
adult family members, and DoD personnel, and assist personnel in
achieving professional and personal educational objectives. This role
includes the consolidated management of programs that prevent
duplication of effort among the Services. Through its activities,
DANTES supports DoD recruitment, retention, and the transition efforts.
(v) Assume responsibilities and functions that include:
(A) Managing and facilitating the delivery of a wide variety of
examinations including the General Equivalency Diploma test, college
admissions, credit-by-examination programs, and an extensive number of
certification examinations.
(B) Upon request, issuing transcripts for the United States Armed
Forces Institute and the examination and certification programs.
(C) Managing the contract through which former DoD Dependents
Schools students can obtain copies of archived transcripts.
(D) Managing the contract and functions related to the evaluation
of educational experiences in the Military Services that are covered by
the contract.
(E) Providing or developing and distributing educational materials,
reference books, counseling publications, educational software, and key
educational resource information to DoD Components and the
installations.
(F) Managing the SOC program contract and related functions.
(G) Managing the DoD contract that provides for periodic third-
party reviews of DoD voluntary education programs entitled the Third
Party Education Assessment.
(H) Managing the data received on the voluntary education programs
for the Voluntary Education Management Information System (VEMIS),
which includes gathering, collating, and verifying participation and
cost data from the Services. Providing requisite consolidated reports
to USD(P&R). Requested data from the Military Services on voluntary
education programs is located and stored at https://afaems.langley.af.mil/vemis. A user guide containing voluntary
education program data and report information for the Military Services
and DANTES is also available at this Web site, under the ``Resources''
tab.
(I) Managing the DoD independent study catalog and its support
systems, as required.
(J) Negotiating, administering, and coordinating contracts for DoD
Worldwide Education Symposiums in support of and in conjunction with
the Interservice Voluntary Education Board.
(K) Establishing, refining, updating, and maintaining information
on worldwide education support of DoD off-duty, voluntary education
programs on the Internet. Maintaining necessary infrastructure to
ensure that information on the Internet is always current and available
to leadership, agency personnel, the public, and others.
(L) Administering the TTT program in accordance with section 1154
of chapter 58 of 10 U.S.C.
(M) Monitoring new technological developments, providing reports,
cost analyses, and recommendations on educational innovations, and
conducting special projects requested by the Department of Defense and
the Services, approved by the Interservice Voluntary Education Board,
and as reflected and approved in DANTES' annual policy guidance.
(N) Conducting staff development training on DANTES' policies,
procedures, and practices related to voluntary education testing
programs, and providing additional training as requested by the Office
of the Secretary of Defense and the Services.
(O) Serving as the Defense Media Activity's point of contact for
information on DANTES programs for military personnel.
(P) Providing support, as requested, to DoD and Service Quality of
Life and Transition support programs.
(Q) Providing other support in mission areas as directed by the
USD(P&R) and the DASD(MCFP).
(R) Managing DoD Contingency Tri-Service Contracts, which provide
educational opportunities for deployed
[[Page 49394]]
Service members with guidance and oversight from the DoD Voluntary
Education Chief.
(S) Monitoring and maintaining liaison with the office responsible
for consolidating and distributing the joint services transcript for
the Services.
(vi) Maintain liaison with education services officials of the
Military Services, and appropriate Federal and State agencies and
educational associations, in matters related to the DANTES mission and
assigned functions.
(vii) Serve on panels and working groups designated by the
DASD(MCFP).
(viii) Serve as the Executive Secretary at the Interservice
Voluntary Education Board meeting convened annually to review DANTES
programs and to develop recommendations for inclusion in annual policy
guidance for DANTES. In this role, the Director, DANTES, will
coordinate the meeting, prepare the agenda, review and analyze DANTES
programs and initiatives outlined in the prior year's operational plan,
and provide minutes after the meeting.
(ix) Maintain the repository for the DoD Voluntary Education
Partnership MOU between USD(P&R) and partner institutions, to include
Service-specific addendums (see the Appendix to this section for
template of DoD MOU). DANTES will:
(A) Administer and update the system that stores the repository of
the MOUs per guidance from USD(P&R).
(B) Create, track, and maintain a centrally managed database for
all signed documents.
(C) Publish an Internet-based list of all institutions that have a
signed partnership DoD MOU.
(D) Generate reports in accordance with guidance from the USD(P&R)
and procedures in DTM 12-004, ``DoD Internal Information Collections''
(available at https://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/DTM-12-004.pdf) and DoD 8910-1-M, ``Department of Defense Procedures for
Management of Information Requirements'' (available at https://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/891001m.pdf).
(x) Provide data analyses and generate reports required by DoD and
the Interservice Voluntary Education Board as needed.
Appendix A to Part 68--DoD Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) Between DoD Office of the Under Secretary of
Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)) and [Name of Educational
Institution]
1. Preamble.
a. Providing access to quality postsecondary education
opportunities is a strategic investment that enhances the U.S.
Service member's ability to support mission accomplishment and
successfully return to civilian life. A forward-leaning, lifelong
learning environment is fundamental to the maintenance of a mentally
powerful and adaptive leadership-ready force. Today's fast-paced and
highly mobile environment, where frequent deployments and
mobilizations are required to support the Nation's policies and
objectives, requires DoD to sponsor postsecondary educational
programs using a variety of learning modalities that include
instructor-led courses offered both on- and off-installation, as
well as distance learning options. All are designed to support the
professional and personal development and progress of the Service
members and our DoD civilian workforce.
b. Making these postsecondary programs available to the military
community as a whole further provides Service members, their
eligible adult family members, DoD civilian employees, and military
retirees ways to advance their personal education and career
aspirations and prepares them for future vocational pursuits, both
inside and outside of DoD. This helps strengthen the Nation by
producing a well-educated citizenry and ensures the availability of
a significant quality-of-life asset that enhances recruitment and
retention efforts in an all-volunteer force.
2. Purpose.
a. This MOU articulates the commitment and agreement educational
institutions provide to DoD by accepting funds via each Service's
tuition assistance (TA) program in exchange for education services.
b. This MOU is not an obligation of funds, guarantee of program
enrollments by DoD personnel, their eligible adult family members,
DoD civilian employees, and retirees in an educational institution's
academic programs, or a guarantee for installation access.
c. This MOU covers courses delivered by educational institutions
through all modalities. These include, but are not limited to,
classroom instruction, distance education (i.e., web-based, CD-ROM,
or multimedia) and correspondence courses.
d. This MOU includes high school programs, academic skills
programs, and adult education programs for military personnel and
their eligible adult family members.
e. This MOU articulates regulatory and governing directives and
instructions:
(1) Eligibility of DoD recipients is governed by Federal law,
DoD Instruction 1322.25, DoD Directive 1322.08E, and the cognizant
Military Service's policies, regulations, and fiscal constraints.
(2) Postsecondary educational programs provided to Service
members using TA on military installations outside of the United
States, will be operated in accordance with guidance from DoD
Instruction 1322.25, DoD Instruction 1322.19, section 1212 of Public
Law 99-145, as amended by section 518 of Public Law 101-189; and
under the terms of the Tri-Services contract currently in effect.
f. This MOU is subject at all times to Federal law and the
rules, guidelines, and regulations of DoD. Any conflicts between
this MOU and such Federal law, rules, guidelines, and regulations
will be resolved in favor of the Federal law, rules, guidelines, or
regulations.
3. Educational Institution (Including Certificate and Degree
Granting Educational Institutions) Requirements for TA. Educational
institutions must:
a. Sign and adhere to requirements of this MOU, including
Service-specific addendums as appropriate, prior to being eligible
to receive TA payments.
(1) Those educational institutions that have a current MOU with
DoD will sign this MOU:
(a) At the expiration of their current MOU;
(b) At the request of DoD or the specific Military Service
holding a separate current MOU. The DoD Voluntary Education
Partnership MOU (which includes the Service-specific addendums) is
required for an institution to participate in the DoD TA Program. An
``installation MOU'' (which is separate from this MOU) is only
required if an institution is operating on a military installation.
The installation MOU:
1. Contains the installation-unique requirements that the
installation's education advisor coordinated, documented, and
retained; is approved by the appropriate Service voluntary education
representative; and is presented to the installation commander for
final approval.
2. Cannot conflict with the DoD Voluntary Education Partnership
MOU and governing regulations.
(2) Educational institutions must comply with this MOU and the
requirements in Service-specific addendums that do not conflict with
governing Federal law and rules, guidelines, and regulations, which
include, but are not limited to, Title 10 of the U.S. Code; DoD
Directive 1322.08E, ``Voluntary Education Programs for Military
Personnel''; DoD Instruction 1322.25, ``Voluntary Education
Programs''; DoD Instruction 1322.19, ``Voluntary Education Programs
in Overseas Areas''; and all installation requirements imposed by
the installation commander, if the educational institution has been
approved to operate on a particular base. Educational institutions
failing to comply with the requirements set forth in this MOU may
receive a letter of warning, be denied the opportunity to establish
new programs, have their MOU terminated, be removed from the
installation, and may have the approval of the issuance of TA
withdrawn by the Service concerned.
b. Be accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency
recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, approved for VA
funding, and participating in Federal student aid programs through
the Department of Education under Title IV of the Higher Education
Act of 1965.
c. Comply with the regulatory guidance provided by DoD and the
Services.
d. Participate in the Third Party Education Assessment process
when requested. This requirement applies not only to institutions
providing courses on military installations, but also to those
institutions that provide postsecondary instruction that is not
located on the military installation or via DL.
(1) If an institution is operating on the military installation,
the institution will
[[Page 49395]]
resolve the assessment report findings and provide corrective
actions taken within six months following the Third Party Education
Assessment to the appropriate education advisor on the military
installation, the appropriate Service Voluntary Education Chief, and
the DoD Voluntary Education Chief.
(2) If an institution is operating off the military installation
or via DL, the institution will resolve the assessment report
findings and provide corrective actions taken within six months
following the Third Party Education Assessment to the DoD Voluntary
Education Chief.
(3) In instances when the resolution action cannot be completed
within the six month timeframe, the institution will submit a status
report every three months to the appropriate education advisor on
the military installation if the institution is operating on the
military installation, and the DoD Voluntary Education Chief, until
the recommendation is resolved.
e. Prior to enrollment, provide each student with specific
information on locating, understanding, and using the following
tools:
(1) The College Scorecard is a consumer planning tool and
resource to assist prospective students and their families as they
evaluate options in selecting a school and is located at: https://collegecost.ed.gov/scorecard/.
(2) The Department of Education's Financial Aid Shopping Sheet
is used by institutions to assist prospective students and their
families better understand the costs of attending an institution
before making the final decision on where to enroll. The Shopping
Sheet is located at https://collegecost.ed.gov/shopping_sheet.pdf.
(3) The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, located at https://www.consumerfinance.gov. The Web site allows prospective students to
enter the names of up to three schools and receives detailed
financial information on each one and to enter actual financial aid
award information.
f. Designate a point of contact or office for academic and
financial advising, including access to disability counseling, to
assist Service members with completion of studies and with job
search activities.
(1) The designated person or office will serve as a point of
contact for Service members seeking information about available,
appropriate academic counseling, financial aid counseling, and
student support services at the institution;
(2) Point of contact will have:
(a) Basic understanding of the military tuition assistance
program, Department of Education Title IV funding, education
benefits offered by the VA, and familiarity with institutional
services available to assist Service members; and
(b) The point of contact does not need to be exclusively
dedicated to providing these services and, as appropriate, may refer
the Service member to other individuals with an ability to provide
these services, both on- and off-campus.
g. Prior to offering, recommending, arranging, signing-up,
dispersing, or enrolling Service members for private student loans,
provide Service members access to an institutional financial aid
advisor who will make available appropriate loan counseling to
include but not limited to:
(1) Providing a clear and complete explanation of available
financial aid, to include Title IV of the Higher Education Act of
1965, as amended;
(2) Describing the differences between private and Federal
student loans and how Federal student loans generally offer more
favorable terms, conditions, repayment and forgiveness options;
(3) Disclosing the institution's student loan Cohort Default
Rate (CDR), the percentage of its students who borrow, and how its
CDR compares to the national average. If the institution's CDR is
greater than the national average CDR, it must disclose that
information and provide the student with loan repayment data; and
(4) Explaining that students have the ability to refuse all or
borrow less than the maximum student loan amount allowed.
h. Have a readmissions policy for Service members:
(1) Allow Service members and reservists to be readmitted to a
program if they are temporarily unable to attend class or have to
suspend their studies due to service requirements.
(2) Follow the regulation released by the Department of
Education (34 CFR 668.8) regarding readmissions requirements for
returning Service members seeking readmission to a program that was
interrupted due to a Military service obligation, and to apply those
provisions to Service members that are temporarily unable to attend
classes for less than 30 days within a semester or similar
enrollment period due to a Military service obligation. A
description of the provisions for U.S. Armed Forces members and
their families is provided in Chapter 3 of Volume 2 of the Federal
Student Aid Handbook.
i. Have policies in place and within compliance with the
regulations issued by the Department of Education (34 CFR 688.71-
668.75 and 668.14) related to program integrity issues, including
restrictions on recruitment, misrepresentation, and payment of
incentive compensation. Adopt an institutional policy banning
inducements (including any gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment,
hospitality, loan, transportation, lodging, meals, or other item
having a monetary value of more than a de minimus amount) to any
individual or entity (other than salaries paid to employees or fees
paid to contractors in conformity with all applicable laws) for the
purpose of securing enrollments of Service members or obtaining
access to TA funds as part of efforts to eliminate unfair,
deceptive, and abusive marketing aimed at Service members.
j. Have policies in place and within compliance with the
regulations issued by the Department of Education (34 CFR 688.43,
668.71-668.75, 668.14 and 600.9) related to program integrity
issues, including State authorization. Refrain from high-pressure
recruitment tactics as part of efforts to eliminate unfair,
deceptive, and abusive marketing aimed at Service members. Such
tactics include making multiple unsolicited phone calls to Service
members for the purpose of securing their enrollment.
k. Refrain from providing any commission, bonus, or other
incentive payment based directly or indirectly or use third party
lead generators on securing enrollments or Federal financial aid
(including TA funds) to any persons or entities engaged in any
student recruiting, admission activities, or making decisions
regarding the award of student financial assistance. These tactics
are discouraged as part of efforts to eliminate unfair, deceptive,
and abusive marketing aimed at Service members.
l. Refrain from automatic program renewals, bundling courses or
enrollments. The student and Military Service must approve all
course enrollments prior to the start date of the class.
m. If the institution is a member of the Servicemembers
Opportunity Colleges (SOC), in addition to the requirements stated
in paragraphs 3.a through 3.l of this DoD MOU, the institution will:
(1) Adhere to the SOC Principles, Criteria, and Military Student
Bill of Rights. (located at https://www.soc.aascu.org/socconsortium/PublicationsSOC.html).
(2) Provide processes to determine credit awards and learning
acquired for specialized military training and occupational
experience when applicable to a Service member's degree program.
(3) Recognize and use the ACE Guide to the Evaluation of
Educational Experiences in the Armed Services to determine the value
of learning acquired in military service. Award credit for
appropriate learning acquired in military service at levels
consistent with ACE Guide recommendations and/or those transcripted
by the Community College of the Air Force, when applicable to a
Service member's program.
n. If an institution elects not to be a member of SOC, in
addition to the requirements stated in paragraphs 3.a. through 3.l.
of this DoD MOU, the institution will:
(1) Disclose its transfer credit policies prior to a Service
member's enrollment.
(a) If the institution accepts transfer credit from other
accredited institutions, then the institution agrees to evaluate
these credits in conformity with the principles set forth in the
Joint Statement on the Transfer and Award of Credit developed by
members of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and
Admissions Officers, the American Council on Education, and the
Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The institution will
then award appropriate credit, to the extent practicable within the
framework of its institutional mission and academic policies.
(b) Decisions about the amount of transfer credit accepted, and
how it will be applied to the student's program, will be left to the
institution.
(2) Disclose its policies on how they award academic credit for
prior learning experiences, including military training and
experiential learning opportunities provided by the Military
Services, at or before a Service member's enrollment.
[[Page 49396]]
(a) In so far as the institution's policies generally permit for
the award of credit for comparable prior learning experiences, the
institution agrees to evaluate the learning experiences documented
on the Service member's official Service transcripts, and, if
appropriate, award credit.
(b) The joint services transcript is an official education
transcripts tool for documenting the recommended college credits for
professional military education, training courses, and occupational
experiences of Service members across the Services. The joint
services transcript incorporates data from documents such as the
Army/ACE Registry Transcript System, the Sailor/Marine ACE Registry
Transcript System, the Community College of the Air Force
transcript, and the Coast Guard Institute transcript.
(c) Decisions about the amount of experiential learning credit
awarded, and how it will be applied to the student's program, will
be left to the institution. Once an institution has evaluated a
particular military training or experiential learning opportunity
for a given program, the institution may rely on its prior
evaluation to make future decisions about awarding credit to Service
members with the same military training and experience
documentation, provided that the course content has not changed.
(3) If general policy permits, transfer credit or credit awarded
for prior learning may:
(a) Replace a required course within the major;
(b) Apply as an optional course within the major;
(c) Apply as a general elective;
(d) Apply as a basic degree requirement; or
(e) Waive a prerequisite.
(4) Disclose to Service members any academic residency
requirements pertaining to the student's program of study, including
total and any final year or final semester residency requirement at
or before the time the student enrolls in the program.
(5) Disclose basic information about the institution's programs
and costs, including tuition and other charges to the Service
member. This information will be made readily accessible without
requiring the Service member to disclose any personal or contact
information.
(6) Prior to enrollment, provide Service members with
information on institutional ``drop/add,'' withdrawal, and
readmission policies and procedures to include information on the
potential impact of military duties (such as unanticipated
deployments or mobilization, activation, and temporary duty
assignments) on the student's academic standing and financial
responsibilities. For example, a Service member's military duties
may require relocation to an area where he or she is unable to
maintain consistent computer connectivity with the institution,
which could have implications for the Service member's enrollment
status. This information will also include an explanation of the
institution's grievance policy and process.
(7) Conduct academic screening and competency testing; make
course placement based on student readiness.
4. TA Program Requirements for Educational Institutions
a. One Single Tuition Rate. All Service members attending the
same institution, at the same location, enrolled in the same course,
will be charged the same tuition rate without regard to their
Service component. This single tuition rate includes active duty
Service members and the National Guard and Reservists who are
activated under Title 10 and using Title 10 Military Tuition
Assistance, in order to assure that tuition rate distinctions are
not made based on the Service members' branches of Service.
(1) It is understood tuition rates may vary by mode of delivery
(traditional or online), at the differing degree levels and
programs, and residency designations (in-state or out-of-state).
Tuition rates may also vary based on full-time or part-time status,
daytime vs. evening classes, or matriculation date, such as in the
case of a guaranteed tuition program.
(2) It is also understood that some States have mandated State
rates for Guard and Reservists within the State. (Those Guard and
Reservists not activated on title 10, U.S. Code orders).
b. Course Enrollment Information. The educational institutions
will provide course enrollment, course withdrawal, course
cancellation, course completion or failure, grade, verification of
degree completion, and billing information to the TA issuing
Service's education office, as outlined in the Service's regulations
and instructions.
(1) Under section 1232g of title 20, United States Code (also
known as ``The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act'' and
hereinafter referred to as ``FERPA''), DoD recognizes that
institutions are required to obtain consent before sharing
personally identifiable non-directory information with a third
party. Service members must authorize the institutions to release
and forward course enrollment information required in 4.b. to DoD
prior to approval of course enrollment using tuition assistance.
(2) If an institution wants to ensure confidentiality during the
transmission of data to the third party, then the institution can
contact the appropriate Service TA management point of contact to
discuss security and confidentiality concerns prior to transmitting
information.
c. Degree Requirements and Evaluated Education Plans
(1) Institutions will disclose general degree requirements for
the Service member's educational program (education plan) to the
member and his or her Service prior to the enrollment of the Service
member at the institution. These requirements, typically articulated
in the institution's course catalog, should:
(a) Include the total number of credits needed for graduation.
(b) Divide the coursework students must complete in accordance
with institutional academic policies into general education,
required, and elective courses.
(c) Articulate any additional departmental or graduate academic
requirements, such as satisfying institutional and major field grade
point average requirements, a passing grade in any comprehensive
exams, or completion of a thesis or dissertation.
(2) In addition to providing degree requirements, the
institution will provide to Service members who have previous
coursework from other accredited institutions and relevant military
training and experiential learning an evaluated educational plan
that indicates how many, if any, transfer credits it intends to
award and how these will be applied toward the Service member's
educational program. The evaluated educational plan will be provided
within 60 days after the individual has selected a degree program
and all required official transcripts have been received.
(3) When a Service member changes his or her educational goal or
major at the attending school and the Services' education advisor
approves the change, then the institution will provide a new
evaluated educational plan to the Service member and the Service.
Only courses listed in the Service member's education plan will be
approved for TA.
(4) Degree requirements in effect at the time of each Service
member's enrollment will remain in effect for a period of at least
one year beyond the program's standard length, provided the Service
member is in good academic standing and has been continuously
enrolled or received an approved academic leave of absence.
Adjustments to degree requirements may be made as a result of formal
changes to academic policy pursuant to institutional or departmental
determination, provided that:
(a) They go into effect at least two years after affected
students have been notified; or
(b) In instances when courses or programs are no longer
available or changes have been mandated by a State or accrediting
body, the institution will work with affected Service members to
identify substitutions that would not hinder the student from
graduating in a timely manner.
(5) Prior to the enrollment of a Service member, the institution
must obtain the approval of the institution's accrediting agency for
a new course or program offering, provided such approval is
appropriate under the substantive change requirements of the
accrediting agency.
d. Approved and TA Eligible Courses.
(1) Approved Courses. If an eligible Service member decides to
use TA, educational institutions will enroll him or her only after
the TA is approved by the individual's Service. Service members will
be solely responsible for all tuition costs without this prior
approval. This requirement does not prohibit an educational
institution from pre-registering a Service member in a course in
order to secure a slot in the course. If a school enrolls the
Service member before the appropriate Service approves Military TA,
then the Service member could be responsible for the tuition. All
Military TA must be requested and approved prior to the start date
of the course. The Military TA is approved on a course-by-course
basis and only for the specific course(s) and class dates that a
Service member requests. If a military student ``self-identifies''
their eligibility and the Service has not approved the funding, then
the Service member will be solely responsible for all tuition costs,
not the Service.
(2) TA Eligible Courses. Courses will be considered eligible for
TA if they are:
[[Page 49397]]
(a) Part of an individual's evaluated educational plan; or
(b) Prerequisites for courses within the individual's evaluated
educational plan; or
(c) Required for acceptance into a higher-level degree program,
unless otherwise specified by Service regulations.
e. Use of Financial Aid with TA.
(1) ``Top-Up'' eligible active duty DoD personnel may use this
Montgomery or Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefit in conjunction with TA
funds from their Service to cover those course costs to the Service
member that exceed the amount of TA paid by his or her Service.
Reserve Component members who have paid for Chapter 30 G.I. Bill
benefits may use those benefits concurrently with TA. Reserve
Component members who have earned entitlement for the Post-9/11
G.I., Bill may combine VA benefits and TA as long as the combined
benefits do not total more than 100 percent of the actual costs of
tuition.
(2) DoD personnel are entitled to consideration for all forms of
financial aid that educational institutions make available to
students at their home campus. Educational institution financial aid
officers will provide information and application processes for
Title IV student aid programs, scholarships, fellowships, grants,
loans, etc., to DoD TA recipients.
(3) Service members identified as eligible DoD TA recipients,
who qualify for Pell Grants through the Department of Education's
student aid program, will have their TA benefits applied to their
educational institution's account prior to the application of their
Pell Grant funds to their account. Unlike TA funds, which are
tuition-restricted, Pell Grant funds are not tuition-restricted and
may be applied to other allowable charges on the account.
f. Administration of Tuition.
(1) The Services will provide TA in accordance with DoD- and
Service-appropriate regulations.
(2) TA will be limited to tuition and is refundable in
accordance with the institution's tuition refund policy.
Additionally, the following refund requirements must be met:
(a) Must be 100 percent refundable up until the start of the
course.
(b) The institution's policy for returning unearned TA funds for
Service members who stop attending due to Military service
obligations must be aligned with provisions in section 484B of Title
IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, and the Department of
Education regulations set out at 34 CFR 668.22.
(c) The institution's policy for returning unearned TA funds for
Service members who withdraw prior to the course completion must be
aligned with provisions in section 484B of Title IV of the Higher
Education Act of 1965, and with Department of Education regulations
set out at 34 CFR 668.22.
(3) Tuition charged to a Service member will in no case exceed
the rate charged to nonmilitary students, unless agreed upon in
writing by both the institution and the Service.
(4) Institutions will provide their tuition charges for each
degree program to the Services on an annual basis. Any changes in
the tuition charges will be provided to and justified to all the
Services, as soon as possible, but not fewer than 90 days prior to
implementation. If the MOU is with a single educational institution,
at a single location, with only one Service, the justification will
be provided to that Service, which will then provide that
information to the other Services.
(a) Tuition at many public institutions are established by
entities over which they have no jurisdiction, such as State
legislatures and boards. As such, in some instances tuition
decisions will not be made within the 90-day requirement window.
(b) When this happens, the institution should request a waiver
(via the DoD MOU Web page) and provide the Services with the new
tuition charges. This will ensure the correct rates are applied when
a Service member requests tuition to attend the State institution.
(5) Refunds of Government-funded TA will be paid in accordance
with the institution's published refund policy and will go to the
Service, not to the Service member.
(6) The institution will refund to the Service the total amount
of tuition paid for a course that is cancelled by the institution.
(7) TA invoicing information is located in the Service-specific
addendums attached to this MOU.
g. Course Cancellations. Institutions are responsible for
notifying Service members of class cancellations for both classroom
and DL courses.
h. Materials and Electronic Accessibility.
(1) Institutions will ensure that course materials are readily
available, either electronically or in print medium, and provide
information about where the student may obtain class materials at
the time of enrollment or registration.
(2) Institutional representatives will refrain from encouraging
or requiring students to purchase course materials prior to
confirmation of sufficient enrollments to conduct the class.
Students will be encouraged to verify course acceptance by CCAF (Air
Force only) or other program(s), with the installation education
advisor before enrolling or requesting TA.
(3) Institutions will provide, where available, electronic
access to their main administrative and academic center's library
materials, professional services, relevant periodicals, books, and
other academic reference and research resources in print or online
format that are appropriate or necessary to support the courses
offered. Additionally, institutions will ensure adequate print and
non-print media resources to support all courses being offered are
available at base or installation library facilities, on-site
Institution resource areas, or via electronic transmission.
i. Graduation Achievement Recognition.
(1) The educational institution will issue, at no cost to the
Government, documentation as proof of completion, such as a diploma
or certificate, to each student who completes the respective program
requirements and meets all financial obligations.
(2) In accordance with Service requirements, the institution
will provide the Service concerned with a list of those TA
recipients who have completed a certificate, diploma, or degree
program. The list will include the degree level, major, and program
requirements completion date.
(3) The academic credentials for certificate, diploma, or degree
completion should reflect the degree-granting institution and campus
authorized to confer the degree.
(a) If the Service member attends a branch of a large, multi-
branch university system, the diploma may indicate the credential of
the specific campus or branch of the institution from which the
student received his or her degree.
(b) Credentials will be awarded to Service members with the same
institutional designation as non-Service members who completed the
same course work for a degree from the same institution.
(4) The institution will provide students with the opportunity
to participate in a graduation ceremony.
j. Reporting Requirements and Performance Metrics.
(1) The institution will provide reports via electronic delivery
on all DoD TA recipients for programs and courses offered to
personnel as required by the cognizant Service. This includes, but
is not limited to, TA transactions, final course grades to include
incompletes and withdrawals, degrees awarded, certificates earned,
evaluated educational plans, courses offered, and military
graduation. Institutions providing face-to-face courses on a
military installation will provide a class roster to the
installation education advisor. The class roster will include
information such as the name of the instructor, the first and last
name of each student (military and non-military), the course title,
the class meeting day(s), the start and ending time of the class,
and the class location (e.g., building and room number).
(a) All reporting and transmitting of this information will be
done in conformity with all applicable privacy laws, including
FERPA.
(b) Institutions will respond to these requests in a timely
fashion, which will vary based on the specific nature and scope of
the information requested.
(2) The cognizant Service may evaluate the institution's overall
effectiveness in administering its academic program, courses, and
customer satisfaction to DoD. A written report of the findings will
be provided to the institution. The institution will have 90
calendar days to review the report, investigate if required, and
provide a written response to the findings.
(3) The Services may request reports from an institution at any
time, but not later than 2 years after termination of the MOU with
such institution. Responses to all requests for reports will be
provided within a reasonable period of time, and generally within 14
calendar days. Institutional response time will depend on the
specific information sought by the Services in the report.
5. Requirements and Responsibilities for the Delivery of On-
Installation Voluntary Education Programs and Services
a. The requirements in this section pertain to institutions
operating on a military installation.
[[Page 49398]]
An installation MOU:
(1) Is required if an institution is operating on a military
installation.
(2) Contains only the installation-unique requirements
coordinated by the installation's education advisor, with
concurrence from the appropriate Service voluntary education
representative, and approved by the installation commander.
(3) Cannot conflict with the DoD Voluntary Education Partnership
MOU and governing regulations.
b. Educational institutions will:
(1) Agree to have a separate installation MOU if they have a
Service agreement to provide on-installation courses or degree
programs.
(2) Comply with the installation-unique requirements in the
installation MOU.
(3) Agree to coordinate degree programs offered on the
installation with the installation's education advisor, who will
receive approval from the installation commander, prior to the
opening of classes for registration.
(4) Admit candidates to the institution's on-installation
programs at their discretion; however, priority for registration in
installation classes will be given in the following order:
(a) Service members.
(b) Federally funded DoD civilian employees.
(c) Eligible adult family members of Service members and DoD
civilian employees.
(d) Military retirees.
(e) Non-DoD personnel.
(5) Provide the installation's education advisor, as
appropriate, a tentative annual schedule of course offerings to
ensure that the educational needs of the military population on the
installation are met and to ensure no course or scheduling conflicts
with other on-installation programs.
(6) Provide instructors for their installation courses who meet
the criteria established by the institution to qualify for
employment as a faculty member on the main administrative and
academic center.
(7) Inform the installation education advisor about
cancellations for classroom-based classes on military installations
per the guidelines set forth in the separate installation MOU.
c. The Services' designated installation representative (usually
the installation education advisor), will be responsible for
determining the local voluntary education program needs for the
serviced military population and for selecting the off-duty
educational programs to be provided on the installation, in
accordance with the Services' policies. The Service, in conjunction
with the educational institution, will provide support services
essential to operating effective educational programs. All services
provided will be commensurate with the availability of resources
(personnel, funds, and equipment). This support includes:
(1) Classroom and office space, as available. The Service will
determine the adequacy of provided space.
(2) Repairs as required to maintain office and classroom space
in ``good condition'' as determined by the Service, and utility
services for the offices and classrooms of the institution located
on the installation (e.g., electricity, water, and heat).
(3) Standard office and classroom furnishings within available
resources. No specialized equipment will be provided.
(4) Janitorial services in accordance with installation facility
management policies and contracts.
d. The Service reserves the right to disapprove installation
access to any employee of the institution employed to carry out any
part of this MOU.
e. Operation of a privately owned vehicle by institution
employees on the installation will be governed by the installation's
policies.
f. The installation education advisor will check with his or her
Service's responsible office for voluntary education prior to
allowing an educational institution to enter into an MOU with the
installation.
6. Review, Modifications, Signatures, Effective Date, Expiration
Date, and Cancellation Provision.
a. Review. The signatories (or their successors) will review
this MOU periodically in coordination with the Services, but no less
than every five years to consider items such as current
accreditation status, updated program offerings, and program
delivery services.
b. Modifications. Modifications to this MOU will be in writing
and, except for those required due to a change in State or Federal
law, will be subject to approval by both of the signatories below,
or their successors.
c. Signatures. The authorized signatory for DoD shall be
designated by the USD(P&R). The authorized signatory for the
institution will be determined by the institution.
d. Effective Date. This MOU is effective on the date of the
later signature.
e. Expiration Date. This MOU will expire five years from the
effective date, unless terminated or updated prior to that date in
writing by DoD or the Institution.
f. Cancellation Provision. This MOU may be cancelled by either
DoD or the Institution 30 days after receipt of the written notice
from the cancelling party. In addition, termination and suspension
of an MOU with an institution may be done at any time for failure to
follow a term of this MOU or misconduct in accordance paragraphs
(a)(18)(i) through (a)(18)(iii) of Sec. 68.6.
For the Department of Defense:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Designated Signatory
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date
For the Institution:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
President or Designee
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date
Appendix B to Part 68--Addendum for Education Services Between [Name of
Educational Institution] and the U.S. Air Force (USAF)
1. Purpose. This addendum is between (Name of Educational
Institution), hereafter referred to as the ``Institution,'' and the
United States Air Force (USAF). The purpose of this agreement is to
provide guidelines and procedures for the delivery of educational
services to Service members, DoD civilian employees, eligible adult
family members, military retirees, and non-DoD personnel not covered
in the DoD Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) between the DoD Office of the Under Secretary of
Defense for Personnel and Readiness and the Institution. This
addendum is not to be construed in any way as giving rise to a
contractual obligation of the USAF to provide funds to the
Institution that would be contrary to Federal law.
2. Responsibilities.
a. USAF Education and Training Section (ETS) Chief. The USAF ETS
Chief will:
(1) Maintain a continuing liaison with the designated
Institution representative and be responsible for inspections and
the acceptance of the Institution's services. The ETS Chief will
assist the Institution representative to provide military and USAF
culture orientation to the Institution personnel.
(2) Review requests from Institutions with no on-installation
MOU for permission of installation access and space within the ETS
to counsel current students, provide information briefings and
materials, attend education fairs, and provide other informational
services approved by the installation commander. Approval depends on
the installation commander. Approval of any school eligible for
Military TA will be extended equally to all such schools; same time
allotment, space, and frequency.
(3) Assist the Institution or refer them to the information
technology contractor for training in the use of the Academic
Institution Portal (AI Portal) regarding input of Institution
information, degree offerings, tuition rates, grades, invoices,
degree completions, and search tools pre-built into the USAF online
Voluntary Education System.
b. Institutions will:
(1) Appoint and designate an Institution representative to
maintain a continuing liaison with the USAF ETS Chief.
(2) Provide general degree requirements to each airman for his
or her education program and the ETS as soon as he or she decides to
register with the Institution and while awaiting final evaluation of
transfer credits.
(3) Assume responsibility for the administration and proctoring
of all course examinations not normally administered and proctored
within the traditional, in-the-classroom setting.
(4) Provide to airmen, upon their request, information on
Institution policies including, but not limited to, course
withdrawal dates and penalties, course cancellation procedures,
course grade publication, billing practices, and policy regarding
incompletion of a course. Face-to-face counseling is not required.
(5) Register and use the AI Portal to input Institution basic
information, degree offerings, tuition rates, invoice submission,
course grades submission, degree completions, and to pull pre-
established educational institution reports while conducting
business with the USAF.
[[Page 49399]]
(6) Submit one consolidated invoice per term via the AI Portal
for each class in which active duty military airmen are enrolled
using Mil TA. Submission will be made during the term, no earlier
than after the final add/drop/census date, and no later than 30
calendar days after the end of the term.
(7) Submit course grades via the AI Portal for each class in
which active duty military airmen are enrolled using Mil TA.
Submission will be made no later than 30 calendar days after the end
of the term.
(8) Accept the Government Purchase Card (GPC) for payment of Mil
TA.
(9) Provide a list of program graduates via the AI Portal
consisting of student name, program title, program type (such as
bachelor's degree), and date of graduation no later than 30 calendar
days after the end of the term in which graduation requirements are
completed. If the AI Portal is not available, provide directly to
the base Education and Training Section.
c. Institutions with no on-installation MOU are authorized to
request permission for installation access and space within the ETS
to counsel current students, provide information briefings and
materials, attend education fairs, and other informational services.
Approval depends on the installation commander. If approval is
granted, then all other permissions will be authorized equally for
any school eligible for Military TA; the same time allotment, space,
and frequency.
d. All Institutions with an on-installation MOU or invitation
for an on-installation activity, such as an educational fair, are
authorized to counsel or provide information on any of their
programs.
3. Additional Guidelines
a. In addition to DoD policy outlined in the DoD MOU, the
authorization of Mil TA is further governed by Air Force Instruction
(AFI) 36-2306, as well as applicable policy and guidance.
b. Installation access of non-DoD and non-installation personnel
is at the discretion of the installation commander. Access once
provided can be revoked at any time due to military necessity or due
to conduct that violates installation rules or policies.
c. No off-base school will be given permanent space or scheduled
for regularly recurring time on-base for student counseling.
Appendix C to Part 68--Addendum for Education Services Between [Name of
Educational Institution] and the U.S. Army
1. Purpose. This addendum is between (Name of Educational
Institution), hereafter referred to as the ``Institution,'' and the
United States Army. The purpose of this agreement is to provide
guidelines and procedures for the delivery of educational services
to Service members, DoD civilian employees, eligible adult family
members, military retirees, and non-DoD personnel not covered in the
DoD Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding
between the DoD Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for
Personnel and Readiness and the Institution. This addendum is not to
be construed in any way as giving rise to a contractual obligation
of the U.S. Army to provide funds to the Institution that would be
contrary to Federal law.
2. Responsibilities.
a. Army Education Services Officer (ESO): In support of this
addendum, the Army ESO will maintain a continuing liaison with a
designated Institution representative and be responsible for
inspections and the acceptance of the Institution's services. The
ESO will provide assistance to the Institution representative to
provide military and Army culture orientation to the Institution
personnel.
b. Institutions. The Institution will:
(1) Appoint and designate an Institution representative to
maintain a continuing liaison with the Army ESO.
(2) Adopt the GoArmyEd processes. GoArmyEd is the Army
Continuing Education System (ACES) centralized and streamlined
management system for the Army's postsecondary voluntary education
programs. Existing MOUs or Memorandums of Agreement, Tri-Services
contracts, or other contracts that Institutions may have with
military installations and ACES remain in place and should be
supplemented with DoD Instruction 1322.25.
(3) Agree to all of the terms in the ACES policies and
procedures, available at https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/education/GoArmyEd_School_Instructions.html, such as: invoicing, grades,
reports, library references, etc. For non-Letter of Instruction
(LOI) institutions satisfying paragraph 3.f. of this DoD MOU, any
requirements in ACES policies and procedures requiring institutions
to be a member of SOC are hereby waived.
(4) Institutions currently participating with GoArmyEd as LOI
and non-LOI schools, may continue to do so at the discretion of
Headquarters, ACES. Non-LOI schools will be subject to the
requirements of paragraphs 2.b.(2) and 2.b.(3) of this DoD MOU only
to the extent that their existing non-LOI agreement with the U.S.
Army provides.
Appendix D to Part 68--Addendum for Education Services Between [Name of
Educational Institution] and the U.S. Marine Corps
1. Purpose. This addendum is between (Name of Educational
Institution), hereafter referred to as the ``Institution,'' and the
U.S. Marine Corps. The purpose of this agreement is to provide
guidelines and procedures for the delivery of educational services
to Service members, DoD civilian employees, eligible adult family
members, military retirees, and non-DoD personnel not covered in the
DoD Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding
between the DoD Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for
Personnel and Readiness and the Institution. This addendum is not to
be construed in any way as giving rise to a contractual obligation
of the U.S. Marine Corps to provide funds to the Institution that
would be contrary to Federal law.
2. Responsibilities.
a. Marine Corps Education Services Officer (ESO): In support of
this addendum, the Marine Corps ESO will maintain a continuing
liaison with a designated Institution representative and be
responsible for inspections and the acceptance of the Institution's
services. The ESO will provide assistance to the Institution
representative to provide military and Marine Corps culture
orientation to the Institution personnel.
b. Institution. The Institution will:
(1) Appoint and designate an Institution representative to
maintain a continuing liaison with the Marine Corps ESO.
(2) Provide open enrollment during a designated time periods in
courses conducted through media (e.g., portable media devices or
computer-aided). Those courses will be on an individual enrollment
basis.
(3) When operating on a Marine Corps installation, provide all
required equipment when the Institution provides instruction via
media.
(4) When operating on a Marine Corps installation, provide
library services to the Marine Corps base/installation for students
in the form of research and reference materials (e.g., books,
pamphlets, magazines) of similar quality to the support provided
students on the institution's home campus. Services will also
include research and reference material in sufficient quantity to
meet curriculum and program demands. Materials will be, at a
minimum, the required readings of the instructor(s) for a particular
course or program, or the ability for the student to request a copy
of such material, from the institution's main library, without any
inconvenience or charge to the student (e.g., a library computer
terminal that may allow students to order material and have it
mailed to their residence).
(5) Route publicity generated for an installation community
through the base ESO.
(6) Permit employment of off-duty military personnel or
Government civilian employees by the institution, provided such
employment does not conflict with the policies set forth in DoD
Regulation 5500.7-R. However, Government personnel employed in any
way in the administration of this addendum will be excluded from
such employment because of conflict of interest.
3. Billing Procedures, and Formal Grades.
a. Comply with wide area work flow process for invoicing tuition
assistance.
b. Grades will be submitted through the Navy College Management
Information System grade entry application.
c. Grade reports will be provided to the Naval Education and
Training Professional Development and Technology Center within 30
days of term ending or completion of the course, whichever is
earlier.
Appendix E to Part 68--Addendum for Education Services Between [Name of
Educational Institution] and the U.S. Navy
1. Purpose. This addendum is between (Name of Educational
Institution), hereafter referred to as the ``Institution,'' and the
U.S. Navy. The purpose of this agreement is to provide guidelines
and procedures for the delivery of educational services to Service
members, DoD civilian employees, eligible
[[Page 49400]]
adult family members, military retirees, and non-DoD personnel not
covered in the DoD Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) between the DoD Office of the Under Secretary of
Defense for Personnel and Readiness and the Institution. This
addendum is not to be construed in any way as giving rise to a
contractual obligation of the Department of the Navy to provide
funds to the academic Institution that would be contrary to Federal
law.
2. Responsibilities.
a. Commanding Officer responsible for execution of the Voluntary
Education Program. The commanding officer responsible for execution
of the voluntary education program will:
(1) Determine the local voluntary education program needs for
the Navy population to be served and recommend to the installation
commander the educational programs to be offered on the base;
(2) Administer this agreement and provide program management
support;
(3) Manage the Navy College Program Distance Learning
Partnership (NCPDLP) agreements.
b. Navy College Office (NCO): In support of this addendum, the
NCO will maintain a continuing liaison with the designated
Institution representative and be responsible for inspections and
the acceptance of the Institution's services. The NCO will provide
assistance to the Institution representative to provide military and
Navy culture orientation to the Institution personnel.
c. Institution. The Institution will:
(1) If a distance learning partner institution:
(i) Comply with NCPDLP agreements, if an institution
participates in NCPDLP.
(ii) Provide a link to the academic institution through the Navy
College Program Web site, only if designated as an NCPDLP school.
(iii) Display the academic Institution's advertising materials
(i.e., pamphlets, posters, and brochures) at all NCOs, only if
designated as an NCPDLP school.
(2) Appoint and designate an Institution representative to
maintain a continuing liaison with the NCO staff.
(3) Comply with wide area work flow processes for invoicing of
tuition assistance. Grades will be submitted to the Navy College
Management Information System grade entry application.
(4) Ensure library resource arrangements are in accordance with
the standards of the Institution's accrediting association and the
State regulatory agency having jurisdiction over the academic
Institution.
(5) Respond to email messages from students within a reasonable
period of time--generally within two workdays, unless extenuating
circumstances would justify additional time.
(6) Comply with host command procedures before starting
instructor-based courses on any Navy installation. The NCO will
negotiate a separate agreement with the academic Institution in
concert with the host command procedures.
(7) Mail an official transcript indicating degree completion, at
no cost to the sailor or the Government to: Center for Personal and
Professional Development, Attn: Virtual Education Center, 1905
Regulus Ave., Suite 234, Virginia Beach, VA 23461-2009.
Dated: August 9, 2013.
Aaron Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2013-19747 Filed 8-13-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P