You don’t have to put college on hold while you pursue a career in the Navy. In fact, much of your on-the-job training and experience can directly translate to college credit. It’s a win-win, as you get paid to work toward your degree while serving your country.
From NROTC, to the Post-9/11 GI Bill there are a variety of ways to fund your education while you serve. For more information and to find out if you can qualify for some of these programs, contact a Navy recruiter.
The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) is a scholarship program that provides full tuition, stipends, summer training cruises and more so you can enjoy a traditional college experience while preparing to serve as a Naval Officer.
Learn more about the Navy ROTC scholarship program, participating schools, requirements, degree path options, how to apply and other details.
Designed to assist current college students, the Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program (BDCP) not only helps you pay for your degree, books, rent and food but also provides full-time Officer pay and benefits while in college and a guaranteed job upon graduation.
The BDCP welcomes a wide range of applicants—from civilians to enlisted Navy Reserve Sailors and those inactive in other branches. To apply, you must:
To find out more about Navy’s Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program, its requirements and additional benefits, connect with a recruiter today.
If you are interested in pursuing important civil engineering projects around the world, consider the Civil Engineer Collegiate Program. It provides:
There will be no uniforms, no drilling requirements and no service obligation until you graduate. From there, you’ll begin the process of being commissioned as a Navy Civil Engineer Corps Officer. Learn more about Civil Engineering career opportunities in the Navy.
If you are interested in becoming a nurse in a global health care network that promotes patient-focused care and humanitarian work, look into the NCP program. It offers up to $34,000 to help pay your way through nursing school, which includes an initial grant of $10,000, plus a monthly stipend of $1,000 for up to 24 months while earning your degree.
Similar to CECP, there are no service obligations until after you graduate. From there, you’ll begin the process of being commissioned as a Navy Nurse Corps Officer. Learn more about Nursing career opportunities in the Navy.
If you are interested in being part of one of the top nuclear programs in the world, look into the NUPOC program. In the Navy’s challenging Nuclear Propulsion training program, you can:
There are no service obligations until after you graduate and begin the process of being commissioned as a Navy Nuclear Officer. This highly competitive program equips you with the skills to be successful within any of the following career fields. Explore the training, requirements, benefits and more of each below:
The USNCC is the official community college of the Navy and Marine Corps, and it provides fully-funded associate degrees without using TA benefits or GI Bill benefits.
Sailors are eligible to enroll as soon as they report to their first command; they do not need to wait to hit the 3-year service mark, as with TA. Additionally, each 100% online and asynchronous degree program includes an embedded Naval Studies Certificate which provides a comprehensive, naval-relevant overview of the Maritime Services to our students.
This fully-funded program covers the costs of tuition, course materials, and course fees. The USNCC is a SECNAV-funded program under the umbrella of the DON.
If you're interested in earning a college degree while you serve, the Navy offers two options:
Both programs are available to Enlisted Sailors and Officers, but they are typically geared toward Enlisted servicemembers who do not yet have a college degree. For more information, go to the Navy College Program site.
For Navy servicemembers, veterans and their families, paying for a college education is easier than ever thanks to the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which:
To be eligible, you need:
The Montgomery GI Bill — Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) program may be available to members of the Selected Reserve. It provides:
The Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) is available to Navy Reserve Sailors who complete a minimum of 90 days of Active Duty service in response to a war or national emergency.
The Loan Repayment Program helps Sailors pay off student loan debt. To be eligible, your loan cannot be in default and you must be serving in your first enlistment. This program is available to Enlisted servicemembers serving in eligible Navy ratings/programs.
In addition to the LRP, Sailors may be eligible for additional incentives and benefits. Connect with a recruiter for more information.
Comprised of more than 1,200 colleges and universities nationwide, the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) Program allows you to pursue college and university independent study courses. The DANTES Program allows servicemembers to transfer credits from school to school and receive college credits for military training and experience.
Sailors have the opportunity to take free College Level Examination Program. Along with credit from service schools and work experience, these nationally recognized tests can provide a convenient way for members to earn college credit toward an associate degree.
The Department of Defense offers a wide range of STEM opportunities for undergraduate and other students. Explore the links below to learn more about how the DoD can help advance your career:
