Student Financial Aid

CLASS FUNDING

Tuition Reimbursement through Employer
Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
Dislocated workers
Bill Me Later
Military Tuition Assistance (TA)
Post 9/11 GI Bill
Montgomery GI Bill

CIVILIAN

Tuition Reimbursement through Employer
Your employer may offer a tuition reimbursement benefit through its human resources department. Most participating employers will reimburse its employees for college tuition and the cost of books. In addition, the employee may be eligible for a tax exemption of up to $5,000 annually.

Employers may place certain restrictions on the benefit – the course work must be pertinent to the job, students must maintain a certain grade point average, and/or the student must remain with the company for a designated number of years after graduation. Students may not need to complete a full degree program to take advantage of company reimbursement plans. Often they can arrange to take just a few courses for professional development. Check with your employer for specific details.

Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 was designed to improve the quality of the workforce, enhance productivity and competitiveness, and to reduce welfare dependency. Eligibility is based on three categories of individuals: Adults, Dislocated Workers, and Youth. Adults are any individuals over 18 years of age who may not fit the criteria for other categories.

Dislocated workers are individuals who become unemployed and are eligible to receive Unemployment Compensation or have established an attachment to the labor market. Also included in the Dislocated Worker category are displaced homemakers. Individuals who are employed but need services to obtain or retain employment, which leads to self-sufficiency, may be eligible for assistance. Youth services participants are individuals from 14 years to 21 years of age, who are low income and face one or more of the specified barriers.

Explorer’s Guide Maritime Training is approved as an eligible training provider through the Bay Area Workforce Development Board (ID # 674-001). Those who qualify for WIA programs can now receive the necessary education for a merchant mariner’s license (Captain’s license) to get back into the workforce. Displaced workers and other adults affected by lay-offs or business closings in the economic downturn now have a chance to get their Captain’s license and a new start in an exciting career field. The Wisconsin approval also permits people in other areas of the country to work with their local workforce development boards and case workers to determine if they qualify for this job retraining opportunity.

Bill Me Later -

Bill Me Later is an open-end credit plan offered by WebBank in Salt Lake City, Utah. It allows users to pay for items (including tuition) without using a credit card. After customers open their accounts (including credit check), Bill Me Later asks customers at every purchase to fill out the last 4 digits of their social security number and their date of birth. The approved customer can then pay the bill by mail (check) or online (via bank account) at www.billmelater.com. The first time customers are emailed a link to register with billmelater.com - so that they can check their balances or pay their bill. Customers also get an email whenever they are declined.

MILITARY/VETERAN

Tuition Assistance (TA)
Tuition Assistance is a military benefit that pays the cost of tuition and some fees. Virtually all military service members are eligible. However, each branch of the military determines its criteria for eligibility. Courses must be part of a college degree program in order to be eligible. Tuition Assistance covers up to 100% of tuition and fees not to exceed: $250 per Semester Credit Hour, id="mce_marker"66 per Quarter Credit Hour, $4,500 per Fiscal Year. U.S. Navy has a 16 Credit Hour Annual Limit.

Post 9/11 GI Bill
The Post 9/11 GI Bill provides up to 36 months (4 regular school years) of education benefits to eligible service members and veterans for: college, business, technical or vocational courses, correspondence courses, apprenticeship or job training, or flight training. Active duty service members, Guard, and Reserve, as well as Veterans who have served at least 90 days on active duty since 09/10/2001 are eligible. Benefits include paid tuition and fees, housing stipend, and book stipend. Benefits are tiered based on the number of days on active duty. Some limitations apply to those currently on active duty. Benefits can be transferred to a spouse or family member.Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty and Veteran.

The Montgomery GI Bill provides up to 36 months (4 regular school years) of education benefits to eligible service members and veterans for: college, business, technical or vocational courses, correspondence courses, apprenticeship or job training, or flight training. Active duty service members who have served at least two years on active duty are eligible. For Veterans, there are four categories of Veteran eligibility depending on when you enlisted and how long you have served on active duty. Benefits include up to id="mce_marker",368 per month for full-time institutional education. Benefits end 10 years from the date of your last discharge or release from active duty.Other Funding Sources Available to Active Duty Service Members and Veterans

In addition to the above sources of funding for the military, each branch of the service may provide opportunities for additional funding through specific programs. Please contact your ESO for further information.