Hello, I am on the final step of enlisting. I need major advice because I do not understand how any of this works and the recruiters never give pinpoint answers.

Where I stand:

I am in my early 20's and have a BA in International Criminal Justice.

My Initial Goal:

To join USCGR so I can gain some kind of military experience (even if it's minimal)and partial or full financial aid towards a Masters.

The recruiters tell me the USCG will pay for my education but they never go into specifics about the programs and how they work.

Can I actually receive money for school right after I finish Basic Training or do I have to wait a certain period? How much money would I receive? How do I utilize the G.I. Bill, is it only activated at the completion of my service?

Also, they told me Reserve does not get the same amount for education and that it is better to go active duty because you receive more benefits and that basically after four years ill come out with an education that I want without any loans etc.

Thank You for any information you may provide.

If you Google Coast Guard Tuition Assistance you can find this, everything you ever wanted to know about TA.

http://www.uscg.mil/hr/cgi/cfa/ta.asp

Ok thanks for the link, very helpful information but not very clear to me.

So basically as Reserve I will be paid 329 per month as a Full time student.

My tuition is just over $5000 a semester if I take two classes. I am not sure if that is full time. But anyhow, GIB will only cover about $1300 for a semester (4 months) so I will have to come up with the rest (approx. $3700) every semester?

The New GI Bill states I will receive about $3700 per term in my state (NY). The school and program are on the list. However I am not eligible for this because I must be activated for a minimum amount of 36 months to receive the maximum allowance?

Please help me, I am debating if it is worth enlisting reserve at all as opposed to active when it comes down to education money.

Thank you all

I believe as a reserve you get paid for your drills. No drill no pay.

GI Bill info you need to go the VA Web site www.va.gov

Enlist reserve or regular. Thats up to you

If you go regular school is mostly one or 2 classes a semester if the work schedule permits. Of course after your enlistment is up you do get the benefit of that full time GI bill.

Enlisting is up to you and what your life goals are.

Thanks for your input. However I was trying to get a breakdown on Tuition Assistance with my real life example. I really appreciate anyone's help.

You should call your local Education Service Officer(ESO), they should be able to answer all of your questions. Ask your recuiter for a phone number of the closest one to you.

you are mixing TA with GI Bill, that is why I gave you both links.

From what I researched, as Reserve I wont be able to us the GI BILL because of no active duty time. However, I can use TA just as active duty members.

quote:

My tuition is just over $5000 a semester if I take two classes. I am not sure if that is full time.

Wow - this hit me as interesting. Not sure if two classes are full time are ya?

Anyways, figure out if you want to commit yourself to serve your country. If the answer is yes, then you'll be taught what the benifit programs are.

USCG first, education second!

Keep in mind that your rating is may also effect what kind of education you can attain. I am an Operations Specialist and am forced to take all classes online because of an irregular schedule. In addition to this, connectivity on cutters is not always the best, so even with online classes it can be challenging.
Regardless of what educational path and rating you choose, your primary objective after boot camp should be getting qualified and getting rated because that is going to help your shipmates and your unit the most. Following that, then should check into school getting back into school.
Asides from tuition assistance, there are other avenues to get money like SEG grants (only works for under grad courses), CG Foundation Grants, and the Vander Puten Grant. Realistically, if you take 1 class at a time, you shouldn't have to dip into the GI Bill because with TA and the other grants listed you should be covered for most everything including books and supplies. Plus, you get the veterans preferance should you get out and you get the sense of pride from knowing that you served your country and worked to achieve a goal/mission that is bigger then anything you could do as an individual.

All the college credits I earned in the CG at various colleges were worthless in obtaining my Nursing degree. So called life experience credit you hear about - Zilch. Be carefull if getting credits from different schools.

I am applying to graduate level medical programs and have had no problems with them accepting my credits. The easiest way to solve this is ask the schools you plan on applying to if they accept those credits prior to taking any necessary prereqs. I took Anatomy and Physiology 1/2 and Microbiology w/labs online and they are being accepted at several med schools. Generally if it is an accredited school (including online community colleges) they are more then happy to accept your courses.

I guess I wasn't specific enough, in the case of science and math your probably right. My school East Carolina University and it's probably all the schools here in NC whether it's Duke or the local community college will not accept science credits that are more than five years old. During my CG career I accumalated around 16 or so credits, classes such as American History, English, economics etc...thinking they would benefit me at some point, at least cover some elective classes - well refer to my first post. I'm speaking more to that career person taking classes here and there over a period of time, be carefull. If possible stick to one school or really research credit compatibility if you dont. Good luck in your medical career. You will always have a job.
P.S. And tons of paperwork/redtape!