The Department of Defense (DoD) spends over a billion dollars annually in support of its off-duty Voluntary Education Program. About one-third of the active force participates in these programs, earning thousands of Associate, Bachelors and Masters degrees from accredited colleges and universities each year. This makes DoD the largest continuing education program in the world.
The Military Services proactively support this program by providing their members with close to $600 million in tuition assistance annually.
Typically, courses are offered during evenings and on weekends at education centers located on military bases around the world. Service members also take courses off-base, onboard ships at sea, and online.
In addition, members are also offered fully-funded opportunities to enhance their basic academic skills, to earn a high school equivalency diploma or to take tests for college credit.
Tests for licensing, certification and college admission are also fully funded. Current intiatives include providing tuition assistance to fund coursework that contributes to development of language skills that support the National Strategic Language Initiative. Programs offered by installation education offices are available to civilian employees, retirees, and eligible family members on a space available basis.
