Glossary

Army/American Council on Education (ACE) Registry Transcript System (AARTS) - AARTS is the Army's transcript service used to track and document a Soldier's or veteran's military coursework and training.  These transcripts can be obtained by Soldiers or veterans at no cost and sent to accredited universities and colleges for use in getting college credit for their military experiences.

Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) - CCAF is the largest multi-campus community college in the world.  CCAF is an accredited institution that provides transcript services to Air Force personnel as well as Associate's degrees in applied science.

Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) - DANTES supports the off-duty voluntary education programs of DoD by helping eligible Service members and their families pursue their education goals.  DANTES provides programs and services in certification, counselor support, distance learning, and examinations, and manages the tuition assistance reimbursement program.

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - VA partners with DoD to provide education programs for Service members who have separated from the military.  VA consists of several departments, including the Veterans Benefits Administration which administers the education programs.

Distance education - The delivery of education or training through electronically mediated instruction, including satellite, video, audio-graphic, computer, and multimedia technology, and other forms of learning at a distance, such as correspondence courses and independent study.

Education Services Office/Education Center - Offices located on military installations where eligible personnel can receive educational assistance and information.

Education loan - Financial aid provided to students for the purpose of attending a college or university.  Students are required to repay the cost of the loan with interest.

Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) - A federally funded program administered by the VA. Eligible Service members receive a maximum of thirty-six months of MGIB benefits for full-time study. Payments are prorated for part-time study.  The VA offers two versions of the MGIB, one for active duty Service members and one for Selected Reserve Service members.

MGIB "Kicker" - An MGIB "kicker" is an additional amount of money that may be offered by individual branches of Service that increases the basic MGIB monthly benefit.

Off-duty time - Time spent when Service members are not scheduled to perform official duties.

Programs for Afloat College Education (PACE) - PACE offers Sailors at sea the opportunity to continue their college studies.  PACE is free for the Sailor (the only cost is for books) and offers courses taught by civilian instructors aboard the ship or access to college classes using computer technology.

Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) - REAP is a veterans' education benefit program that provides educational assistance to members of the Reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency.

Scholarships and grants - Financial aid awarded to a student.  Financial aid from scholarships and grants generally does not have to be repaid, as long as the student meets the qualifying requirements.

Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) - SOC is a network of colleges and universities that has partnered with DoD to meet the educational needs of the mobile military.  SOC has designated five individual degree networks: SOCAD (Army), SOCNAV (Navy), SOCMAR (Marine Corps), SOCCOAST (Coast Guard), and SOCGUARD (National Guard).

Sailor/Marine/ACE Transcript System (SMARTS) - SMARTS is the Navy and Marine Corps transcript service used to track and document a Sailor's, Marine's, or veteran's military coursework and training.  These transcripts can be obtained by the Sailor, Marine, or veteran at no cost and sent to accredited universities and colleges for use in getting college credit for their military experiences.

Tuition - A fee charged for instruction, especially at academic institutions of higher learning, such as colleges and universities. 

Tuition Assistance (TA) - Money provided to eligible personnel to cover (or help cover) the cost of tuition at academic institutions. Tuition assistance is an entitlement for military personnel and does not have to be repaid to the government as long as the Service member does not receive a failing or incomplete grade or withdraw from the course.

Tuition Assistance (TA) top-up - TA top-up is money the VA pays to cover tuition costs not covered by the individual branches of Service TA programs.

Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) - VEAP is available if a Service member elected to make contributions to the program from military pay. Benefits may be used for degree, certificate, correspondence, apprenticeship/on-the-job training programs, and vocational flight training programs. In certain circumstances, benefits for remedial, deficiency, and refresher training may also be available.

Voluntary Education Programs - Continuing, adult, or post-secondary education programs pursued by Service members during their off-duty time.