UNCLASSIFIED// ROUTINE R 281919Z SEP 21 MID200001165331U FM CNO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS NAVADMIN 214/21 PASS TO OFFICE CODES: FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/SEP// SUBJ/TUITION ASSISTANCE POLICY UPDATE// REF/A/DOC/OPNAV N1/4MAR08// REF/B/DOC/NETC/20JAN11// REF/C/MSG/CNO WASHINGTON DC/211408ZMAY19// REF/D/MSG/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/061757ZJAN21 REF/E/DOC/COMNAVPERSCOM/11APR21// NARR/REF A IS OPNAVINST 1560.9A, VOLUNTARY EDUCATION (VOLED) FOR NAVY SAILORS. REF B IS NETCINST 1560.3, NAVY VOLUNTARY EDUCATION PROGRAMS. REF C IS NAVADMIN 114/19, TUITION ASSISTANCE POLICY UPDATE. REF D IS ALNAV 004/21, TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM UPDATES. REF E IS MILPERSMAN ARTICLE 1160-040, EXTENSION OF ENLISTMENTS. RMKS/1. This NAVADMIN announces changes in Tuition Assistance (TA) and Navy College Program for Afloat College Education (NCPACE) policy in references (a) through (c). 2. In line with reference (d), the annual cap on TA and NCPACE is increased to 18 semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours) per fiscal year, effective 1 October 2021. 3. We are committed to ensuring fully-qualified Sailors can take advantage of this increased education opportunity in a manner that reinforces our commitment to professionalism, warfighting, readiness and retention. Operational readiness remains our top priority. As always, commanding officers may establish benchmark qualifications for Sailors and officers under their command, and manage off-duty education pursuit, based on current or anticipated operational commitments. 4. The following management controls are effective for TA and NCPACE courses command approved after the release of this NAVADMIN: a. In addition to being recommended for retention and promotion, all enlisted Sailors and officers must receive individual trait marks of 3.0 or greater on their most recent observed performance evaluation or fitness report. b. The wait time following non-judicial punishment (NJP) or court martial is increased from 6 to 12 months. c. Officers, with the exception of limited duty officers (LDO) and chief warrant officers (CWO), become eligible upon promotion to O-3. d. The minimum time in service requirement increases from two to three years. There is no *grandfather* clause. Sailors who began using TA or NCPACE at two years, but have not yet reached three years, must wait until the three year mark to continue. e. Enlisted Sailors with less than 16 years of service must have at least 12 months remaining from the course start date until their end of active obligated service (EAOS) or as extended. Reservists on active duty (AD) orders must have 12 months remaining from the course start date until the end date of AD orders. Contract extensions for AD Sailors are authorized subject to eligibility criteria in reference (e). Sailors selected for LDO or CWO, and selective reenlistment bonus eligible Sailors with approved Career Waypoints in-rate quotas may request a waiver of the 12-month requirement using issue tracker as described in paragraph 7. f. Sailors may only take two funded courses per fiscal quarter determined by start date. g. Vouchers for command-approved requests will be funded no more than 30 days prior to the course start date. h. Command approving officials must verify all existing and updated policies have been met prior to authorizing TA or NCPACE. 5. Academic degrees are only one tool to enhance Sailors personal and professional development. Civilian certifications offered through Navy Credentialing Opportunities Online (COOL) and United Services Military Apprenticeship Program should be stacked with academic degrees to create a well-rounded portfolio. Sailors can find relevant credentials on their Learning and Development Roadmap (LaDR), and the Navy COOL website. The MilGears, powered by the Navy COOL website, allows Sailors to search the LaDR recommended credentials in the *Quick Explorer* tool or receive customized career path recommendations based on their unique training, education and experience by using the *Engage My Career* tool. For more information regarding MilGears, Sailors can visit the following site by going to MyNavy Portal at https://my.navy.mil/quick-links.html, select *Navy Cool* and then *MilGears*. 6. Sailors who wish to pursue other education funding options, to include GI Bill benefits, are encouraged to contact the Navy College Virtual Education Center (NCVEC) to speak with a counselor. 7. For questions regarding eligibility, degree plans or other education funding options, contact the NCVEC at 1-877-838-1659. Beginning 1 October 2021, NCVEC telephone assistance will be available exclusively through MyNavy Career Center by calling 1-833-330-MNCC (6622). Using the phone menu options, choose *Education and Training*, then *NCVEC*. Additionally, Sailors may submit an inquiry via the issue tracker feature in MyNavy Education, located on the top right of their record. 8. For questions concerning TA or NCPACE policy, contact Mr. Jim Johnson at (703)604-5256/DSN 664 or james.p.johnson.civ(at)us.navy.mil. 9. This NAVADMIN will remain in effect until superseded or canceled, whichever occurs first. 10. Released by Vice Admiral John B. Nowell, Jr, N1.// BT #0001 NNNN UNCLASSIFIED//