FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) ON TUITION ASSISTANCE (TA)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) ON SMART

GENERAL INFORMATION
REQUESTING TRANSCRIPTS
WHAT'S ON THE SMART
USING SMART CREDIT RECOMMENDATIONS AT A COLLEGE
ERRORS/OMISSIONS ON SMART
BENEFITS/IMPORTANCE OF SMART
TECH PREP QUESTIONS ON SMART

Navy: All active duty and reserve Sailors (enlisted and officer) and those
who separated or retired from active duty on or after 1 January 1975 are eligible.

Marines: All active duty and reserve Marines (enlisted and officer) and those who
separated or retired from active duty on or after 1 January 1990 are eligible.

Eligible personnel should be able to register via the SMART Web site (https://smart.cnet.navy.mil) and have a transcript generated on-line. Eligible personnel who cannot access their transcript on-line may fax a "certified to be true" copy/notarized copy of their DD214 to (850) 452-1281. A Fax copy can only be accepted when sent from a Navy College Office or Marine Corps Education Center. Certified/notarized documents may also be mailed to the Navy College Center.

To provide recommended college credit for military occupational experience and training. The recommendations are made by the American Council on Education (ACE), which publishes a reference entitled Guide to the Evaluation of Learning Experiences in the Armed Services, used by colleges and universities around the country. The ACE Guide is available on-line at http://www.militaryguides.acenet.edu.

Naval Education and Training Professional Development and Technology Center (NETPDTC) in Pensacola, Florida.

Toll free DSN: 922-1828 or 1-877-253-7122, COM: (850) 452-1828.  FAX DSN: 922-1281 or COM: 850-452-1281. The e-mail address is: ncc@smtp.cnet.navy.mil.  The web site address is https://www.navycollege.navy.mil.  The hours are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Central Standard Time), 7 days a week, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, and July 4th).

5.  HOW DO I REQUEST A SMART?

INDIVIDUAL SMART - An unofficial, personal copy to review for degree planning purposes.

• Go to the Web site https://smart.cnet.navy.mil to print your individual (unofficial ) transcript.

OFFICIAL SMART - The official copy is sent directly to the college or
university you designate. Academic institutions will not accept transcripts
directly from the service member. To order:

• Complete a SMART Request Form. Obtain the form from this Web
  site by clicking here or go to https://smart.cnet.navy.mil. If you are unable
  to access these sites you may obtain it from your local Navy College
  Office or Marine Corps Lifelong Learning Center.
  
• Mail or fax the form to the address/fax number on the form.
  The transcript will be ordered and mailed to the institution(s)
  designated OR
  
• Submit the form in person or by fax to your local Navy
  College Office or Marine Corps Lifelong Learning Center, which
  will order the official SMART to be mailed to the institution(s)
  designated.

No.

There is no charge to the individual.

Transcripts are mailed on the next business day after they are ordered. Some institutes/universities have elected to receive official transcripts on-line via the Web. These institutes have the transcripts available for viewing on the next business day after they are ordered.

9.   WHAT IS ON THE SMART?

a.  American Council on Education (ACE) credit recommendations for

• Military occupations held - ratings, Military Occupational Specialties
  (MOSs), certain Navy Enlisted Classifications (NECs), and Limited Duty
  Officer/Chief Warrant Officer (LDO/CWO) specialties.  
• Military training courses completed 
• College-level examinations taken at a military testing site (CLEP, DSSTs,
  Excelsior Examinations, DLPT)
  
  

b. Other Learning Experiences - military courses taken for which there are no matching ACE credit recommendations and the reason why.. You may see a number of NETg and SkillSoft courses in OLE. While NETg and SkillSoft courses are or have been available on Navy E-Learning and Navy Knowledge Online websites for servicemembers, ACE does not award credit until a proctored final exam has been completed.

Addendums to SMART:

a. Summary Transcript - a streamlined overview of all the credits ACE
recommends in a format that closely resembles many college transcripts

b. Academic Institution Page – lists:

• College courses taken on active duty through Tuition Assistance (TA) or the Navy College Program for Afloat College Education (NCPACE) or from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF).
• College courses completed while on active duty, which were not funded by TA or NC PACE. These include courses funded by the GI Bill, paid for by the service member, or funded by other sources.
• College courses completed prior to active duty.
• Degrees and certifications completed prior to and during active duty.

College courses, degrees, and certifications completed while on active duty, and college courses, degrees and certifications completed prior to active duty will not appear automatically. Here is how to add these to SMART:

For active duty:

1. Contact your Navy College Office (NCO) or Marine Corps Education Center. Let them know you want to update your SMART. Tell them you will be asking your school to send their office an official transcript.

2. Request an official transcript be sent from your school to your NCO/Marine Corps Education Center. Once the NCO/Marine Corps Education Center receives the transcript, they will enter the completed degree into SMART, or fax it to the Navy College Center (NCC), which will update your SMART to include all courses taken before active duty.

3. For Certifications, provide a notarized/certified to be true copy to your NCO or Marine Corps Education Center. Once they receive the Certification, they will fax it to the NCC. The NCC will update your SMART.

For retired/separated members not close to a NCO or Marine Corps Education Center:

1. Contact the NCC toll free at 1-877-253-7122. Let NCC know you want to add courses completed prior to active to your SMART. Tell them you will be asking your school to send their office an official transcript. Request an official transcript be sent from your school to:

Commanding Officer
NETPDTC N27
6490 Saufley Field Road
Pensacola, FL 32509-5204


2. For Certifications, mail a certified to be true copy/notarized copy to the NCC at the above address. Provide a cover letter requesting NCC update your SMART. Provide your Name, SSN, and contact information.

This addendum to the SMART, called Academic Institution Page, is to assist you and your academic advisor in degree planning.  The official record of college courses you' ve taken resides with the academic institution attended.

Yes, if that information has been recorded in the official course database that the Navy and Marine Corps maintain.

•  The course and occupational information is extracted from the official personnel and training databases of the Navy and Marine Corps using the individual's social security number. 

•  The recommended credit is extracted directly from a database provided by the American Council on Education (ACE). 

Yes.   SMART receives frequent updates from ACE to ensure the most current data.

NAVY:

The Navy course data (taken from a database called NITRAS) goes back to 1972.  However, data before 1985 is less comprehensive than data from 1985 to the present.

Navy rating information on SMART, taken from the Master Data File, is comprehensive; however, some historical data may still not be shown.  The older the data, the greater the chance something could be missing.  Current Navy rating information is extracted from the Master Data File; historical rating information is taken from a database called VMET (Verification of Military Education and Training.)

For procedures on correcting information, click here to go to the Navy Correction Procedures and Information.

MARINE CORPS:

Course attendance dates are not available for courses taken prior to 1994.  Therefore, resident courses prior to 1994 may appear in the "Other Learning Experiences section of the SMART".  Credit may be awarded by providing documentation of the attendance dates to the evaluating academic institution.

Prior to 1997, the Marine Corps Total Force System (MCTFS) was limited to 10 formal school completions.  Marines with more than 10, during that time, will be missing entries.  Those entries above the 10 course limit were not captured in the file.  The field is now larger, so with proper documentation, Marines can have the missing courses run into their record through the unit diary system.

Prior to April 1999, there was no assignment date for MOSs in the Marine Corps Total Force System.  With proper documentation, the date of MOS award can now be run into MCTFS.

Levels of training for Marines are not captured electronically. Therefore to
determine the level of training completed (I-IV), service members must provide an
official copy of their Individual Duty Area Qualification Summary extract from the
MATMEP. The Qualifications Summary indicates the level of training completed
and the date of completion.

For procedures on correcting information, click here to go to the Marine Corps Correction Sheet.

BOTH SERVICES:

DANTES data (CLEPs, DSSTs, etc.) goes back to 1975; if taken before 1975 or taken at other than a military test center, the data will never be displayed.  If the test was fairly recent, it may not yet appear.

Tuition Assistance (TA) data goes back to 1989 for Navy; however, data before 1991 may be incomplete.  TA data for Marines is available from 1994 to present.

Navy College Program for Afloat College Education (NCPACE) data goes back to 1989. However, data before 1994 may be incomplete.

15.  DO ALL COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES ACCEPT THE CREDIT RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE SMART?

Academic institutions establish their own policies on transfer credit.  The amount of credit awarded will depend on your school's policy and your degree program.  Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges Navy (SOCNAV) and Marine Corps (SOCMAR) have agreed to accept military experiences for credit toward a degree.  Contact your local Navy College Office or Marine Corps Education Center for more information.

Yes, the content and format of SMART are comparable to AARTs.

Yes, you can obtain an individual, unofficial copy by going to the Web site
https://smart.cnet.navy.mil. There you can register on-line, bring up your transcript
and simply print to your printer or view on-line. If you are unable to access the site
follow the procedures outlined in FAQ Question #5 (above).

Yes.  Military training that's been evaluated by ACE can be accepted by a college either before or after you've separated from active duty.

It is free credit in most cases.  However, a few colleges charge a transcripting fee.  For more information, contact the academic institution for its policy or your local Navy College Office or Marine Corps Education Center.

20.  WHOM DO I CONTACT IF THERE ARE ERRORS OR OMISSIONS ON THE SMART?

There are links from this site and from https://smart.cnet.navy.mil that outline steps
to take if corrections, additions or deletions are needed. Simply click on the Correction
Procedures tags on either Web site. IT IS THE SERVICE MEMBER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO
INITIATE THE ACTION NECESSARY FOR HIS/HER SMART TO BE CORRECTED.

NAVY: For Sailors who entered active duty before 1 April 1979, the credit recommendation
reads “ Credit may be granted on the basis of an individualized assessment of the student.
Completion of basic and recruit training prior to 1 April 1979 may be considered for meeting
lower division semester hour requirements in personal fitness/conditioning, personal/
community health, first aid and safety.”

MARINES: Who entered the service before 1 December 1976, the credit recommendation reads
“Credit may be granted on the basis of an individualized assessment of the student. Completion
of basic and recruit training prior to 1 December 1976 may be considered for meeting lower
division semester hours requirements in personal health/hygiene, outdoor skills practicum,
personal conditioning/fitness and first aid.”

Yes.  If your course data needs to be changed due to improper database entry at the Navy schoolhouse, provide a copy of your course completion certificate or page 4 from your service record to the Navy College Center in Pensacola.  PSD must stamp "Certified as a True Copy" and sign the course certificate or page 4 before you submit it.   For further details, click here.

Keep in mind the name of the training activity where you took the course may have changed its name.  If the command's UIC remained the same, the SMART will list the latest command name.

10 to 15 working days after receipt of paperwork.

For Navy members, rank displayed is rank received from Master Data File at Navy Personnel Command (NPC).  Until a rank is officially in the MDF, it does not display.  A Sailor can wear his rank long before he/she receives the pay and it's changed at Navy Personnel Command.

If the Master Data File has not been updated, contact your PSD or Personnel and Administrative Office to have corrections made and sent to Navy Personnel Command.

25.   WHAT ARE THE PRIMARY BENEFITS OF SMART?

• The SMART will assist academic institutions in awarding credit for military occupational
  experience and training.
  
• By receiving credit for military experience, you may reduce your tuition expenses and
  complete your degree program more quickly.
  
• SMART will be continuously updated.
  
• One of the SMART addendums, the Summary Transcript, contains Service members
  Opportunity Colleges (SOC) course category codes, which will help academic institution
  counselors determine where the credit will apply into established degree programs at
  SOC institutions.

• It assists you in receiving more credit for military learning experiences. 
• It's a key tool for you and your education counselor to use in degree planning. 
• It's an incentive for you to pursue voluntary education. 

27. I ENTERED THE NAVY THROUGH TECH PREP; HOW DO I GET CREDIT FOR MY
NAVY OCCUPATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING SENT BACK TO MY COLLEGE AT
HOME?

Follow the procedures for requesting an official transcript outline in FAQ Question #5.

28. WHERE DO I GO FOR INFORMATION/GUIDANCE ON STARTING MY BACHELOR'S
DEGREE?

Contact your local Navy College Office for information about resident and
distance learning course work that will help you obtain your bachelor's degree.

 TUITION ASSISTANCE

1. WHAT ARE MY TUITION ASSISTANCE (TA) BENEFITS?

Per NAVADMIN 349/02, effective 01 October 2002 the Navy will fund 100% of tuition and fees (max of $250 per semester hour) for up to 12 semester hours per fiscal year. The $250 per semester hour (or semester hour equivalent) payment applies only to tuition and fees related to course enrollment. It does not apply to books or other expenses. The 12 semester hour limit (per fiscal year) applies to all pay grades.

2. IS THIS A REDUCTION IN BENEFITS FROM LAST YEAR?

The new Tuition Assistance benefits are improved from previous years. Instead of paying only 75% of tuition costs, the new program now pays 100% of tuition and fees (up to $250 per semester hour). In previous years, the majority of TA program participants completed less than 12 semester hours of course work, so the new program is a marked improvement for most of our Sailors. The remaining participants who choose take more than 12 semester hours in a given year will also have increased benefits for the first 12 semester hours. However, they will not be able to continue using TA benefits for any additional hours and are encouraged to pursue various other programs for which they may be qualified, including NCPACE (if deployed), GI Bill, DANTES, CLEP, etc..

3. IF THERE IS A 12 SH YEARLY LIMIT, IS THERE ALSO A YEARLY DOLLAR CAP?

No, Navy does not have a yearly dollar cap, only a Semester Hour (or equivalent) limitation.

4. WHAT ABOUT SERVICE MEMBERS WHO APPLIED FOR TA PRIOR TO THIS NAVADMIN AND ONLY RECEIVED 75% TA? WILL THEY BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REMAINING 25%?

All Navy pay grades are eligible to receive 100% Tuition Assistance. Those who received 75% TA during the early October time frame will receive refunds of tuition money they spent up to the $250 cap per semester hour.

5. HOW WILL THEY RECEIVE THEIR REIMBURSEMENT?

ANSWER: Navy personnel should contact their local Navy College Office to receive a corrected TA voucher that may be taken to their academic institution for reimbursement.

6. THE ARMY, AIR FORCE AND MARINE CORPS ARE ALLOWING THEIR SERVICE MEMBERS TO USE THE $4,500 YEARLY ENTITLEMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH DOD POLICY. WHY HAS THE NAVY CHOSEN TO LIMIT BENEFITS?

We can not speak for the other Services. The Navy is providing a robust Tuition Assistance program for our Sailors, and has programmed more funds than in previous years for this important program. Resource limitations prevent further expansion of the program, and the current plan will support more Sailors at a higher benefit level than in years past. The 12 semester hour limit fairly distributes this benefit to the most participants possible.

7. CAN I USE MY MONTGOMERY GI BILL (MGIB) BENEFITS?

Yes. MGIB benefits can be used in two ways. First, MGIB can be used to fund coursework beyond the 12 semester hour limit supported by Tuition Assistance. Furthermore, if a class costs more than the new cap of $250 per semester hour, eligible personnel can apply MGIB "Top Up" to cover the difference. "Top Up" will only pay for tuition, not fees or books. Contact your local Navy College Office for more information.

8. HOW ELSE CAN I GET MORE COLLEGE CREDIT WITHOUT USING TUITION ASSISTANCE?

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and DANTES Standard Subject Tests (DSST) are excellent ways to earn college credit (free of charge) by all service members. Additionally, the NCPACE program is available for Sailors at sea. Contact your local Navy College Office for more information.

9. THE DOD MEMO IN NOVEMBER 2001 PUBLICIZED 100% TA AND A $4,500 ANNUAL ENTITLEMENT FOR ALL SERVICE MEMBERS. WHY IS THE NAVY POLICY DIFFERENT FROM DOD?

The DoD memo is a recommendation. It can be found on the web at http://voled.doded.mil . The DoD memo indicates each service will provide specific guidance. At the time the DoD memo was published, specific Navy guidance had not yet been developed. Although program funding has been significantly increased over years past, the Navy has a limited amount of resources to support Tuition Assistance in FY-03. However, with our TA program funding increase, we will be able to support more participants than in prior years, with increased benefits.

10. IF NAVY PERSONNEL USE FEWER THAN 12 SEMESTER HOURS IN FY-03, WILL THEIR ELIGIBILITY CARRY TO THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR?

No. TA funding will not carry over from one FY to the next.

11. WHAT ABOUT VOCATIONAL, CONTINUING EDUCATION, AND NON-COLLEGE CREDIT COURSES?

These courses are also covered under the new policy. Contact your local Navy College Office for details.

12. WHY WAS THE NAVY TA POLICY PROMULGATED SO LATE?

Navy officials worked hard to evaluate all possible options for providing the best Tuition Assistance program possible. Many options were considered before agreeing on increased program funding to support an increased number of program participants with a 12 semester hour limit. The Navy is strongly committed to providing a broad range of programs supporting individual growth and development for all Sailors while accomplishing our ongoing wartime mission.

13. WILL THERE BE WAIVERS TO THIS POLICY?

Waivers will be considered in compelling circumstances and should be submitted through your chain of command. Waiver package requirements are addressed in NAVADMIN 349/02. Commander, Naval Education and Training Command is the waiver approval authority. Submit Waiver Packages to:

Commander
Naval Education and Training Command
Educational Programs Bldg 628
250 Dallas Street
Pensacola, FL 32509-5220

Waivers may also be faxed to:

DSN 922-2510 or Commercial 850-452-2510

14. WHETHER I MAIL OR FAX MY WAIVER PACKAGE, IS THERE A WAY I CAN CONFIRM MY WAIVER PACKAGE HAS BEEN RECEIVED BY NETC?

Yes, you may confirm NETC has received your Waiver Package by sending an email to this website. Address your email to: NCC@cnet.navy.mil. Title the Subject line of your email: TA WAIVER RECEIPT CONFIRMATION.

15. IS THERE A SPECIFIC FORMAT I SHOULD USE WHEN PREPARING MY WAIVER PACKAGE?

No, just include as much pertinent information as you can. The suggestions made in the NAVADMIN and this website should be considered to be the minimum information needed when requesting a waiver. Include your PRD, the cost of the courses you want to take, your CLEP/DANTES tests passed, and the ACE recommended credit you are receiving for your military schools and occupation that you are using toward your degree. Include your SMART transcript in your package as this is a handy summary for NETC to review. Most important, make sure your CO is able to describe why your situation is exceptional. Why does your case stand out as one that is different to the extent that you should receive more TA in an environment where money is scarce.

16. WHAT IF I HAVE USED SOME OF MY YEARLY ALLOTTED SEMESTER HOURS AND NEED TO ENROLL IN A COURSE THAT WILL EXCEED MY TOTAL OF 12 SEMESTER HOURS? FOR EXAMPLE: I HAVE USED 9 SH AND WANT TO ENROLL IN A 4 SH COURSE. WILL I BE ABLE TO USE TA FOR 3 OF THE 4 HOURS?

Yes, go ahead and complete the TA Application (NAVMC 10883). Indicate the correct number of credit hours you plan to take. Present the TA Application to your Navy College Office and they will process a TA Authorization Voucher for the remaining hours for which you are eligible.