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MECEP FAQ
18. How do I pay for tuition at The Citadel?
As a MECEP at The Citadel you have several different options when considering
how you would like to pay for tuition.
The first method is to pay out-of-pocket.
This option is realistic; as the new 50% tuition cut allows a Marine to save the GI Bill (which can be later converted to the Post 9-11 and transfered to a dependant).
The second method to pay for tuition is using the
Montgomery G.I. Bill. As long as a Marine has not used any of their eligibility
before attending The Citadel, he/she should have 36 months of eligibility
remaining upon arriving at The Citadel, which will cover approximately 3½ years.
Keep in mind that a Marine will also use up eligibility during the summer
sessions.
If interested, the first step in acquiring VA funds is to fill out the
Application for VA Education Benefits Form 22-1990. Once the form is filled out,
it must be signed by your current Commanding Officer or the Marine Officer
Instructor at The Citadel. The final step is to carry the form to the Financial
Aid office at The Citadel or mail to:
The Financial Aid Office
The Citadel
171 Moultrie Street
Charleston, SC 29409
Once the form is processed it will be up to the individual Marine to verify his
enrollment monthly using the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE)
website located at http://www.gibill.va.gov
An important consideration when choosing to use the Montgomery G.I. Bill is that
as an active-duty Marine, you will not be eligible to receive the full amount
normally awarded. The reason being is that the VA only authorizes the exact
amount necessary to cover tuition and related expenses, not including books. For
example, the normal entitlement for a student using the G.I. Bill would be
$1,200.00 per month (or ± $5000.00 per semester) while enrolled for 12 or more
hours. However, because the tuition at The Citadel is only ± $3,500.00 per
semester each Marine will receive a pro-rated amount each month not to exceed
$3,500.00 per semester.
For additional information concerning the G.I. Bill please contact Mrs. Sally
Levitt of The Citadel Financial Aid Office at (843) 953-5187.
The third method to pay for tuition at The Citadel
is to apply for federal student loans. This option is widely chosen by many
MECEP participants for a couple of reasons. First, due to The Citadel’s tuition
payment policies, each student, including MECEP’s must pay their tuition bill in
full prior to the first day of the semester they wish to attend. For the Fall
semester, the bill is normally due in July and for the spring semester it is due
in mid-December. Federal loans completely alleviate the need to adhere to the
due dates since your payment has already been guaranteed by the federal
government. Also, because the VA benefits are pro-rated, you will not receive
the full amount for tuition until the final month of the semester. The second
reason loans are chosen is because of the cost of books. Depending upon a
student’s course load, the cost of books can sometimes exceed $500.00 per
semester. Finally, federal loans have such low interest rates (currently 2-4%),
which makes it much less intimidating to borrow the money.
An important consideration when choosing to apply for loans is that not all
loans are the same, there are subsidized and unsubsidized loans. The basic
difference being that as long as the student is enrolled at least half time the
federal government will pay the interest charges accrued on the subsidized
loans. If you choose the unsubsidized loan be aware that the student is
responsible for paying any and all interest charges while enrolled at The
Citadel.
The best way to learn more about federal student loans is to visit the U.S.
Department of Education’s, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
website at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov If you decide that loans are your best option,
complete the FAFSA found at the above website and keep in close contact with The
Citadel’s Financial Aid Office to ensure it was received.
The final method to pay for tuition expenses at The Citadel is scholarships.
Though most scholarships applicable to MECEP participants will not cover all the
expenses they are certainly a great help and are widely used in collaboration
with the G.I. Bill and student loans. The most commonly used scholarship is the
Admiral Boorda Scholarship offered through the Navy/Marine Corps Relief Society.
For more information regarding scholarships contact your local education center
for lists of scholarships that may apply to you.
In an effort to help you make the right choice the current cost of attending The
Citadel as a MECEP student is approximately $3,500.00 per semester or $7,000.00
a year. In addition to the normal fall and spring semester cost, a MECEP
participant is also responsible for tuition for the Summer session which amounts
to approximately $700.00 per class.
Important Numbers:
The Citadel Financial Aid Office: (843) 953-5187
The Citadel Treasurer’s Office: (843) 953-5254
The Citadel Office of Admissions: (843) 953-5230
Marine Officer Instructor: Captain Rickrode (843) 953-5208
Assistant Marine Officer Instructor: GySgt Carmon (843) 953-5175
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