WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF SMART? 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
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO GET A SMART?
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.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.
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.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.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.
HOW MUCH DOES A SMART COST? There is no charge to the individual.
The VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program is a jobs program not a education program. Make sure when you are applying that you explain the reasons why a degree in your field is needed to get the job you are looking for.
You can have a job currently and still get this benefit. You just need to explain why you need to get this training or degree. For example, you can explain that I cannot move up in the company unless I get a degree or it's a requirement.
I won't put all the information about this program here. The VA's website has the information on it's education page. I will continue to add information that will help you ensure that you get the benefits you've earned.
If you wish to know the status of your claim for GI Bill benefits, call 1-888-GI BILL 1
New education benefit for Activated Reservists: There is a new education benefit available to certain reservists who were activated for at least 90 days after September 11, 2001. We call this benefit the “Reserve Educational Assistance Program” (REAP) or Chapter 1607.
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA)
Section 301 of Public Law 109-461 adds a new category to the definition of “eligible person” for DEA benefits . The new category includes the spouse or child of a person who: * VA determines has a service-connected permanent and total disability; and * at the time of VA's determination is a member of the Armed Forces who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient medical care, services, or treatment; and * is likely to be discharged or released from service for this service-connected disability. Persons eligible under this new provision may be eligible for DEA benefits effective December 23, 2006, the effective date of the law.
DEA provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service related condition. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. If you are a spouse, you may take a correspondence course. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.