How long before a course starts do I have to apply for tuition assistance?
You should request TA early enough so that you will receive your authorization before you have to register for your course(s). Since the Institute can’t guarantee your request will be processed in a specific amount of time, you should submit your request as early as possible (up to three months before a course begins). PLAN AHEAD!!! TA is not a tuition reimbursement program; the money is paid directly to the school. The authorization you receive, after you’ve submitted your application, is a voucher the school presents to the Coast Guard for payment. You should submit that authorization to the school at the time you pay for your course (usually when you register). Some schools will accept that the Coast Guard is good for the money, and will let you register without paying. But you’ll need to discuss the situation with the school to see if it’ll work with you. Some options you can propose to the school are: • payment with a credit card, with the promise the school will refund the charge
