APRIL 8, 2015, PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) – A path to providing senior enlisted personnel with advanced education opportunities was announced April 6 via Naval Administrative Message (NAVADMIN) 079/15; the call for applications for the FY-15 Advanced Education Voucher (AEV) program.
The AEV program offers post-secondary, Navy-relevant education at the baccalaureate and master’s level and provides financial assistance to chief, senior chief and master chief petty officers.
Master Chief Electronics Technician (EXW/FPJ) Richard Simpson, Enlisted Education Program coordinator for the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), praised the benefits this program offers.
“For senior enlisted members interested in or pursuing advanced education in Navy-approved areas of study, the AEV program is an outstanding resource,” said Simpson. “AEV offers the opportunity for accelerated degree completion as it pays for 100 percent of tuition, books and fees up to a specified limit. Sailors currently on or transferring to shore duty and those at sea whose duty assignment will allow for degree completion during off-duty time are encouraged to apply.”
Examples of approved, Navy-relevant degrees include: strategic foreign languages, construction management, security management, emergency and disaster management, human resources, engineering, information technology, nursing, and business administration, among others. Degree programs other than those specifically listed by the NAVADMIN must be validated by the AEV program coordinator at NETC.
Financial assistance for baccalaureate degrees covers 100 percent of tuition, books, and related fees up to $6,700 per year for a maximum of three years with the total program cost capped at $20,000. For master’s degrees, it provides 100 percent of tuition, books, and related fees up to $20,000 per year for a maximum of two years with the total program cost capped at $40,000.
Master Chief Information Systems Technician David Campbell (IDW/SW/AW) senior enlisted advisor for the Naval Network Warfare Command in Suffolk, Virginia, is using the AEV program to get a degree in business administration with a specialty in technology management.
“The more professional knowledge I can bring to the command, the more I can share that knowledge and empower my Sailors to be more professional and technically savvy,” said Campbell. “Chiefs who qualify and are driven to better themselves and in turn give back to the Navy should apply. I often ask myself why I didn’t apply for AEV sooner.”
Eligible applicants include E-7’s with no more than 17 years time in service (TIS), E-8’s with no more than 19 years TIS, and E-9’s with no more than 23 years TIS. TIS is computed to Oct. 1, 2015.
At a minimum, baccalaureate program applicants must have an associate’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning or the equivalent amount of college credits already earned. Master’s program applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning.
AEV is available to personnel transferring to, or currently on shore duty with sufficient time ashore to complete the degree program. Prospective applicants on sea duty may still apply if they provide an education plan that shows their ability to complete the program as specified in the NAVADMIN. Selectees are expected to enroll in the fall 2015 term.
If an applicant is already invested in furthering their education through TA or other financial assistance programs, they may still apply for AEV. However, AEV and TA benefits may not be combined, nor may AEV be used to earn more than one degree at a time. Lower division or prerequisite courses may be authorized if they are part of the approved education plan.
A service obligation of three times the number of months of education completed or three years, whichever is less, is incurred upon completion of or withdraw from the AEV program. This obligation is discharged concurrently with any other service obligation the participant may have already incurred. Use of AEV does not obligate the Navy to retain a member on active duty.
Applications for AEV are currently being accepted by NETC (N523). The deadline for submission for the FY-15 program is May 22 and the selection board will convene in June 2015. An endorsement by both the applicant’s commanding officer and command master chief must be included in the application.
Application details, format and more information can be found at the Navy College website: https://www.navycollege.navy.mil/aev/aev_home.aspx.
For more information contact Master Chief Richard Simpson, NETC N523, at (850)-452-7268 (DSN 459) or email at Richard.l.simpson@navy.mil.