Marines Upset by Slashed Tuition Assistance

The U.S. Marine Corps drastically cut what it will pay for Marines to take classes, and some Marines say that's a big hit to morale.

Three active-duty Marines spoke to News4 on condition of anonymity for fear of getting in trouble with the corps.  They’re upset about a recent change to a tuition assistance program used to further their education while serving the country.

The Department of Defense allows enlisted soldiers of all branches to spend $3,500 a year for their education. But according to the Marine Corps website, starting Oct. 1, the Marine Corps cut that figure to $875, “which would only allow Marines to take one class a year,” a Marine said.

“One of the reasons that I personally joined the Marine Corps was for education,” a Marine said. “Right now, I can tell you off the spot the morale just isn’t high. This really is a big hit for all enlisted ranks.”

This is different from the Montgomery GI Bill, which entitles enlisted soldiers a monthly education stipend after completing the minimum required service.

“The Marine Corps said that they had polled the Marines and that they only attend one class per year. I can tell you right now that personally, I attend four classes per year and am a full-time Marine, so that’s definitely not true, and I don’t know where they go their numbers from.”

“I feel blindsided, definitely feel blindsided because we never got any word of no survey, how it was conducted, how it looks like, when it was sent out, never got an email, phone call, anything.”

These Marines said this new rule will force them to delay their education or dip into their Montgomery GI Bill assistance early -- something they hoped to use to further their education or for their family after getting out of the service.

“Honestly, a lot of Marines are going to start getting out, transferring over to the other services, maybe getting out entirely and getting a civilian job.”

“We feel like we’re being targeted. Why the Marines, when we’re the first to fight, we’re the first to be out there making the ultimate sacrifice, for the country, for our family, for our freedom? It just isn’t fair.”

News4 sent email and made phone calls to the Marine Corps but has not heard back.