33 U.S.C. § 3079 Student Pre-Commissioning Education Assistance Program

• Library: United States Statutes
• Edition: 2023 Edition
• Currency: Current through P.L. 118-19 (published on www.congress.gov on 10/06/2023)
• Citation: 33 U.S.C. § 3079

(a) Authority to provide financial assistance

For the purpose of maintaining adequate numbers of officers of the commissioned officer corps of the Administration on active duty, the Secretary may provide financial assistance to a person described in subsection (b) for expenses of the person while the person is pursuing on a full-time basis at an accredited educational institution (as determined by the Secretary of Education) a program of education approved by the Secretary that leads to-

(1) a baccalaureate degree in not more than five academic years; or

(2) a postbaccalaureate degree.

(b) Eligible persons

(1) In general

A person is eligible to obtain financial assistance under subsection (a) if the person-

(A) is enrolled on a full-time basis in a program of education referred to in subsection (a) at any educational institution described in such subsection;

(B) meets all of the requirements for acceptance into the commissioned officer corps of the Administration except for the completion of a baccalaureate degree; and

(C) enters into a written agreement with the Secretary described in paragraph (2).

(2) Agreement

A written agreement referred to in paragraph (1)(C) is an agreement between the person and the Secretary in which the person-

(A) agrees to accept an appointment as an officer, if tendered; and

(B) upon completion of the person's educational program, agrees to serve on active duty, immediately after appointment, for-

(i) up to three years if the person received less than three years of assistance; and

(ii) up to five years if the person received at least three years of assistance.

(c) Qualifying expenses

Expenses for which financial assistance may be provided under subsection (a) are the following:

(1) Tuition and fees charged by the educational institution involved.

(2) The cost of educational materials.

(3) In the case of a program of education leading to a baccalaureate degree, laboratory expenses.

(4) Such other expenses as the Secretary considers appropriate.

(d) Limitation on amount

The Secretary shall prescribe the amount of financial assistance provided to a person under subsection (a), which may not exceed the amount specified in section 2173(e)(2) of title 10, for each year of obligated service that a person agrees to serve in an agreement described in subsection (b)(2).

(e) Duration of assistance

Financial assistance may be provided to a person under subsection (a) for not more than five consecutive academic years.