Ensuring that service members have readily available opportunities to pursue a postsecondary education is just one of the many ways that the Department of Defense (DoD) works to improve the quality of life for service members and families. DoD knows that beginning or completing undergraduate or graduate coursework is a high priority for service members.

To protect the interests of service members and to facilitate the achievement of their educational goals, DoD has established a new policy, effective Jan. 1, 2012, under which all schools participating in the Tuition Assistance (TA) Program must have a signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Department. Schools will begin the process of signing the MOU this month.

The TA Program is the principal vehicle for helping service members afford the costs of participating in college programs and courses. The program covers online distance learning and traditional classroom instruction at the undergraduate level and for many graduate level degrees.

The MOU outlines the commitments and agreements between an educational institution and the DoD. Under the MOU, educational institutions must agree to one single tuition rate that will apply to all service members, regardless of branch of Service. It also requires that schools be accredited by an agency recognized by the Department of Education, abide by DoD and the Military Services' regulatory guidance on voluntary education, and adhere to the principles and criteria established by the Servicemembers' Opportunity Colleges.

Schools must agree to provide timely course enrollment, withdrawal and cancellation information, and grades, as well as an evaluated education plan outlining the courses needed for a degree. They must also participate in a periodic third-party review to ensure the quality of education provided to service members using TA.

Military students receiving TA will be able to use the MOU website to see which schools have signed the MOU. If service members have a concern about an institution that has signed an MOU, they can submit their concern or complaint to DoD. More information is available through the MOU website and through the MOU press release.

DoD remains committed to offering comprehensive, lifelong learning opportunities for service members. This MOU represents that commitment and the DoD's focus on protecting and fostering service members' educational goals.