Title 14, Coast GuardRelease 119-110

§2904 Education and Training Opportunities for Coast Guard Spouses

Title 14 › SUBTITLE II — PERSONNEL › CHAPTER 29 — COAST GUARD FAMILY SUPPORT, CHILD CARE, AND HOUSING › SUBCHAPTER I — COAST GUARD FAMILIES › § 2904

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Commandant can provide tuition help, if funds are available, to eligible Coast Guard spouses so they can earn a U.S. accredited degree or credential, or take the schooling and get the license or credential a government licensing body requires for a job that improves employment and portable career options. Eligible spouse means the spouse of an active‑duty Coast Guard member, including spouses getting transitional pay under section 1059 of Title 10, but not someone legally separated by court or statute or someone eligible for tuition help as a service member. Portable career means a job that needs education or training that results in an industry‑recognized credential.

Full Legal Text

Title 14, §2904

Coast Guard, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Tuition Assistance.—
The Commandant may provide, subject to the availability of appropriations, tuition assistance to an eligible spouse to facilitate the acquisition of— (1)
(2)education prerequisites and a professional license or credential required, by a government or government-sanctioned licensing body, for an occupation that expands employment and portable career opportunities for the spouse.
(b)Definitions.—
In this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)Eligible spouse.—
(A)In general.—
The term “eligible spouse” means the spouse of a member of the Coast Guard who is serving on active duty and includes a spouse who receives transitional compensation under section 1059 of title 10.
(B)Exclusion.—
The term “eligible spouse” does not include an individual who—
(i)is married to, but legally separated from, a member of the Coast Guard under a court order or statute of any State or territorial possession of the United States; or
(ii)is eligible for tuition assistance as a member of the Armed Forces.
(2)Portable career.—
The term “portable career” includes an occupation that requires education, training, or both that results in a credential that is recognized by an industry, profession, or specific type of business.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 2904 was renumbered section 5104 of this title.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 116–283 substituted “an individual” for “a person” in introductory provisions. 2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 542 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Second Expansion of the My Career Advancement Account Program for Military Spouses Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title V, § 580G, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1410, provided that: “The spouse of a member of the Coast Guard may participate in the My Career Advancement Account program of the Department of Defense if the Coast Guard reimburses the Department of Defense.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

14 U.S.C. § 2904

Title 14, Coast Guard

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110