§2904 — Title 14 Coast Guard | U.S. Code

Summary

The Commandant can give tuition help, when money is available, to an eligible Coast Guard spouse. The money can pay for schooling at an accredited U.S. college, university, or technical school that leads to a degree or credential and improves job and career options. It can also pay for required courses and the professional license or credential a government licensing body requires for a job that improves those career opportunities. An eligible spouse is a spouse of an active‑duty Coast Guard member (including a spouse getting transitional compensation under section 1059 of title 10), but not someone legally separated by court order or state law or someone who can get tuition help as a service member. A portable career is a job that needs education or training that gives a credential recognized by an industry or profession.

Title 14, §2904

Coast Guard — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Commandant may provide, subject to the availability of appropriations, tuition assistance to an eligible spouse to facilitate the acquisition of—

(1)education and training required for a degree or credential at an accredited college, university, or technical school in the United States that expands employment and portable career opportunities for the spouse; or

(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)In this section, the following definitions apply:

(1)(A)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)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)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.

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.”

§2904 Education and Training Opportunities for Coast Guard Spouses