R 271902Z AUG 25 MARADMIN 404/25 MSGID/GENADMIN/CG MCRC QUANTICO VA// SUBJ/INTERIM GUIDANCE TO IMPLEMENT CHANGES TO THE MARINE CORPS TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (MCTAP)// REF/A/MSGID:DOC/CONGRESS// REF/B/MSGID:DOC/MCO 1560.33// NARR/REF A IS TITLE 10 UNITED STATES CODE, SECTION 16401,  MARINE CORPS PLATOON LEADERS CLASS: COLLEGE TUITION ASSISTANCE  PROGRAM. REF B IS MCO 1560.33, MARINE CORPS TUITION  ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (MCTAP).// POC/C. A. LUCAS/CAPT/MCRC OSJA/TEL: (571)559-4525// POC/J. M. SCANDRETT/CWO3/MCRC G-3/TEL: (571)559-4346// POC/D. A. BURKE/SSGT/MCRC G-3/TEL: (571)559-4596// POC/Y. Y. LOPEZ/SGT/MCRC G-3/TEL: (571)559-4650// POC/L. M. JEFFERSON/CIV/MCRC G-3/TEL: (571)559-4544// POC/OFFICER APPOINTMENTS/EMAIL:// [email protected]// GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Purpose. This MARADMIN provides interim guidance to implement amendments made to Reference (a) while pending forthcoming changes to Reference (b) in order to execute the MCTAP in accordance with the most current statutory authority. 2. Background. The MCTAP was created in 1999 as a recruiting incentive designed to encourage college students to consider the Platoon Leaders Class (PLC) Program early in their collegiate  careers. Reference (a) gives the Marine Corps the authority to implement the MCTAP. Reference (b) was published on 4 May 2000 and has not been updated since its original publication. Significant changes to Reference (a) were made in the Fiscal Year (FY) 25 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which require updates to the MCTAP to be promulgated. 3. Maximum Allocation and Payment Amount. 3.a. The FY25 NDAA published changes to Reference (a) which allow for up to 450 once-trained members of the PLC program to receive tuition assistance payments of up to $13,800.00 per academic year. Eligible members may receive reimbursements for verified qualifying expenses for up to three consecutive years. MCTAP funds are available for the purpose of obtaining a baccalaureate degree or juris doctor (or equivalent) degree. The maximum amount that a member may receive is $41,400.00 over a period of three consecutive years. 4. Eligibility. All eligibility requirements and qualifications remain the same as those listed in Reference (b), except those specifically outlined below.  4.a. Age Requirements. None. There is no age limitation associated with eligibility for the MCTAP for a member pursuing either a baccalaureate or juris doctor (JD) degree. 5. Implementation. The FY25 NDAA was signed into law by POTUS on 23 December 2024. Thus, the statutory changes to Reference (a) which increased the amount of financial assistance to $13,800.00 per academic year and limited the number of allocations for the program to 450 were not enacted until mid-way through the academic school year for 2024-2025. As such, the start date for implementation of these changes will be effective 23 December 2024.  5.a. Transition Period. To account for the timing of changes to Reference (a), all members of the PLC program who met the eligibility requirements outlined in Reference (b), as updated by this MARADMIN, as of 23 December 2024 will be able to retroactively apply for enrollment in the MCTAP for academic year 2024-2025. Requests must be received by the Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruiting Command, by 30 September 2025. 5.a.1. PLC Members who did not enroll in the MCTAP for Academic Year 2024-2025. Initial application requests must be received by 30 September 2025 to enroll in the MCTAP for academic year 2024-2025 and receive reimbursement for covered expenses up to $13,800.00.  5.a.2. PLC Members who did enroll in the MCTAP for Academic Year 2024-2025. Supplemental application requests must be received by 30 September 2025 for covered expenses that were not previously reimbursed due to prior limitations. The total amount of reimbursed expenses for academic year 2024-2025 shall not exceed $13,800.00, accounting for the previously reimbursed amount. 6. Application Procedures. All application procedures for enrollment in the MCTAP remain the same as those listed in Reference (b), except those specifically outlined below.  6.a. Application Timelines. 6.a.1. Academic Year 2024-2025. As outlined above in paragraphs 5-5.a.2., all initial and supplemental MCTAP enrollment requests for academic year 2024-2025 must be received by the Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruiting Command, Code OA (CG MCRC (OA)) by 30 September 2025. 6.a.2. Academic Year 2025-2026 and onward. All initial and subsequent MCTAP requests must be received by CG MCRC (OA) by 31 December of the academic year. For those individuals who did not enroll in the first semester/quarter, all requests must be received by CG MCRC (OA) by 31 May to apply for enrollment in the second semester/quarter. 7. Longevity Credit and Pay Entry Base Date (PEBD). The longevity credit and PEBD considerations outlined in Reference (b) remain unchanged. 8. Command and Signal. 8.a. This message is applicable to members of the Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Class Program. 8.b. An updated Marine Corps Order will be released to codify these changes and replace Reference (b).  8.c. Refer to the POC information at the beginning of this MARADMIN for questions. For email correspondence, use the organizational mailbox: [email protected]. 8.d. This message is effective upon release. 9. Release authorized by Lieutenant General William J. Bowers,  Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruiting Command.//