Veterans Benefits

Military Tuition Assistance is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Congress has given each service the ability to pay up to 100% for the tuition expenses of its members. Tuition Assistance (TA) is a Department of Defense (DoD) program. VA does not administer TA and rules may vary by branch of service. For more information regarding criteria for eligibility, visit www.militay.com. 

Prior to enrollment, Service members must work with their Educational Services Officer (ESO), or Military Service Counselor to receive appropriate approval. Once received, please visit your Military Service’s education portal to apply for TA. 

Guidelines on Recruitment Related to Department of Defense

Admissions Counselors, as with all Otero employees, adhere to policies, regulations, and guidelines from the Department of Defense (DoD). Admissions Counselors must be aware of and follow all rules related to recruitment, marketing, and advertising as written by the DoD.

Per the DoD Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), paragraph 3.j:

• Otero employees are banned from offering any inducements or other items having a monetary value of more than a de minimis [insignificant amount] to any individual for the purpose of securing enrollments of Service members or obtaining access to Tuition Assistance Funds.
• Educational institution sponsored scholarships or grants and tuition reductions available to military students are permissible. 
• Any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting, admission activities, or making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance are not allowed to receive commissions, bonuses, or other incentive payment. 
• Additionally, Otero must refrain from high-pressure recruitment tactics such as making multiple unsolicited contacts (3 or more) by phone, email, or in-person, and engaging in same-day recruitment and registration for the purpose of securing Service member enrollments.

Retention of Records

1. An educational institution must keep records and accounts pertaining to each period of enrollment of a veteran, reservist, or eligible person.  If those records are not available electronically, the paper records must be kept intact and in good condition at the educational institution for at least three years following the end of each enrollment period.  If the records are stored electronically, they must be easily accessible at the educational institution for at least three years following the end of each enrollment period.
2. An organization offering a licensing or certification test must keep records and accounts intact and in good condition that are needed to show that veterans and eligible persons have been paid correctly for taking licensing or certification tests.  The organization must keep those records for at least three years following the date of the test.
3. An educational institution will not be required to retain records for longer than three years unless the educational institution receives from the Government Accountability Office of VA not later than 30 days before the end of the 3-year period a written request for longer retention.