Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program
Get up to $18,000 each year in salary, plus full medical and dental benefits while you complete your college degree as a full-time student with the Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program (BDCP). If you are elgible, VAJoe.com can help you find schools where you can use the Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program.
How It Works
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The Navy will pay you as an enlisted active duty sailor in pay grade E-3. This equals up to $18,000 each year and full medical and dental benefits.
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While receiving your wages and benefits, you must go to school full time to complete your degree—you are responsible for paying your own tuition, books and fees.
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Technical majors such as math, science or engineering are given preferential status, but most majors are accepted into the program.
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While in school you are required to:
- Maintain at least a 2.7 GPA
- Report your grades to the Navy Recruiting Command after each semester or quarter.
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Complete your approved degree plan.
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Technical majors can earn more money in the BDCP—up to $27,000 each year.
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Nontechnical majors must complete their degrees in 24 months. Technical majors are allotted 36 months.
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After graduation from your degree plan, you will be immediately enrolled in the 13-week Officer Candidate School (OCS). If completed successfully, you will become commissioned as an officer in the Naval Reserve.
Drawbacks
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The Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program does not pay for any actual tuition. You are just paid as an enlisted Active Duty sailor in the E-3 pay grade. All of your educational expenses come out of your pocket.
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You are required to serve eight years after participating in the program: four years in Active Duty and four years in the Naval Reserve.
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You must maintain your GPA in this program, especially if you are a community college transfer student. Failure to meet the requirement will result in academic probation and an inactive status classification. Continuing to not meet the requirements will result in removal from the program.
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Those with gaps in their education (one or more years) will not be considered for the program.
