Navy College Assistance/Student Headstart Program
College students gifted in the nuclear sciences may receive up to $50,000 in aid from the Navy College Assistance/Student Headstart Program (Navy-CASH). If you are elgible, VAJoe.com can help you find schools where you can use Navy-CASH.
Highlights
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Students may delay entry into the Navy and attend school for 12 months before going to basic training.
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After meeting the basic eligibility requirements, newly enlisted sailors are specially selected for the program based on whole person qualification, quota availability and when the Navy needs you to start Navy boot camp.
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New recruits to the program will receive:
- A regular Navy salary up to pay grade E-3 for up to 12 months
- Medical and dental benefits
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30 days of paid vacation
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Recruits may be eligible for Navy enlistment incentives such as:
- Loan Repayment Program—up to $60,000
- Navy College Fund—up to $50,000
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Enlistment Bonus—up to $12,000.
Drawbacks
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You must enlist for a long time to participate in this program. You have to enlist for a standard four years, plus the enlistment extension required for your rating and the number of months spent in Navy-CASH.
Here is an example of an enlistee who uses Navy-CASH for a standard 9 month academic year:
JoeMath
48 months standard enlistment
24 month extension for participating in Navy-CASH
+ 9 months in Navy-CASH
81 months (6 years, 9 months) enlistment
requirement
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Furthermore, Navy-CASH doesn't actually pay for your tuition, it only pays you a Navy E-1 to E-3 salary while you delay your basic training for a year to go to school. In other words, you pay your own tuition, books and other fees, unless you have assistance from scholarships or another military educational program.
