Command Approver Checklist

Command Approver Certification Criteria
All command approvers should be familiar with the criteria to determine a Sailor’s eligibility to receive TA funding prior to granting a command endorsement of the TA request.

Eligible Requirements:
When a Sailor’s request for Tuition Assistance is endorsed by the command approver, they are certifying the Sailor meets the following eligibility requirements.
 

1. OFF-DUTY EDUCATION WHILE ON ACTIVE DUTY
     A. Sailor will have time to pursue an off-duty education, balance military obligations, and is successfully progressing or has completed professional qualifications.
     B. Courses funded by Tuition Assistance MUST be completed while on active duty.
 

 2. FIRST PERMANENT DUTY STATION (PDS)
     A. Officer and enlisted new accession are required to have one year onboard their first permanent duty station before TA or NCPACE funds will be authorized.
     B. New accession Officers who have completed a tour as an enlisted service member are exempt from this provision.
     C. A command waiver for the PDS requirement by may be granted per OpNav1560.9B dtd 28 Dec 23.
 

 3. ADVANCEMENT ELIGIBLE, PHYSICAL FITNESS ASSESSMENT & RECOMMENDED FOR ADVANCEMENT
     A. Advancement eligible Sailors must have taken and passed their most recent advancement exam. If a Sailor is eligible and chooses not to take the exam for personal reasons, they are not eligible for TA.
     B. Sailors shall have passed their most recent physical fitness assessment or been medically waived from their most recent PRT.
     C. Sailors must be recommended for promotion or advancement on their most recent evaluation/fitness report, and received at least a 3.0 performance rating. 

Ineligible Circumstances:
When a Sailor’s request for Tuition Assistance is endorsed by the command approver, they are certifying the following ineligibility circumstances do not apply to this Sailor:
 4. NON-JUDICIAL OR COURT MARTIAL, APPELLATE LEAVE OR ADMINISTRATIVE SEPARATION in the last 12 months. 
     A. When convicted at a special or general court-martial and sentenced to a punitive discharge or confinement.
     B. When found guilty at a summary court martial or awarded non-judicial punishment in the previous six months
     C. Sailors on appellate leave.
     D. Sailors pending administrative separation.
 

5. ENROLLED IN NAVY TRAINING OR EDUCATION PROGRAMS
     A. Sailors participating in initial skills or duty under instruction status.
     B. Sailors participating in a Navy education program such as, but not-limited to, Graduate Education Voucher, Advanced Education Voucher, and any Navy-sponsored scholarship program.
     C. Sailors enrolled in an officer accession program involving full-time instruction at a civilian institution.

       6. Sailors must have completed three years of service based on their PEBD in the record. If the date is wrong they will need to contact their personnel actions detachment. 

Reservist Requirements:
In addition to the listed requirements above, when a command approver endorses a RESERVE Sailor’s request for Tuition Assistance, they are certifying the reserve Sailor meets the following.

 7. ENLISTED RESERVISTS
     A. Must be ordered to active duty for 120 days or more.
     B. Must have completed one year at their Navy Reserve Center or equivalent to use TA funds.
     C. Meets all other TA eligibility requirements.

 8. OFFICER RESERVISTS
     A. Ordered to active duty for TWO years beyond the completion date of any TA-funded course
     B. Must have completed one year at their Navy Operational Support Center or equivalent to use TA funds.
     C. Meets all other TA eligibility requirements.