Education Grants for Enlisted Members: Apply Now

Dec. 11 2025 update:  As of today, the enlisted education grant is closed for the year.

The Coast Guard Foundation’s enlisted education grant program opens today, November 19.  Applications will close on December 10 or sooner if available funds are expended.

This annual program provides grants up to $500 to eligible members to help cover tuition, fees and other expenses for courses, certifications, or credentialing programs not covered by the G.I. Bill, Coast Guard’s tuition assistance program and other federally funded education benefits.

How to Apply

• Eligible members complete the application online. Once reviewed and verified for eligibility, grants will be awarded for reimbursable expenses up to $500 per member. Applicants must submit receipts for completed courses, training, or credentialing programs.

Education Grant Categories

• Coast Guard Foundation Education Grant (CGFEG): Supports voluntary academic or technical education, including tuition, fees, and related expenses.
• Vice Admiral William F. Rea III Marine Safety Education Grant (WFEG): Honors the late VADM Rea by supporting enlisted members pursuing education, training, and professional development in marine safety, security, environmental protection, and vessel traffic systems.
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Grant: Assists enlisted members pursuing EMT-related education or credentialing.

Eligibility

• Open to active-duty enlisted service members in paygrades E-3 through E-6.
• Reserve members may be eligible if they have been on active-duty orders for more than 180 days in the past 12 months.
• Applicants must be participating in, or have completed within the past 12 months, a professional development, licensing, certification, undergraduate or graduate course.
• There is no time in service requirement; however, members must complete their courses for which the application is being submitted prior to release from active duty, discharge, or retirement.

Important Notes

• The grants do not cover expenses already reimbursed by other federally funded programs.
• Members seeking credential reimbursement should first explore the Voluntary Credentialing Program (VCP) via Credentialing Assistance (CA). If VCP funding is not available, they may apply for reimbursement through the Coast Guard Foundation. Additional information on credentialing support is available through CG COOL.
• Applications will be processed by Education and Training Quota Management Command (ETQC) in coordination with the Coast Guard Foundation on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Periodic changes may influence the funding levels of these grants. As a result, the Coast Guard Foundation does not guarantee the future funding levels for this program. The Coast Guard Foundation reserves the right to reduce or discontinue any award due to the non-availability of funding, without advance notice.
• Our education grant season for enlisted members typically opens on Oct. 1 but was delayed because of the government shutdown. It is our plan to be back on schedule with an Oct. 1 open date in 2026 and beyond.
• For questions or assistance, members should contact their local Education Service Officer (ESO).

Ready to apply? The application is available online through ETQC.

Questions? Please refer to your ESO. Questions from ESOs should be directed to ETQC at 757-756-5300 or email at: ETQC-SMB-FoundationGrants@uscg.mil.