Apply Now: Grants for Enlisted Coast Guard Members to Support Education, Professional Training

The Coast Guard Foundation education grant program for enlisted Coast Guard members provides annual grants up to $1,000 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.

Eligible members complete the application online. Once reviewed and verified for eligibility, grants will be awarded for reimbursable expenses up to $1,000 per member. Applicants must submit receipts for completed courses, training, or credentialing programs.

Education Grant Categories

Coast Guard Foundation Education Grant (CGFEG): 
Purpose: Assists eligible enlisted personnel pursuing undergraduate academic or technical-development coursework.
Covers: Tuition, fees, and other eligible expenses incurred for off-duty voluntary education and credentialing.

Vice Admiral William F. Rea III Marine Safety Education Grant (WFEG): 
Purpose: Assists eligible enlisted personnel pursuing education and credentialing expenses directly related to Marine Safety, Security, Environmental Protection, or Vessel Traffic Systems.
Eligibility: Course work or credentialing must directly relate to marine safety, security, environmental protection, or vessel traffic systems.
Covers: Tuition, fees, and other eligible expenses incurred for off-duty voluntary education and credentialing, including undergraduate and graduate-level coursework.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Grant: 
Purpose: Assists eligible enlisted personnel pursuing EMT-related off-duty voluntary education and credentialing.
Eligibility: Course work or credentialing must directly relate to emergency medical technician training or certification.
Covers: Tuition, fees, and other eligible expenses incurred for off-duty voluntary education and credentialing directly related to EMT training or certification.

Eligibility

• Open to active-duty enlisted service members in pay grades 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.
• 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.