STA-21/MECEP

Seaman to Admiral 21 (STA-21) Program

The STA-21 program was designed to provide enlisted sailors a top-notch college education and a commission. There are programs which lead to a commission in the unrestricted line as well as many of the restricted lines.

While there are many Universities you can attend under the STA-21 Program, the University of Nebraska offers some distinct advantages:

  • Tuition rates fall within the $10,000 a year limit of the STA-21 Program.
  • You will qualify for in-state tuition.
  • Our small unit size allows for individual attention.
  • You are immediately placed in leadership roles and provide much-needed enlisted insight.
  • Families live in safe communities and attend excellent schools.
  • Lincoln enjoys a low cost of living while maintaining a high standard of living.

HOW TO APPLY

Visit the Navy's website to apply to the STA-21 program. If you are considering attending the University of Nebraska, feel free to contact us.

Participants in the STA-21 program will:

  • Be granted Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) benefits (Chapter 30 of Title 38) to pay for courses after the service member's STA-21 funds are exhausted, as long as payment is for different courses and not combined to pay for the same course.
  • Receive full pay and allowances including BAH and BAS for their enlisted pay grades
  • Be eligible for enlisted advancement
  • Receive up to $10,000 per year, paid to the university to supplement the costs of tuition, fees, and books.
  • Upon successful degree completion, be commissioned as active duty Ensigns in the United States Navy (USN).

 

[ TOP ]

Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP)

The Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP) is an enlisted to officer commissioning program designed to provide outstanding enlisted Marines the opportunity to serve as Marine Corps officers. Marines selected for MECEP who have successfully completed Officer Candidate School and graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps.

As an active duty Marine at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) you will be a member of the NROTC unit and will fall under the leadership of the Marine Officer Instructor (MOI) and Assistant Marine Officer Instructor (AMOI). MECEP Marines will typically take 12 (at least) credit hours during a semester in a degree program of your choice. While in the MECEP program, by regulations you are required to complete the following Naval Science courses: Evolution of Warfare, Amphibious Warfare, Leadership & Ethics, and you must enroll in Naval Science Drill/Lab each semester. Drill/Lab is held twice a week – this is when we come together as a unit and conduct training and activities.

While in the MECEP program, you will normally attend your college courses in civilian attire and will be expected to wear Service “C” uniform every Tuesday. As an active duty Marine and a member of the NROTC unit, you are expected to set the example for the rest of the Midshipmen in the unit. You will have the opportunity to serve in platoon, company, and battalion leadership positions. You will also have the opportunity to mentor, coach, and participate in unit activities such as the Rifle & Pistol Team, Drill/Color Guard, Semper Fidelis Society, and unit fund raisers. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to travel to other universities to participate in NROTC events in locations such as Boulder, Colorado and New Orleans, Louisiana.

HOW TO APPLY

The Marine Corps puts out a MARADMIN annually to solicit applications to the MECEP Program. If you are interested in speaking with the MOI or AMOI concerning the MECEP program at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, contact us.

As a Marine officer candidate, physical fitness is important and critical to your success at Officer Candidate School (OCS), and later at The Basic School (TBS). The MECEP program requires that you attend OCS during the summer after your first year of college. The MOI and AMOI will assist you in preparing for the rigors of OCS and TBS by balancing structured unit and individual physical fitness training programs.

GI Bill Benefits
If you qualify for the GI Bill, you can utilize it to pay for your education here (up to $1,200 per month). The great thing about Nebraska is that as an active duty Marine, you will granted in-state tuition, which is a tremendous savings for the active duty student. Additionally, Financial Aid may be available to you, where you may qualify for grants and/or loans. Scholarships opportunities also exist and many of our current MECEP students are recipients of scholarships.