GI Bill SCUBA

[brihno]

I'm not a vet but I am a college student who is taking an AOW class as a phys ed credit. so maybe this won't help, but you could check out your local community college or 4 year institution.
Maybe not though I really have no idea what the rules for the G.I. bill are.

 

[muddiver]

I was going to say that you should look at the local community colleges. There is one in Florida called Florida Keys Community College that has a killer program that I know would fall within the VA requirements.

Florida Keys Community College - Island Living, Island Learning! (305) 296-9081

Look around for something like this. I think I remember there being a program in Texas that was similar.

Also the business degree is a really good idea to complete. It will give you the other tools you need to be either an independant instructor or the skills to work your way into the management of a large resort operation.

Stay far away from the Commercial Diver Academy in Jacksonville. It is way over priced.

 

[pacchill]

I noticed something on my LDS's website about getting reimbursed for NAUI instructor. I have not gotten that deep into it though. I don't really know that I want to teach SCUBA. I ever did it only be so I could go to DEMA LOL.


Qualified persons who have successfully taken a NAUI instructor examination
are eligible to submit a request for reimbursement for examination costs up
to $450, the highest amount available in the dive industry. For more
information on this program and eligibility requirements log on to
http://www.gibill.va.gov/education/benefits.htm or
http://www.gibill.va.gov/education/LCweb.htm.

The Department of Veterans' Affairs has been active in creating
opportunities for veterans and military personnel in non-governmental and
recreational industries. NAUI is pleased to partner with the VA to deliver
the highest quality training and career opportunities for our US military
personnel.noticed something on my LDS's website about getting reimbursed for NAUI instructor. I have not gotten that deep into it though. I don't really know that I want to teach SCUBA. I ever did it only be so I could go to DEMA LOL.
NAUI received approval from the United States Department of
Veterans' Affairs for reimbursement of scuba instructor examination fees.
Qualified veterans, active duty personnel and approved dependants can apply
to receive reimbursement of instructor examination fees under the VA
Licensing and Certification Tests program.

Looks the same as what is on the PADI site. Ralph (the owner) said there has been one guy use this. Again, it was just in a passing convo.

 

[toptanker]

Any U.S. vets on here use GI Bill to obtain any SCUBA training or certifications? Just curious if it was even possible. I have looked on the GI bill website and had no luck.

:vintagediver:

I have been looking myself for a place I can use my GI bill on Scuba Certifications. I found Florida Keys Community College.

The Diving Business and Technology degree is geared towards training professionals to work underwater. If your have an interest in working as a SCUBA Instructor , a dive boat Captain, a commercial diver, a police diver, a scientific research diver or working in dive medicine.

There are three parts to the Diving Business and Technology degree: the general education requirements, the diving core requirements and the focus track. The general education requirements match with the first year of the AA program as well as other AS programs. This means you can dual enroll the dive program with another degree. This is important if you want to continue your education beyond the 2 year degree. Here are the general education requirements: General Education Requirements (21 credits)

Credits
ENC 1101 English Composition I 3
MGF 1106 Math for Liberal Arts I (recommended)
-or-
STA 2023 Into. To Probability & Statistics I
-or-
MAC 1105 College Algebra 3
SPC 1040 Intro. To Speech Communication 3
Any course from Humanities/Fine Arts Area I, Section B 3
Any course from Social/Behavioral Science Area IV, (SYG 1000 Recommended) 3
Any Computer Course 3
Any Elective 3

The core requirements are designed to provide you with the background necessary to work in any aspect of the diving profession. If your goals are for the dive training only, then you may want to consider an advanced certificate in Diving Business and Technology. This involves taking the core requirements and the focus track you are interested in. This option would take a year to complete. Core Requirements (28 credits required)

Credits
The following 3 credits:
OCB 1000 Intro. to marine biology

The following 26 credits:
PEN 2137C Advanced Scuba Diving (Advanced Diving Theory & Practice) EMS 2081 Scuba Rescue and Emergency Medicine
PEQ 1137C Divemaster
PGY 1245C Underwater Photography
MKA 2621 The Business of Diving
MTE 1730 Scuba Equipment Maintenance & Repair
EOC 2713C Nitrox and computer diving
EMS 1344 Aquatic 1st Aid/ CPR/ O2

The focus track or concentration is where you choose your end goal in diving. If you have more than one interest, that’s OK. You can always take courses from other tracks as electives. If you already received training in the core subjects from another location but want to training in a new area, then you may take the focus track only. When you complete the focus track, you will receive a diving technology certificate recognizing your training the concentration. This option could take as little as a semester.

Choose your focus track:

Recreational Diving
Commercial and Work Diving
Scientific Diving
Dive Medical Technology
Police and Public Safety Diving

Deferment of Fees for Qualified Veterans

Under the provisions of Florida Law, any eligible veteran or other person who wishes to pursue an approved program of education or training within the meaning of Chapter 34 Title 38 United States Code at any institution within the State University System or Community College System shall be allowed one (1) deferment for the payment of registration fees within any 12-month period. This is considered to be the 12-month period commencing on the first day of regular registration of the term for which the eligible veteran is requesting deferment. No deferment can be longer than sixty (60) days or up to ten (10) days prior to the end of the term (last day of final examination) whichever is shorter. The deferment shall be given on the first day of registration for the first term of enrollment. Failure to pay deferred fees when due will result in being withdrawn from courses with the full fees still being owed by the Veteran. Full repayment is due whether or not the Veteran receives his VA benefits. No deferment shall be granted to an eligible person who has received advanced or prepaid educational benefits from the Veterans Administration.

 

[guppyman]

As a VA certifying official at a university, the new Chapter 33 and Yellow Ribbon program may be a good option. The current/older Ch. 30 GI Bill reimburses you. The new one pays up front with a housing stipend. I wager the Florida Keys Community College program referenced above would be eligible for funding. I'd give the financial aid or veteran's affairs office a call.

 

[Slonda828]

Any VA approved educational facility can be utilized by a veteran with benefits. This includes numerous commercial diving facilities (pretty much any ADCI approved school in North America) and any recreational facility which is approved as a vocational school (EASE in florida in one such school, there are others). You will be approved for the vocational training rate, which is neither full time nor part time. This rate changes, so I suggest you contact the VA office which is affiliated with your geographic area via telephone with the name of the program in which you plan to enroll. They will tell you the exact dollar amount to which you are entitled.

Speaking as a veteran who used the GI Bill exclusively to get an AA, BA, and MA, I think you should spend your veteran's benefits to get a college degree. This will afford you the chance to make enough money in the future to pay for your diving courses on your own dime. Besides, diving courses only count as lower level courses (typically) anyway. If you are in the service (or were), then 99% of your electives at any college would be satisfied by your MOS or career field training. This means that you can use diving courses to satisfy 100 and 200 level courses at the most. For comparison's sake, when I was an E5 back in 2002 I only had to take about 6 classes at a real college for my AA in Electronics. You would be better served by completing a degree at a college and using that to achieve the standard of living conducive to paying for courses. Besides, if you ever lose your job in the civilian world, you can always come back as an officer.

Still, if you are simply not going to use your GI Bill for anything else, and you would otherwise waste it, you would be better off using it to pay for your diving courses that you would to not use it at all. This is in the same vein of saying that you would be better off getting a CDL and becoming a truck driver than working fast food. I am not trying to sound condescending, but I am a pretty firm believer in education.

It's beer-thirty, so if there are any typographical errors, tolerate them until tomorrow when I am sober and can fix them. Take this with a sense of humor too, I'm not trying to sound pissy, and the only thing I love more than beer is my fellow service members. Now if you'll excuse me, there's some Blue Moon with my name on it.

 

[WreckDivingFool]

Contact FKCC as was mentioned several times before. The director of the Diving program is a vet himself, as are several of the instructors on staff. Since we have a large military contingency on the island, they are very in tune with what you can or cant use your GI Bill for. And they will also be able to help with Veterans grants as well that you might not have to pay back

CALL THEM AND CHECK IT OUT!!!

 

[tc]

I think Santa Barbara City/Community College still has a two year dive program as well.

 

[tc]

Yep- here you go-

Santa Barbara City College

 

[devildoc5]

I know I am necroing and old thread here, but I just got off the phone (on Thursday the 16th) with the "workforce rehabilitation specialist" at my local CC. Basically an advisor who advises all the classes that don't have college credit associated with them.

According to her (verified via GI Bill website as well) in October 2011 there will be changes to the post 9/11 GI Bill that will allow you to take NDC (non degree courses). The down side is they will only pay for the course (up to established maximums just like before) and UP TO 83$ per month for books and fees. NO housing allowance and NO 1000$ extra per year for books and fees.

There are currently more than a few programs (most with either SSI or PADI) that allow ACTIVE DUTY personnel to use their Tuition Assistance money to become Dive Masters/Dive Cons. This is SUPPOSED to be changing (based on certifying officials and VA website) in October 2011 to allow us Vets to do the same thing with our GI Bills.

Just throwing this information out there in case any one else needs it/stumbles across it.

My LDS has a program that I will be starting in October that will take me from my current OW to DiveCon via the GI Bill. I will be taking the majority of the specialty classes with Active Duty Marines who are in the same program using their TA. Just something to look into for anyone who is still interested.