Military Tuition Assistance

The Department of Defense (DoD) Tuition Assistance (TA) program provides financial assistance to Service members for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of professional and personal self-development goals.

TA is available for courses that are offered in the classroom or by distance learning and are part of an approved academic degree or certificate program. The courses must be offered by schools that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and are signatories to the current DoD Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (DOD MOU). Cisco College is a signatory.

The Services are authorized to establish Service specific eligibility criteria to manage TA funds. As such, service members interested in TA should reach out to an Education Services Office (ESO), Military Advisor, or service prior to enrollment).

Service members may visit your local installation education center, go online to a virtual education center or click on the following links for each service branch:

    Service-specific Tuition Assistance Policies & Procedures

    Military Tuition Assistance Rate

    Building Use, General, Educational Service, and Out-of-District Fees are waived.

    Fall 2022 rate - $52.00 per semester credit hour
    Effective Fall 2023 - $67.00 per semester credit hour

    • Compliance

      For concerns about compliance with the Department of Defense Memorandum of Understanding with Cisco College (DOD MOU), please contact Jerry Dodson, Vice President of Student Services (jerry.dodson@cisco.edu)

    • Marketing, Recruiting, & Advertising

      Cisco College maintains the following policies that reflect program integrity requirements consistent with regulations issued by the Department of Education (34 C.F.R 668.71-668.75 and 668.14) related to restrictions on misrepresentation, recruitment, and payment of incentive compensation. This applies to Cisco College itself and its agents, including third-party lead generators, marketing firms, or companies that own or operate the educational institution. As part of efforts to eliminate unfair, deceptive, and abusive marketing aimed at Service members, Cisco College will:

      1. Ban inducements, including any gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, transportation, lodging, meals, or other item having a monetary value to any individual or entity, or its agents including third-party lead generators or marketing firms other than salaries paid to employees or fees paid to contractors in conformity with all applicable laws for the purpose of securing enrollments of Service members or obtaining access to TA funds. Educational institution-sponsored scholarships or grants and tuition reductions available to military students are permissible;
      2. Refrain from providing any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on securing enrollments or federal financial aid (including TA funds) to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting, admission activities, or making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance;
      3. Refrain from high-pressure recruitment tactics such as making multiple unsolicited contacts (3 or more), including contacts by phone, email, or in-person, and engaging in same-day recruitment and registration for the purpose of securing Service member enrollments.

      Additionally, eligible Service members are directed to speak with their Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within their Military Service prior to being enrolled at CISCO COLLEGE. This is to ensure that Service members understand their own eligibility for Tuition Assistance and their potential financial responsibility toward the school.

      If an eligible Service member decides to use TA, educational institutions will enroll them only after the TA is approved by the individual’s Service. Service members will be solely responsible for all tuition costs without this prior approval.

      This requirement does not prohibit Cisco College from pre-registering a Service member in a course in order to secure a slot in the course. If a school enrolls the Service member before the appropriate Service approves Military TA, then the Service member could be responsible for the tuition.

      All Military TA must be requested and approved prior to the start date of the course. The Military TA is approved on a course-by-course basis and only for the specific course(s) and class dates that a Service member requests.

      If a military student “self-identifies” their eligibility and the Service has not approved the funding, then the Service member will be solely responsible for all tuition costs, not the Service.

    • Financial Matters (Grants & Loans)

      Before offering, recommending, arranging, signing up, dispersing, or enrolling Service members for grants or student loans, service members may work with the Director of financial aid at Cisco College; The Director will be able to offer individual loan counseling, including, but not limited to:

      1. Providing a clear and complete explanation of available financial aid, including Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.
      2. Describing the differences between subsidized and unsubsidized federal student loans to include terms, conditions, repayment, and forgiveness options.
      3. Disclosing the institution’s student loan Cohort Default Rate (CDR), the percentage of its students who borrow, and how its CDR compares to the national average. If the educational institution’s CDR is greater than the national average CDR, it must disclose that information and provide the student with loan repayment data.
      4. Explaining that students have the ability to refuse all or borrow less than the maximum student loan amount allowed.

      For more information about student loan counseling at Cisco College, contact Linda Sellers, Director of Financial Aid (linda.sellers@cisco.edu)

    • Cisco College Estimated Cost of Attendance

      2022-23 Academic Year (Fall 2022 – Spring 2023)

      Expense Category

      		In District - At Home With Parents

      In District - On Campus

      		In District - Off CampusOut of District -On CampusOut of District -On CampusOut of District -Off Campus

      Tuition & Fees

      		$3,900
      		$3,900
      		$3,900
      		$5,250
      		$5,250
      		$5,250

      Books & Supplies

      		$1,000
      		$1,000
      		$1,000
      		$1,000
      		$1,000
      		$1,000

      Room & Board

      		$3,257
      		$4,100
      		$5,029
      		$3,257
      		$4,100
      		$5,209

      Transportation

      		$1,847
      		$1,847
      		$1,847
      		$1,847
      		$1,847
      		$1,847
      Personal & Misc

      $3,921

      		$3,923
      		$4,301
      		$3,921
      		$3,923
      		$4,301

      TOTAL

      		$13,925
      		$14,770
      		$16,467
      		$15,275
      		$16,120

      $17,826

      Net Price Calculator (texas.gov)
      Paying for College | Cisco College
      Tuition & Fees | Cisco College

    • Return of TA Funds

      Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire term/semester for which the assistance is awarded. When a student withdraws, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of TA funds originally awarded.

      To comply with the new Department of Defense policy, Cisco College will return any unearned TA funds on a prorated basis through at least the 60% portion of the term/semester for which the funds were provided.

      TA funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period, with unearned funds returned based on when a student stops attending. These funds are returned to the military Service branch.

      In instances when a Service member stops attending due to a military service obligation, Cisco College will work with the Service member to identify solutions that will not result in student debt for the returned portion of TA funds.

      Cisco College offers courses in 3-week, 5-week, 8-week, 10-week, and 16-week terms/semesters. The following table identifies the prorated amount to be returned to the Service branch when a student awarded TA withdraws from their courses.

      Withdrawal from a 3-week term/course (May, December, and August Mini-terms)

      Day 1-2 100% return
      Day 3 80% return
      Day 4 73% return
      Day 5 67% return
      Day 6 60% return
      Day 7 53% return
      Day 8 47% return
      Day 9 40% return (60% of course is completed)
      Day 10 0% return

      Note: A week of instruction is counted as 5 days.

      Withdrawal from a 5-week term/course (Summer I and II Terms)

      Day 1-5 100% return
      Day 6 76% return
      Day 7 72% return
      Day 8 68% return
      Day 9 64% return
      Day 10 60% return
      Day 11 56% return
      Day 12 52% return
      Day 13 48% return
      Day 14 44% return
      Day 15 40% return (60% of course is completed)
      Day 16 0% return

      Note: A week of instruction is counted as 5 days.

      Withdrawal from an 8-week term/ course (Flex Term)

      Before or during week 1 100% return
      During week 2 75% return
      During weeks 3-4 50% return
      During week 5 40% return (60% of course is completed)
      During weeks 6-8 0% return

      Withdrawal from a 10-week term/course (Long Summer Term)

      Before or during week 1 100% return
      During week 2 90% return
      During weeks 3-4 75% return
      During week 5 50% return
      During week 6 40% return (60% of course is completed)
      During weeks 7-10 0% return

      Withdrawal from a 16-week term/course (Fall and Spring Terms)

      Before or during weeks 1-2 100% return
      During weeks 3-4 75% return
      During weeks 5-8 50% return
      During week 9 40% return (60% of course is completed)
      During week 10-16 0% return

    • Military Leave of Absence & Readmission Policy

      If a student is deployed during a semester of enrollment, they are eligible to receive a leave of absence for that deployment period per Cisco College policy.

      Should you require a leave of absence due to deployment, notify the Registrar’s Office (shirley.dove@cisco.edu) of the situation and provide a copy of your orders unless prohibited from doing so.

      If you are in good academic standing upon returning from your deployment period, you do not have to complete the readmission/appeal process. However, if you take leave of absence while on academic probation or suspension you may be required to go through the readmission/appeal process through the Offices of Admissions and Financial Aid.

      When you are ready to return to Cisco College, email the Registrar’s Office with your intention. Cisco College will promptly reactivate your student status. After that, you can connect with your academic advisor to plan out the next steps.

    • Program Accreditation

      Cisco College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees and certificates. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Ga., 30033-4097, or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Cisco College.

      Certain Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs at Cisco College require additional outside accreditation to validate the degree in the workforce.

      Pharmacy Tech Program

      American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists

      • PTAC Pharmacy Technician Accreditation Commission I

      Respiratory Care Program

      Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care

      Nursing Programs

      Texas Board of Nursing

      Cosmetology Program

      Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

      Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

    • Degree Requirements

      All undergraduate students at Cisco College should meet with their academic advisors prior to course selection and assistance with developing their Degree Plan. All students may peruse the Cisco College General Catalog for the degree requirements and timelines for degree programs.

      Students at Cisco College utilize our degree audit system (Campus Connect) to review degree requirements including specific courses needed, hours needed, and GPA minimums. The audit is available online to students from the point of matriculation.

      Requirements are determined by the student's catalog year and are unchanging unless the student undertakes a change to his or her catalog year or degree program. The degree audit shows both Cisco College earned credits as well as those accepted for transfer.

      Degree requirements in effect at the time of each Service member’s enrollment will remain in effect for a period of at least 1 year beyond the program’s standard length, provided the Service member is in good academic standing and has been continuously enrolled or received an approved academic leave of absence.

      Adjustments to degree requirements may be made as a result of formal changes to the academic policy pursuant to institutional or departmental determination.

      In instances when courses or programs are no longer available or changes have been mandated by a State or accrediting body, the educational institution will identify low or no cost solutions, working with affected Service members to identify substitutions that would not hinder the student from graduating in a timely manner.

    • Transfer Credit

      Veterans that submit a form DD-214 to a counselor may receive two (2) semester hours of KINE credit.

      Additional credit (up to six credit hours) may be awarded upon the presentation of military transcripts (AARTS, SMART, etc.).

      Evaluation of credits earned from non-military sources (including other colleges and universities and testing programs such as AP, CLEP, and IB) follow the same process used for other undergraduate students.

      You will need to submit an official transcript or report from each source directly to Cisco College. When we receive those, your credits will be evaluated for acceptability. Registrar staff will add your credits to your Cisco College record.

      You can work with your academic advisor later if you believe some used credits need to be swapped out for unused credits that would be more beneficial for you.

      Once you start at Cisco College, you may be able to transfer additional courses you want to take. You would follow the same rules as other undergraduate students as found in the College Catalog.

    • Career Counseling

      All Cisco College students and alumni are encouraged to use Career Services Office resources to assist them with transitioning into a meaningful career post-graduation.

      Cisco College offers several services designed to assist students in their career search, including:

      • Career testing
      • Job Board with full and part-time job postings
      • Resource library to maintain current information regarding job search and careers
      • Assist students and graduates with job search skills such as resume writing, interviewing skills, and researching job markets

      FOCUS 2 Career Assessment

      FOCUS 2 is a self-paced, online career and education planning tool for college students that is designed to help you make decisions about future career goals and education plans. FOCUS 2 provides five self-assessments to help you identify your top work interests, values, skills, personality type, and leisure time interests and explore occupations and major areas of study compatible with your personal attributes. Students use FOCUS 2 to help choose or change their major and also verify their choice of a career field.

      To get started on FOCUS 2:

      • First-time users: Create a new account.
      • Use the following ACCESS CODE when prompted: wrangler
      • Returning users: Log on (using the account you have already created)

      Using FOCUS 2

      The layout of FOCUS 2 is designed to walk you through the first steps of your career planning process. Most students start at the top of the home page and work their way down, but you may want to visit some of the “Recommended Tools and Websites” at any stage in your process.

      Other Resources:

      Job Interview Questions
      Bureau of Labor Statistics
      Abilene Works
      Texas Workforce Commission
      Texas Job Hunter's Guide
      The Career Key
      Monster
      LinkedIn Jobs
      ZipRecruiter
      CollegeGrad       - Look for entry-level positions, explore different careers, and read tips for resumes and
      interviews
      Free Resume Templates       - A guide that will help you select the right resume template

    Cc Logo

    ​Cisco College Veterans Services Office

    Ricardo Lopez, School Certifying Official
    Phone: (325) 794-4465
    Fax: (325) 692-2530
    rick.lopez@cisco.edu