The United States Navy provides financial assistance for students looking to attend college and also serve the Armed Forces.
The Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program (BDCP) is one of many financial aid opportunities you can take advantage of in college.
Navy BDCP presents financial assistance to college students and graduates looking to progress and become commissioned as Naval Officers.
Learn more about Navy BDCP and how to take advantage of the special opportunity.
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What is Navy BDCP?
The U.S. Navy has ways to pay for most or all of your college education.
The Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program (BDCP) provides financial assistance to college students and graduates.
It allows students to complete a baccalaureate degree before getting commissioned as a Naval Officer.
While students complete their degrees they may have additional requirements or responsibilities to remain qualified for financial aid.
Eventually, students will attend the Navy Officer Candidate School (OCS) or Officer Development School (ODS) for military training.
Once you graduate and meet all the requirements, students earn commissioning as an Officer.
Though the financial aid provided through the Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program (BDCP) is technically a scholarship, you do have to “pay it back”.
The U.S. Navy asks students to pay back the financial assistance in years served in the military branch after completing their studies.
How much financial assistance do you receive?
The Navy Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program provides full pay and allowances during your studies.
However, you still need to pay for books and other school-related expenses.
There are additional financial rewards.
For example, if you make the Dean’s List during two consecutive semesters (or three consecutive quarters) you are eligible for a one-time advancement to the next higher pay grade based on the Navy pay scale.
Students of Navy BDCP earn standard sailor pay and standard benefits associated with serving the military.
However, your commitments to the Navy remain minor until you graduate from college and get commissioned as a Naval Officer.
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Qualifications of Navy BDCP
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The Navy Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program (BDCP) is open to male and female applicants.
Regardless of your sex, you need to be a citizen of the United States.
High school students looking to attend college, current college students, or recent graduates should consider applying for the BDCP scholarship.
The financial assistance is also available to enlisted personnel of the Navy Reserve or other Reserve components.
Former NROTC members or service academy students that have received other forms of financial assistance are still eligible for the BDCP program.
You need to be at least 18 years of age by the time you apply.
The Navy requires applicants to meet the same physical fitness standards designated for every new recruit.
Though there are not a ton of service requirements while you are attending college, you will need to complete military training at the Officer Candidate School (OCS) or Officer Development School (ODS).
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Academic Requirements
Students understand that every form of financial aid has financial eligibility requirements.
As a result, candidates of the Navy Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program (BDCP) must fall under one of the two categories:
- Students that completed the requirements for a baccalaureate degree at an accredited college or university in the U.S.
- Or enrolled in or accepted for transfer to a regionally accredited four-year college or university with at least 30 semester or 45 quarter hours of credit from an accredited college or university.
Furthermore, the Navy BDCP program requires applicants to have completed two academic terms of a normal schedule of courses with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.7.
There are zero GPA waivers granted for the BDCP scholarship which makes it important to not overlook your studies while in college.
A failure to meet the academic eligibility requirements could get you kicked out of the program which would end the financial assistance and may require you to pay back some of the debt.
Qualified Areas of Study
While people attend college for a variety of reasons and areas of study, the Navy seeks candidates with an education applicable to a military specialty.
Therefore, it is largely looking for students that are seeking technical majors.
For example, those studying mathematics, science, and engineering are more qualified for the Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program.
Regardless of your college major students need to attend full-time and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.7.
Keep in mind that a specific designation may require you to maintain a GPA even higher than the standard 2.7 GPA.
The Navy requires students of the BDCP program to submit official transcripts after each term to prove their grades are still acceptable.
There are other rules that govern the program.
For example, you are expected to remain dedicated toward completing your studies by a projected graduation date.
You cannot stop attending classes or take a semester off without approval by the Navy Recruiting Command (NRC).
A failure to remain eligible and meet the necessary qualifications may result in dis-enrollment from Navy BDCP.
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Joining the Navy After Graduation
The Navy BDCP program offers financial assistance with a long-term commitment to the military branch part of the agreement.
Therefore, you can finish your studies and receive financial aid in the process, however, you will need to eventually pay back the assistance by time served in the Navy.
Navy BDCP graduates advance to receiving commissioning as Naval Officers who may consider the following areas:
- Aeronautical Maintenace Duty
- Aviation
- Civil Engineer Corps
- Cyber Warfare Engineer
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal
- Information Warfare
- Intelligence
- Special Warfare
- Submarine
- Supply Corps
- Surface Warfare
Students of Navy BDCP need to complete Officer Candidate School (OCS) or Officer Development School (ODS) before getting commissioned.
Serving the military as a commissioned officer is an important way to help the country in a management position.
Your experience as a college graduate is invaluable to the U.S. Navy.
It will help develop your leadership skills while you learn how to train and assist others toward a common goal.
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Conclusion
The Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program (BDCP) is an opportunity to receive financial assistance while attending college.
The scholarship money provides assistance for living expenses while you focus on your education.
You will need to meet the requirements each semester of the program like maintaining a GPA of at least 2.7.
Navy BDCP helps students graduate and then commissions them as Naval Officers.
You pay back your financial assistance by serving time in the U.S. Navy after finishing college.
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