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My Coast Guard
Commentary | April 13, 2021

Explore academic, tuition reduction opportunities at virtual education fair

By Janki Patel, MyCG Writer

The Education Institutions of the Federal Academic Alliance is hosting a virtual education fair on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EDT. More than 14 schools will be represented. 

At this free, interactive virtual event, you will have the opportunity to meet representatives from each of the confirmed schools and attend webinars. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will also be on-site with a table in the virtual exhibit hall. 

Federal employees and their families and veterans who are working in the federal government are highly encouraged to attend. Spouses and dependents of veterans are also welcome. 

“The benefit of attending is to gain awareness of reduced tuition opportunities for Coast Guard employees who are non-military and don’t have access to tuition assistance or GI-Bill benefits, or military members who have exhausted their benefits but wish to continue to pursue their education,” said Audra Hearrell, program manager and administrator at Force Readiness Command Career Investment Division. “Additionally, a strong turnout at this event will continue to advocate for growing this federal partnership with additional schools.”

The purpose of the event is to share new and innovative educational pathways and learning experiences that federal employees and their families can take advantage of to pursue or enhance their education and/or skill development. 

"University of Maryland Global Campus (UMCG) is honored to be a member of OPM's Federal Academic Alliance, and proud to work alongside other academic members to offer a day of learning for the Federal Government at no cost,” said Justin Hasty, director, Strategic Partnerships – Federal, Corporate Learning Solutions from UMCG. “We invite all federal employees to attend whether they are looking to go back to school or attend one of the concurrent sessions." 

OPM created the Federal Academic Alliance in 2014 to assist the federal government in addressing critical skills gaps. The Alliance provides higher educational opportunities to the federal workforce by providing current federal employees with the opportunity to pursue post-secondary education from regionally accredited institutions at reduced tuition rates.

Registration link: https://fedgovedfair.vfairs.com/