Navy professionals looking to advance their career and get a graduate education at a top school have a new opportunity. The Fleet Scholars Education Program (FSEP) is a talent management initiative that provides education opportunities to select Unrestricted Line (URL) and Information Dominance Corps (IDC) officers, according to NAVADMIN 254/15 released Oct. 29.

The Navy's leadership is investing in the future of their communities by selecting proven, at-sea leaders to participate in FSEP. The program is designed for junior to mid-career officers.

Here is what you need to know:

1. FSEP selectees will attend a graduate school of their choice.

Selectees will be able to choose an accredited graduate school in the continental United States, Alaska or Hawaii to attend for up to 24 months. Distance learning, medical and legal education are not authorized.

2. Community sponsors will be selecting individuals soon and slots are limited.

Community sponsors will make their selections and submit them by Dec. 16. FSEP is usually focused on lieutenant URL and IDC officers. Communities have the following allocations: Aviation, 7; Surface, 7; Submarine, 4; Special Warfare, 3; Expeditionary Combat, 3; IDC, 6.

3. If the Navy has already funded your graduate education, you are not eligible for FSEP.

This does not include officers with advanced degrees they earned using their G.I. Bill, tuition assistance, or Navy College Program for Afloat College Education.

4. If selected for FSEP, apply to multiple schools.

FSEP selectees will be reimbursed for up to three application and transcript fees. Participants must consult the list of schools that already have Education Service Agreements (ESA) on the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) Civilian Institutions (CIVINS) approved schools website athttp://www.nps.edu/Academics/CIVINS/Curricula_ApprovedSchools.html. If your school of choice is not on the list, you must notify the NPS CIVINS office so they can pursue additional ESAs.

5. FSEP participants will incur an active duty service obligation.

Selectees maintain their active duty status while participating in the FSEP and must agree to remain on active duty for three years following graduation or withdrawal from the program. A member who voluntarily or through misconduct fails to complete the active duty time will be required to reimburse the cost of their education received.

For more information, read NAVADMIN 254/15 or visit the NPS CIVINS website at www.nps.edu/Academics/CIVINS/index.html.

For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visit www.navy.mil/.