Service members planning to start their college education have a new option for taking admissions tests, including the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) and the American College Test (ACT) Assessment Program.

New to the testing programs is a reimbursement option for members taking the ACT/SAT at off-base locations, including local high schools or colleges.

Service members will pay for the off-base tests upfront when they register, and will be reimbursed by the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) after the fact.

"The reimbursement option gives our Sailors the ability to arrange SAT and ACT testing at off-base locations that fit their personal and professional schedules," said Ernest D'Antonio, Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center's Voluntary Education program director.

ACT and SAT testing through the new DANTES reimbursement program is now the Navy's primary means for Sailors stationed in CONUS to take these exams.

On-base testing at DANTES-authorized testing sites, such as Navy College Offices outside the continental United States, is funded by directly by the Department of Defense and does not require student payment.

Other tests eligible for reimbursement through DANTES include a single GED, GMAT, GRE General, GRE Subject, Praxis Core (formerly Praxis I) and Praxis Subject Assessment (including the Principles of Learning and Teaching), and two ACTs and two SATs during a service member's career.

For reimbursement of testing fees, the "Electronic Reimbursement Form" is located on the DANTES website http://www.dantes.doded.mil/. Service members should select Examinations, Reimbursement Eligibility, then read the instructions and click on the "Electronic Reimbursement Form." A valid Uniformed Services Common Access Card (CAC) is required to access the Online Reimbursement Center. Service members are required to upload both their official score report and payment receipt with all reimbursement requests in order to receive approval.

For additional information on college admissions and academic testing programs, including the new reimbursement policy, visit the DANTES website http://www.dantes.doded.mil/examinations/index.html#sthash.Bdv8pdQ0.9F8zl8iX.dpbs. Questions related to DANTES testing may also be directed to DANTES Exams at exams@navy.mil.

Sailors may also talk to an education counselor at the Navy's Virtual Education Center. Call center hours are from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST Monday-Friday and may be reached by calling (877) 838-1659 or DSN 492-4684, or by email at VEC@navy.mil.

For more information on Navy Voluntary Education, visit http://www.facebook.com/NavyVoluntaryEducation/ or http://www.navycollege.navy.mil/.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Naval Education and Training Professional Development and Technology Center, visit www.navy.mil/ or http://www.netc.navy.mil/netc/netpdc/Default.htm/.