By far the most dangerous job in federal law enforcement is that of the US Border Patrol. These individuals are frequently alone and constantly outnumbered. They’ve also gained a lot of respect from a lot of people. Let’s know Does Border Patrol Pay For College?
In a general context, there is no single school that prepares students to work as border patrol agents. Only newly hired border patrol agents receive formal “Basic Academy” training at the US Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico.
This is a paid training program that lasts 58 days for individuals who already speak Spanish and 98 days for those who do not. The completion of this training is required before they can be accepted as full-fledged border patrol agents.
Tuition Assistance Program(TAP)
The Customs and Border Protection Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) expands educational options for Border Patrol employees by covering eligible tuition-related fees and demonstrating the agency’s commitment to lifelong learning, employee growth, and achieving employees’ educational goals.
The following are some of TAP’s highlights:
1. Tuition and associated fees, as well as book expenses, are covered up to $1,500 per course and $4,500 per employee per calendar year.
2. Course approval for classroom and online instruction at all accredited universities and colleges.
3. It is available for all undergraduate and graduate courses leading to professional certification or any type of degree.
This curriculum from the Office of Training and Development is up to date and relevant to today’s job demands. Educational benefits have long been a popular employment benefit in the military.
The Tuition Assistance Program pays more than many Department of Homeland Security agencies and exceeds employee education incentives offered by some of the country’s major firms.
Customs and Border Patrol encourages employees to continue studying throughout their careers. Therefore, it is worthwhile to consider how the Tuition Assistance Program might affect your educational and professional ambitions and begin today to make the most of your Tuition Assistance Program benefits.
Border Patrol Academy Study Duration
They are continuously starting classes. Obviously, due to the present COVID problem, things are progressing more slowly, but classes are still being held and will continue to be held.
When it comes to determining whether or not to attend college, the cost of acquiring a criminology degree is undoubtedly one of the most important factors to consider. Whether you attend a public or private school and whether you are an in-state or out-of-state student will determine how much you spend. Public schools are less expensive, and enrolling in one in your home state will save you money because you will be eligible for tuition discounts.
A four-year bachelor’s degree in criminology might cost anything from $10,000 to $60,000 per year. These expenses include the price of Tuition. Other expenses like books, materials, room, and board are all included.
You can still earn a criminology degree for less money if you apply for financial help. Make an appointment with your school’s financial aid office to determine whether you are eligible to apply for scholarships, grants, or other types of financial aid. To assist support your education expenditures, you might apply for student loans and look for part-time work.
Consider These Factors Before Applying For Border Patrol
If you want to work as a border patrol agent, you’ll need high school graduation and work experience, as well as meeting the additional qualifications laid forth by the United States Customs and Border Protection department. Before you submit your application, it’s a good idea to have a bachelor’s degree in a field like criminology.
You will not only boost your chances of being employed at the GL-5 level, but you will also be more prepared for the rigors of this career, as well as any other sector of law enforcement if you decide that becoming a border patrol agent is not the career for you. Before going any further, keep in mind that any four-year degree will do if you want to work as a border patrol agent.
Border Patrol Career Peculiarities
People join the border patrol because they want to help keep the country safe and serve the country. They most likely see the border patrol mission as a responsibility they want to take on.
As a border patrol agent, you will be responsible for monitoring the United States’ borders with Canada and Mexico to guarantee that illegal immigrants, narcotics, and smuggled commodities do not gain entrance.
Requirements For Joining The Border Patrol Team
1. Any College Degree:
Most universities will not allow you to graduate with a grade below 2.0. The border patrol wants to ensure that you graduated with honors, rather than making a last-minute donation and having your 1.9 GPA ignored.
2. Clear Credit History:
If you have any credit issues, you will be disqualified. Many people don’t see the connection, but it’s this: if you’re having financial difficulties, someone might be willing to buy you out. As a result, you’re a poor candidate for a position with sensitive data (and often top-secret information). You are simply untrustworthy.
3. A Negative Drug Test:
Typically, this is a urine test. You will be interrogated about your drug use and most likely tested for it. If you test positive for drugs, you’re a poor candidate for a job.
4. A Clean Polygraph Test:
You’ll be questioned about drug use, politics, and larceny, among other things. This is all to determine if you are a risk. You may be turned if you have a history of drug use. You may be turned down if you have poor credit. You could be a mole if you have political grudges e.t.c. You will be disqualified if you tell even one lie.
A federal investigator will question your neighbors about you. Again, this is to determine what type of person you are and whether or not you may ever be considered a bad risk.
5. References:
You’ll need to provide references from your church, previous employers, coworkers, teachers, and so on. These referrals can come from someone who isn’t a direct family member.
The federal investigator will contact them as well. And, yes, the explanation is the same… it is all to see if you could ever be manipulated into doing something immoral in your government position.
6. Exam Scores: You will also need to achieve a high exam score. You will be required to take a test in order to work for the federal government. Your score impacts the types of jobs you are eligible to apply for and be evaluated for.
The obvious goal is to get the highest possible score on a scale of 0 to 100. To help you prepare for the test, study resources are available at bookstores.
Lots of paperwork will be completed as part of the application process. expect it and go ahead and do it.
Conclusions
The Border Patrol of the United States is a federal law enforcement agency. They are part of the US Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection division (CBP). That means the US Congress approves their budget on a yearly basis. They don’t work for any state.
Why would you need college if you have a full-time job with full benefits in the Border Patrol? However, Border Patrol’s parent organization, CBP, does, on occasion, offer Tuition Assistance Programs to help out.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Do New Classes At The Border Patrol Academy Begin?
Although things are moving more slowly owing to the current COVID issue, classes are still being offered for aspiring Border Patrol agents and will continue to be held.
What Expenses Aren’t Covered by Tuition Assistance Program?
The Tuition Assistance Program does not pay the following expenses:
1. Exam fees include those for college courses or credentials, entrance tests, and licenses.
2. Fees for certification or licensing – TAP covers the cost of the coursework required for certification.
3. Entrance fees
4. Courses completed before submitting an application for Tuition Assitance Program benefits
Is it better to go through the academy to become a border patrol agent or to join the military first and then become a border patrol agent?
To work as a border patrol agent, you don’t need any prior military or law enforcement experience. In fact, if you wanted to, you could join right out of high school.
However, you must attend the academy in Artesia, New Mexico for six months.