28 October 2003

NSCC ACTION LETTER 10-03

1. Purpose. To announce an increase in enrollment fees for the NSCC/NLCC Program.

2. Background. Reference (a) provides the basic information and background on enrollment fees. Reference (b) is the last information on enrollment fees. Personnel will note that there has not been a fee increase since June 1997---over six years ago. Because of escalating costs including increased insurance fees, it has now become necessary to raise the fees for joining the NSCC and NLCC.

3. Discussion. After long consideration and consultation with leadership in the field, NHQ is announcing an increase in annual enrollment fees. This is done with reluctance but we find it necessary in order to meet operating expenses and commitments while maintaining a balanced budget. Each year costs rise. To help defray costs to members, the federal grant will be used to partially fund the increase in the enrollment fees by paying for part of the insurance costs associated with membership. Accordingly, the new enrollment fees effective 1 January 2004 are as follows:

NSCC/NLCC fees will now be the same. There are several reasons for this. First, the medical insurance costs are the same for all in the program. Secondly, it costs as much to process and administer to a NLCC cadet as it does to process any other individual. Thirdly, the NLCC cadet can now transition to the NSCC at no additional costs. The cadet's expiration of enrollment will remain the same and the parent will not be required to pay any money to transition a NLCC cadet. In this regard the unit will simply identify the cadet by letter as transitioning to the NSCC. NHQ will issue a new ID card to expire on the cadet's current enrollment date. Units and parents are encouraged to re-enroll the cadet if the expiration of the cadet's enrollment is close at hand (3 months or less).

NSCC/NLCC annual enrollment FEES ARE BASED ON FOUR FACTORS: cost of program operation and administration by NHQ; cost of group accident and health premium; cost of liability insurance premium; and funding of Regional Directors’ allowance. The following breakout of annual enrollment and fees for NSCC/NLCC personnel are effective:

NSCC/NLCC Cadets must be continuously enrolled. Accordingly, the date of a cadet's re-enrollment expiration date will be the same as the date of his or her last previous enrollment plus one year. The only exception to this policy is in the case of cadets granted a leave of absence (LOA) as permitted by Para 1030.1 of NSCC Regulations. In this case, the expiration of enrollment will be one year after the date the LOA expires.

Present NSCC policy (NSCC Action Ltr 9-02) allows cadets who have reached age 18 but have not graduated from high school to remain in the NSCC until September 30th of the year in which they graduate from high school. Accordingly, partial enrollments are acceptable for cadets in this category, to be computed on the basis of four ($4) dollars for each month extended beyond the present expiration of enrollment.

There are only two general types of I. D. Cards; one for NSCC and another for NLCC. All adults will be issued the NSCC ID Card. Only NLCC cadets will get the NLCC unique card. There will be no change in the $3.00 fee assessed for each lost, stolen, mutilated card replaced by NHQ.

4. Action. Unit commanding officers shall implement this revised enrollment fees effective 1 January 2004. Reference (b) is cancelled effective 1 January 2004.