Tuition Assistance Program offers route to college

  • Published
  • By Mary H. Allen
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  For those considering going to college but not sure where the money will come from, the Air Force Tuition Assistance (TA) program may be the answer. The program provides funds for college up to $4,500 per fiscal year, and a maximum of $250 per semester hour. 

"The Wright-Patterson Education Center can assist Airmen in the process and guide them through the Air Force Virtual Education Center (AFVEC) website," said Nellie Jeavons, an education services specialist with the 88th Air Base Wing.    

The website is the key to opening up higher-education opportunities for Airmen by allowing them to complete the entire application online. The website permits Airmen to input their classes, track the progress and manage their TA requests directly through the AFVEC at their website. 

The Education Center and the AFVEC website can assist in receiving tuition assistance for the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) program and the CCAF's Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative Program (AU-ABC) as well. 

"The CCAF program credits Airman's AFSC Technical School and a few more college classes through a participating college, then Airman can easily get their associates degree funded by the Air Force TA program," said Jeavons. 

If the Airman would like to continue and get a baccalaureate degree through the CCAF program, the AU-ABC program is available, and the Education Center can answer any questions. 

"Participating colleges and universities that offer four-year degrees have agreed to accept the CCAF's associate's degree classes and apply it toward the college's baccalaureate degree program, saving the student time and money," Jeavons said. 

This program and others are explained on the AFVEC website.    

After an Airman is accepted and obtains an education plan through a college or university, he or she inputs all the information into the AFVEC website. Once the application is completed and approved, the student inputs the classes he or she will take for that particular semester, then the funds will be released to the college or university. 

"This process is on a time constraint and must be completed 45 to seven days before classes begin," Jeavons said.    

The tuition assistance program is one of the most popular reasons Airmen enlist into the military, especially with tuition costs of colleges and universities rising. 

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, between 2001-02 and 2011-12, prices for undergraduate tuition, room and board at public institutions rose 40 percent. 

For information on the TA program, Wright-Patterson Education Center offers initial TA briefings every Friday at 9 a.m. in Bldg. 50, Area B. Or call 937-904-4801 or send an email to Education Services at wpafbeducation@us.af.mil  .