Hitting the books for the New Year

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Matthew Hubby
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  As the year draws to a close many people begin thinking about their goals for the upcoming year. For many, these resolutions are physical - lose weight or score better on their physical training test. For others, the resolutions are emotional - be nicer to your friends or tell their spouse "I love you" more often. But there is one resolution that can often be overlooked: returning to school.

The Dover Air Force Base, Del., Education and Training office has an important mission - to provide comprehensive and flexible adult higher education services to the active duty service members, Department of Defense civilians and family members by offering guidance counseling and academic advisement. They also provide proctored exams for personnel enrolled in distance learning courses, Professional Military Education, and upgrade training.

"Many Airmen don't know is that you can get your Community College of the Air Force degree while pursuing you bachelors," said Portia Fennell, chief of education and training with the 436th Force Support Squadron. "They must know what classes are needed in addition to the crets received from on-the-job training, as well as how to refrain from doubling the workload."

There are many different resources and programs to assist Airmen in getting their degree. The first is the education office's guidance counselor, who can help steer Airmen on the right track. Airmen can also go directly to the school of their choice and speak with them about their plans, to see if the school is a proper fit for their goals.

It can be intimidating for some, having never attended college or for people who have taken an extended leave of absence, said Fennell. "But the education office is here to enlighten Airmen about resources and programs available for them."

On-base classes cater to not only CCAF, but bachelor and master's degree classes as well. The choice of school is not limited to just those held on base, as approximately 75 percent of Airmen currently enrolled in classes do so online.

"The most important thing about going to school, is keeping the education office informed of any changes," said Fennell. "If a course gets extended or cut, or if someone drops a class, this affects their tuition assistance and we'll need to make changes."

Airmen are authorized $4,500 in tuition assistance every fiscal year. They are allowed up to $250 a semester hour, and the funds will go toward the airmen's next highest degree. Tuition assistance will also cover one certification course over an Airman's career; however, the course must not exceed a cost of $4,500 or take longer than a year.

Airman can apply for tuition assistance no earlier than 30 days before their class and no later than the day before their class. Any requests submitted on or after the first day of class will be considered late and will require a memorandum for record. In the case of a dropped or canceled class, paperwork reflecting the change in classes must be brought to the education office in order to delete the tuition assistance request.

Enlisted members applying for tuition assistance must complete their course of work before their date of separation. Officers utilizing the program incur a two-year active-duty service commitment. Tuition assistance covers tuition and mandatory, reimbursable or refundable fees for instruction such as: laboratory, technology and shop fees. Tuition assistance will not cover books, matriculation fees, graduation fees, parking fees, credit evaluations, medical or health fees, application or registration fees.

"Airmen who are new to tuition assistance should visit the education and training office to get their initial tuition assistance briefing," said Fennell. "It is important for them to get all of the information they can about the proper way to apply for tuition assistance so that the paperwork isn't bounced back."

There are other options as well for Airmen who do not want to undergo traditional schooling. The College Level Examination Program and the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support program allow Airmen to directly test their knowledge in certain areas. Both are free to Airmen through the education office.

"The CCAF will take upward to 30 credit hours from CLEP and DANTES tests," said Fennell. "That's about half of a CCAF degree. Most schools will also accept CLEP and DANTES credit hours for their degree plans as well."

Once Airmen get their bachelor degree, some may desire to go from enlisted to officer.
The education office provides counseling on the different commissioning programs available to Airmen, as well as what might be the best option for them to pursue.
For Airmen interested in teaching after separation or retirement, the education office is working with the Troops to teachers program, which helps people transition from the military into a teaching career.

"Having a solid Education is important," said Fennell. "It enhances careers and the quality of life of Airmen and increases their potential. Not only for them, but for their spouses and dependants as well, the education office is here to guide those interested in the pursuit of knowledge."