Enlisted Education

America’s Largest Community College

Once you join the United States Air Force, you’re automatically enrolled in the Community College of the Air Force. It’s not only America’s largest community college, but it’s also the only degree-granting institution in the world dedicated entirely to Air Force personnel. The Community College of the Air Force is also a unique combination of on-duty and voluntary off-duty courses with classes and times that are flexible to meet your needs.

You’ll work toward your associate’s degree in applied science in one of five career areas — aircraft and missile maintenance, electronics and telecommunications, allied health, logistics and resources or public and support services. While you’re earning your degree, you’ll also be getting invaluable experience to help your career take off.

To learn more, contact an Air Force adviser, or visit the Community College of the Air Force website.

Real Education Assistance

The Air Force Tuition Assistance (TA) program is designed to help active-duty personnel pursue voluntary, off-duty educational opportunities. Currently, the program pays 100% (up to $250 per semester hour or equivalent) of the cost of college tuition with a limit of $4500 per fiscal year. Courses and degree programs may be academic or technical and can be taken from two- or four-year institutions on base, off base or by correspondence.

The Post-9/11 Bill is an educational assistance program that provides up to 36 months of benefits to eligible persons for education and training opportunities pursued after August 1, 2009. These benefits may be used for undergraduate and graduate degree programs, vocational and technical training, tutorial assistance, books, supplies and monthly housing. Generally, benefits are payable for 15 years following release from active duty, and may be transferred to spouses or dependent children.

The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) is an assistance program created to attract quality men and women to the Armed Forces. The MGIB program provides up to 36 months of benefits to eligible persons for education and training opportunities. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following release from active duty.

The College Loan Repayment Program (CLRP) is for all non-prior-service persons considering enlistment in the Air Force. If you have taken some college courses and have accumulated debt, this program may be for you. Participants must sign up for this program when signing the enlistment contract. Under CLRP the repayment maximum is $10,000 per recruit.

Assistance for Enlisted Members

The Airman Education and Commissioning Program (AECP) allows Airmen to remain on active duty and continue to receive an income while going to school full-time to complete their bachelor’s degree as an Air Force ROTC cadet. Their job is to go to school as a full-time college student. Airmen selected for AECP receive a tuition and fees scholarship for up to $15,000 per year, as well as a textbook allowance of $600 per year. Those selected may participate for up to three years, depending on their degree programs and previous academics. AECP is open only to specific majors, including nursing, meteorology, physics, math, most engineering majors and certain foreign language and foreign-area studies specialties. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in another field may apply to participate in AECP to earn a second bachelor’s degree in one of the above-listed fields. Upon graduation, AECP cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants with an active-duty service commitment of at least four years. To learn more, contact an Air Force adviser.

Airman Scholarship and Commissioning Program (ASCP) is for selected Airmen who are released from active duty and enlisted in the Air Force Reserve (Obligated Reserve Section). The ASCP program offers active-duty enlisted personnel the opportunity to earn a commission while completing their bachelor’s degree as an Air Force ROTC cadet. They receive a tuition and fees scholarship for up to $15,000 per year, as well as a textbook allowance of $600 per year. ASCP scholarships are available for two to four years and are open. They are awarded in a variety of fields, including technical (engineering, meteorology, architecture, etc.), nontechnical, nursing, prehealth and foreign language areas, including graduate studies. Airmen with some or no college credit may apply for the program. If selected, Airmen may use Montgomery GI Bill benefits and also receive a tax-free monthly stipend of $250 to $400 depending on what year of school they are in. Graduates are commissioned as second lieutenants and will then be returned to active duty (typically within 60 days of commissioning) for at least four years. To learn more, contact an Air Force adviser.

The Academy Preparatory School better known as the “Prep School,” is designed to academically, physically and mentally prepare qualified young men and women to enter the U.S. Air Force Academy. Located on the Academy grounds, this 10-month school provides intensive academic preparation to make selected applicants more competitive for entrance into the Academy. The Prep School’s program emphasizes the same four areas as the Academy: academic, military, athletic and character development. The curriculum includes math, English and general sciences. Students at the Prep School are addressed as “cadet candidates.” To learn more, contact an Air Force adviser.

Leaders Encouraging Airman Development (LEAD) Program allows commanders to seek out outstanding and deserving qualified Airmen for appointments to the Air Force Academy and AFROTC scholarship programs. To learn more, contact an Air Force adviser.

Scholarships for Outstanding Airmen to ROTC (SOAR) are designed to nominate up to 50 people for ROTC scholarships, which pay most tuition and all fees. Military members will separate from the Air Force while earning a degree. SOARs are awarded for two to four years, depending on how many years you have remaining in your bachelor’s degree program. Airmen with some or no college credit may apply for the program. Scholarships are awarded in a variety of fields, including technical (engineering, meteorology, architecture, etc.), nontechnical, nursing, prehealth and foreign language areas. SOAR cadets are provided with a tuition and fees scholarship not to exceed a set amount each year. To learn more, contact an Air Force adviser.

Professional Officer Course-Early Release Program (POC-ERP) offers active-duty Airmen (who can complete all bachelor’s degree and commissioning requirements within two years) an opportunity for an early release from the active-duty Air Force to enter the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). This program is open to students in all majors. If selected, you would separate from the active-duty Air Force, join an Air Force ROTC detachment and become a full-time college student. You must pursue a bachelor’s degree and will be commissioned as a second lieutenant upon graduation and completion of the two-year program. You will then be returned to active duty (typically within 60 days of commissioning) for at least four years. If selected for POC-ERP, you will no longer be collecting military pay and benefits. To learn more about POC-ERP, contact an Air Force adviser.

The Physician Assistant Training Program offers qualified individuals the advanced training they need to provide expert medical care to military personnel and their families. Only active duty Airmen are eligible to apply for this program. Click here for more information.

Download the Physician's Assistant PDF for more information

Become An Expert In Your Career Field

After completing Basic Military Training (BMT), Airmen begin technical training in their career field specialties. You’ll learn from highly trained instructors with years of experience in the field. You’ll study and experience hands-on training. Best of all, you’ll earn college credit while you attend.

Installations where you could attend training: Goodfellow, Lackland and Sheppard Air Force Bases in Texas; Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi; and Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

Earn Money For College

The Air Force ROTC program is available at nearly 1000 colleges and universities across the country and offers scholarships to high school and college students with outstanding academic and leadership qualities.

Air Force ROTC offers one- to four-year scholarships on a competitive basis to both high school and college students. Scholarship recipients will receive partial or full tuition, as well as a nontaxable monthly stipend. Many colleges also offer an additional subsidy for tuition, fees and books to ROTC cadets.

Through the ROTC experience, you’ll be able to complete your bachelor’s degree and receive outstanding leadership training that will prepare you to succeed in the 21st Century.

To learn more about how the Air Force can help with your college education, contact an adviser or visit the official Air Force ROTC website.

Download: ROTC Engineering Internship Information.

An Education Like No Other

In order to attend the Air Force Academy, you must be nominated for appointment by a U.S. Congressman or Senator or the Vice President of the United States. The Academy will give you instructions to help you with the nomination process when the time comes.

But your first step is to start early. The best time is when you’re still attending JUNIOR high school. That’s when you should begin planning and preparing for your high school academic course choices, as well as starting your physical fitness training. Both activities can put you a step ahead of other applicants.

To further improve your admission chances, take the following high school courses and aim for above-average grades:

• English — four years, including a college-prep course on composition
• Mathematics — four years, including algebra, geometry, trigonometry and calculus
• Basic sciences — four years, including chemistry, physics, computers and additional courses in the sciences
• Social sciences — two years, including history, economics and government
• Foreign Language — two years

There are more guidelines regarding admissions and physical fitness requirements, all detailed in the Air Force Academy application package available from your high school guidance counselor. The admissions process is lengthy, so start at least a year or more before the date you’d like to enter the Academy.

To learn more about joining the Air Force or entering the Academy, contact an adviser today or visit the Air Force Academy admissions website.

Download the Air Force Academy is for Airmen brochure.