Education center offers opportunities, goals for Airmen to attain CCAF degrees

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stacy Sanchez
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
In today's Air Force, many Airmen join the service for one reason -- education. 

The 95th Mission Support Squadron Human Resources Development Education and Training Complex here provides Edwards Airmen with a one-stop shop for perusing their educational goals. 

The Education Services help the Edwards community acquire information about various colleges available on- and off-base either through formal education or through online distance learning. The Education Services also provide information to enlisted Airmen about their Community College of the Air Force. 

They offer academic counseling to help Airmen obtain a CCAF degree, associate, bachelor or a master degree, said Michael Frye, 95th Mission Support Squadron education services officer. 

"A CCAF degree is definitely the way to go for an Airman," Mr. Frye said. "It doesn't mean that Airmen should exclusively peruse a CCAF degree, but a CCAF degree is going to be mandatory for a senior rate recommendation on an enlisted performance report." 

The CCAF provides a two-year educational program for the active-duty, National Guard and Reserve members. It offers 66 degrees in five general areas that are aligned with the Air Force Specialty Codes. Each degree program consists of 64 semester hours and combines Air Force education and training and education requirement obtained from civilian education sources. 

"We know that with Airmen's job obligations it is sometimes hard to attend school, but through tuition assistance we can provide a way for them to complete their CCAF degree," said Cynthia Morse, 95th Mission Support Squadron education counselor. 

The Air Force pays 100 percent of an Airman's tuition if it does not exceed certain limits, Mr. Frye said. 

Through tuition assistance, active-duty Airmen are eligible to use up to $4,500 per fiscal year, and $250 per semester hour. Tuition assistance also allows Airmen to obtain their associate, bachelor's, master's or license program per military member. Airmen can obtain a second associates with the CCAF if it is in a foreign language or area studies. 

If an Airman decides to exceed $250 per semester hour, they are probably going to have to pay out of their pocket the remaining cost, Mr. Frye said. Airmen must adjust and limit themselves to stay within the spending limit. 

"If they do so, it's a great deal since the Air Force is covering their tuition 100 percent," Mr. Frye said. 

Per quarter, between 300 to 450 active-duty members took advantage of their educational opportunities in 2006, Mr. Frye said. 

"The vast majority of enlisted Airmen who are selected to senior and chief positions are selected at twice the rate if they are CCAF graduate," Mr. Frye said. "It's very important once you've reached the senior enlisted ranks to be a CCAF graduate." 

Making an appointment with a guidance counselor can help Airmen find out what is the best way to pursue their education, Ms. Morse said. 

"Our counselors will sit down with Airmen and discuss what their goals are to figure out what area would best interest them," Ms. Morse said. 

Now with the changes in the service, a lot of information is available on the Internet through the Air Force Virtual Education Center through the Air Force Portal, Mr. Frye said. Airmen can research and access a lot if information about persuing their educational goals. 

On the Web site Airmen can find any on-base degree program that is available and what they provide, Mr. Frye said. They can also get linked directly to the degree programs, apply for tuition assistance and find testing schedules. 

"It is very important for our Airmen to pursue a degree," Ms. Morse said. "The military is very important when it comes to training highly effective individuals, and we would like to encourage them with their education."