Looking to start classes but don’t know where to start? Published Aug. 9, 2013 By Compiled By: 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The first place to start is by getting your transcripts sent to the school you wish to attend. They will develop a degree plan that lists the courses you will be required to complete in order to obtain a degree. Next, email a copy of the degree plan to the education center (edcenter@us.af.mil) and they will upload the degree plan in to your education record. Before you can start taking classes, you will need to get an initial Tuition Assistance brief from the Education Office. Between Tuition Assistance, the College Level Examination Program, Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support and various GI BILL programs, completing your degree program can be affordable and less hassle than you think. Contact the education center for more information. Tuition Assistance The Tuition Assistance Program is a program that pays for most (if not all) of a service member's education. Currently TA covers $250 dollars a credit hour and up to $4,500 per year. The only time the member has to pay money for a class is if the class exceeds those amounts. Tuition Assistance can still be used for fiscal year 2013, as long as the class is started before October 1. College Level Examination Program Looking to get a few college credits and feel you are knowledgeable in a topic at a college-level basis? You may be eligible to take the end of course exam, and by passing it, get credit for the whole course. This process is called the College Level Examination Program. The CLEP is a group of standardized tests created by the College Board that assess your knowledge on several college-level subject areas. CLEP tests are offered at many universities across the United States and all bases all over the world. To CLEP a test in Columbus, Military members and civilians can take computer-based CLEP exams in the Mississippi State University Assessment and Testing Center. Military members will not be charged the exam fee for the first-time administration of any CLEP exam. Civilians will be charged the full exam fee, which is not refundable. Register online at www.ats.msstate.edu/testing or call 325-6610 for more information. (NOTE: In order for Military Members to get CCAF credit, you will need to place the Designated Institution (DI) code 6139 on the CLEP answer sheet, allowing credits to be applied to your CCAF Web Progress Report automatically if you pass the exam. Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support DANTES exams will be given in the Education Office until August 29. DANTES offers credit by Exam tests, Entrance Tests and other tests such as GED and Praxis tests. If you would like a listing of the courses offered, please stop by the Education Office or call 434-2561. Montgomery GI Bill The Montgomery GI Bill is an education benefit that is earned by members of Active Duty, Selected Reserve and National Guard Armed Forces and their families. It is used by those individuals to cover the costs associated with getting an education. There are several programs that are each administered differently based on a person's eligibility and duty status. The GI Bill can be used to pay for many different programs such as college, business technical or vocational courses, distance learning courses, certification tests, and more. The Montgomery GI Bill is an education benefit worth more than $53,000. To qualify for the GI Bill: · You contribute $100 a month for the first 12 months you are in active duty, or qualify under VEAP conversion. · You have completed High School or have an equivalency certificate before you apply for benefits. · You have served at least two years on active duty. Your GI Bill monthly payment rate is determined by two factors: your student status (full time, half time, or part time) and your duty status. In most cases you would be considered a full time student if you are taking 12 or more credits per semester. If you are on active duty the GI Bill will only reimburse you for the actual tuition and expenses. But once you leave active duty service the GI Bill will pay the full payment rate no matter how much the tuition costs. Information on the GI Bill has been adapted from military.com. For more information on how to use the GI Bill please contact the education center. (Adapted from military.com) Post-9/11 GI Bill In July of 2008 the Post-9/11 GI Bill was signed into law, creating a new robust education benefits program rivaling the WWII Era GI Bill of Rights. The new Post 9/11 GI Bill provides education benefits for service members who have served on active duty for 90 or more days since Sept. 10, 2001. These benefits are tiered based on the number of days served on active duty, creating a benefit package that gives current and previously activated National Guard and Reserve members the same benefits as active duty service members. Once the VA has received your application they will determine your eligibility for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and issue you a Certificate of Eligibility. You can apply using the VA Form 22-1990. The form includes the instructions needed to begin the process. Information on the Post 9/11 GI Bill has been adapted from military.com. For more information on how to use the Post 9/11 GI Bill please contact the education center. (Adapted from military.com) Frequently Asked Questions Q: What is Tuition Assistance going to be like for the next fiscal year? A: We have not been given any guidance on what or if any changes will occur. Q: What if my tuition rate is higher than the $250 amount? A: Anything over and above the $250 per credit hour is paid for by the member. An example would be taking a three hour class that costs $300 per credit hour. The TA would pay $750 of that and the member would be responsible for the remaining $150. Q: Can I sign up for TA during this fiscal year, even if my class ends during the next fiscal year? A: Yes, as long as the course you are taking starts before Oct. 1, it will be approved and paid for no matter if there are changes made to the TA program. Q: Does the Education Office still offer CLEP exams? A: Military members and civilians can take computer-based CLEP exams in the Mississippi State University Assessment and Testing Center. Military members will not be charged the exam fee for the first-time administration of any CLEP exam. Civilians will be charged the full exam fee, which is not refundable. Register online at www.ats.msstate.edu/testing or call 325-6610 for more information. (NOTE: In order for Military Members to get CCAF credit, you will need to place the Designated Institution (DI) code 6139 on the CLEP answer sheet, allowing credits to be applied to your CCAF Web Progress Report automatically if you pass the exam. Q: Does the Education Office offer DANTES Exams? A: DANTES exams will be given in the education office until August 29. If you would like a listing of the courses offered, please stop by the Education Office or give us at call at 434-2561. Q: Are there any study materials out there for CLEP or DANTES tests? A: -- Columbus AFB Library, ext. 2934. You can borrow textbooks to help you prepare for the exams. Q: Where do I go to find out more information about transferring my Montgomery GI Bill to the Post 9/11 GI Bill? Is this something I should do? A: Each situation is a case by case scenario. While some may benefit from the transfer to the Post 9/11, others may not. These are some great websites to find out a comparison between the two. https://www.gibill.va.gov/resources/benefits_rousources/benefit_somparison_tools.html or http://www.military.com/education/gi-bill/guidance-for-choosing-between-gi-bill-programs.html Q: What are your testing dates and times? A: DANTES tests, CDC testing, and Professional Military Education tests are given on Tuesday and Thursday each week at 8 a.m. or 1 p.m. Q: What schools can I attend? A: You can attend any school you want, as long as they are Regionally or Nationally accredited. Q: What schools do we have on base? A: We currently have East Mississippi Community College, Embry-Riddle, and Saint Leo University.