LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
With the fall semester beginning in the next few weeks, the base education services office wants all active-duty Airmen to become aware of what kind of assistance is out there for furthering their education.
"Every year, every individual gets $4,500 put into his personal educational account that he can use for tuition assistance or a certification program," said Master Sgt. Eric Culver, superintendent of education services. "The way they figure the money is they give out $250 per credit hour. It comes out to approximately $750 per class. If someone wants to take a class that costs less than that, the extra money goes right back into his or her education account."
There are limitations on what the money can pay for, though.
"That money only pays for tuition assistance and certain fees that go along with the courses, such as student activity fees, library fees or Internet fees," said Sergeant Culver.
Sergeant Culver also said the benefits extend for as long as the person stays in school.
"For some reason, if something comes up and I can't go to school, then I can put my education on hold and pick it back up whenever I want, for whatever reason," he said. "Schooling isn't always continuous. For instance, someone might take off in the summer. Someone might get deployed. Some people just want a break."
In addition to tuition assistance, the office offers the College Level Examination Program and the Defense Agency Non-Traditional Education Support tests.
"We offer those two times a day, at 8 a.m. and 12 p.m.," said Sergeant Culver. "People can come in and take their exams to place out of their freshman and sophomore level courses. They are free for anyone who holds an active-duty military ID card.
Education services also offers graduations for those who wouldn't normally be able to have a graduation.
"We do Community College of the Air Force and distance learning graduations," said Sergeant Culver. "This year, it will be a graduation with all of them rolled into one. We are the No. 1 education services unit in the Air Force. We've graduated the most from CCAF, and we've given out the most in tuition assistance."
Another program the office will be handling once it is approved is the new GI Bill.
"Nothing has come out in writing as Air Force guidance on the program yet," said Sergeant Culver.
"What we do know is that it's supposed to go into effect Aug. 1, 2009, and there are substantial changes to the makeup of the GI Bill as it is now. We have to wait for the legislation to clear out, but the two biggest changes will be the ability to transfer your benefits to a spouse or family member and the ability to take advantage of the GI Bill even if you didn't sign up for it."
The 16-person office consists of dedicated employees willing to do what it takes to get Airmen educated, said Sergeant Culver.
"Education goes hand-in-hand with their job knowledge, and the more they learn in school, the more they can apply it in their jobs and throughout life," he said. "It's a good mixture. You take your Air Force knowledge and college knowledge and put it together to become a more well-rounded person."
Sergeant Culver has taken advantage of the assistance himself.
"I have completed CCAF degrees and am working toward a bachelor's in psychology. I'm a few courses away. Then I'll take my break," he said with a smile.