Education office helps Airmen continue schooling

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Candy Miller
  • 82nd Training Wing, Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The education of Airmen is of high importance to the Air Force, in fact, it offers a variety of programs to help its Airmen enhance their education - through base education centers.

Donna Collins, the education services flight chief said education service's mission is "to provide education opportunities in support of mission readiness, professional and personal development, quality retention of personnel and support in recruitment."

The main emphases of the education center are Air Force Tuition Assistance, testing services, and counseling the base population on academic and vocational opportunities.

"The Educational Services Program supports long-range Air Force goals for maintaining a high-quality force and enhancing professional and personal development, recruitment, retention, and readiness," Collins said.

She said the education center provides educational services from learning basic skills through graduate level degrees. They also help active duty members grow in their careers from the time they enter the service until they retire or separate.

Collins said there are many education options for members including vocational certificates, associate degrees, baccalaureate degrees and graduate degrees.

The education office helps Airmen get tuition assistance.

"Many colleges have special tuition rates for military members," said Collins, "Airmen qualify for other sources of assistance such as Pell Grants, scholarships. That would be worked with the individual university considering other costs that are not covered by the Air Force tuition assistance program. "

She said requirements and income limits vary between programs.

The education office coordinates with local professional military education and on-base school staff to teach CCAF degree applicable courses, said Collins.

She said Airmen can complete courses through the base's three partner on-base schools, Vernon College, Wayland Baptist University and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. Local colleges and distance learning are also options.