Continuing education

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shandresha Mitchell
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Education Center at MacDill Air Force Base provides active duty Airmen with a plethora of resources when it comes to continuing their education, whether it is for their Community College of the Air Force degree or other academic degree.

"Once Airmen decide to pursue a degree, they are encouraged to meet with one of the many education counselors. The counselors' primary concern is to help utilize the Airman's time and save Air Force dollars," said Jacqueline DeRocco, 6th Force Support Squadron chief of education and training. "They provide answers to questions that the school may not be able to answer, such as how deployments may affect school, which schools are military friendly and how tuition and fees will affect students as far as out of pocket costs."

Seeing an average of 30 walk-ins, 25 emails per counselor, and an abundance of phone calls daily, the education counselors have their work cut out for them.

"On scale of one to 10, I would give the education office a 10; they are extremely helpful," said Airman 1st Class Takiis Thompson, 6th Comptroller Squadron financial services technician. "I've never had a question that some one cannot answer for me; and if they cannot, they never fail to point me in the right direction."

Airmen apply to a school of their choice to receive their CCAF, associate's, bachelor's or master's degree. Airmen seeking funding from tuition assistance are required to attend a mandatory TA briefing that will give them information about virtual education records, how to apply for TA and how to print out their form.

"The biggest mistake Airmen make is not talking to a counselor to find out all of the different programs available," DeRocco explained. "We try to get military members headed in the right direction so they are not making a lot of mistakes."

If a student is seeking a civilian degree, they are responsible for turning in a degree plan.
DeRocco explained, "With TA, the purpose of the degree plan is to know which classes will count towards a military member's degree and which classes TA will cover."

"I already had a major in mind, since I was working towards it when I was a civilian," said Thompson. "So the consultation was more like a guidance and recommendation process as to which classes to take next."

Tuition Assistance provides $4,500 per fiscal year and covers up to $250 per credit hour. Students are required to maintain a minimum of a 2.0 grade-point average.

"The TA briefing was very helpful so I would encourage everyone to pay attention and listen keenly when they attend that briefing. Thompson said."

This fiscal year the MacDill Education Office has assisted 1,292 Airmen enrolled in college, approved TA for 3,094 classes and provide $2,167,428 in TA.