Initial Counseling Briefing30 FSS/FSDE

Vandenberg AFB Education Office Hours and Phone # Air Force Education Benefits MilTA Policy and Step-by-Step Procedures Student Responsibilities Supervisor Responsibilities On-Base Colleges Air Force Testing and CLEP/DSST Testing Community College of the Air Force Air Force and CCAF Initiatives General Education Mobile (GEM) Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative (ABC)

CSP (Career Skills Program)Resources Peterson’s Educational Tools

Overview

Vandenberg Air Force Base Education Office

We are open: 0730-1600Monday – Friday(Closed 3rd Thur, 1300 for training)

We are located at:641 Utah Avenue Bldg 13640

Phone: 605-5904

“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”

Air Force Education Benefits

Tuition assistance provided to AD/RES/ANG AF provided you do not hold degree at that level (CCAF Exception) $4500 per fiscal year$250 SH$166.67 QHNo Fees paid

Degrees/Credentialing AvailableCCAF Degree Associates Degree (obtain this first if you want civilian degree and CCAF) Bachelors Degree Undergrad degrees - max is 124 SH (186 QH)

Masters DegreeMaximum is 42 SH (70 QH)

AF COOL (AF Credentialing Opportunities on-line) based on AFSC, pays up to $4500/lifetime, fees for exam(s), prep courses, books, etc, plus recertification fees Can obtain more than one!https://www.my.af.mil/afvecprod/afvec/Public/COOL

Air Force Education Benefits

Logon to AFVEC - www.my.af.mil Check accredited schools (left side under MOU) Understand regional and national accreditation Talk to other students (for CCAF – discuss with

counselor) Research, research, research!!! Use TADECIDE (can

compare up to 3 schools at a time) Apply to school, receive degree plan (No Degree Plan is

needed for CCAF) Now time to create education goal, E-degree plan, and

upload degree plan – evaluated or non-evaluated

STEP 1 – DECIDE ON GOAL

STEP 2 – CREATE GOAL/E-DEGREEEducation GoalCreate in AFVEC No Degree Plan is needed for CCAF

Use tutorial on AFVEC (QH checkmark)Degree Plans Unevaluated (off website) You can only take two courses

on an unevaluated degree planEvaluated - lists all required courses

Includes transfer credits (courses, exams, etc.) Includes student’s name, remaining credits required, signature of

Registrar Plan will need to be approved by Ed Center (can take

up to 2 days, so allow plenty of time)

STEP 3 – APPLY FOR TA

***IMPORTANT: *** CAN ONLY APPLY 45 TO 7 DAYS PRIOR TO TERM START DATE

Click “Start a Funding Request”Select current goalEnsure all fields are correctSelect EXACT start/stop dates; cost per unit

(fees will not be paid by AF)Review for accuracyCAC signature

Helpful Tips: Funding Request

Give Yourself Time: Be aware of the 45-7 day window for submissions. It’s your education. It’s your responsibility to get it submitted on time.

Double Check Your Work. Make sure to review before you sign and send. Make sure of the following: Did I choose the correct Goal? (CCAF vs. Bachelor’s goal) Are the TERM dates are correct? Class start date vs. Term start date. Course Codes. Should read as ENG 101. Check your degree plan. Verify the Course Cost Information: SH vs QH, credit cost, total cost…etc.

Make sure you’re taking the correct courses. Ask yourself if the course is on your degree plan. Remember, there is a lifetime cap with credits so make sure you’re taking the right courses that are approved for your degree program.

Check to ensure your supervisor is listed correctly and that they are present to review/approve.

Incorrect TA Funding Request

Mil TA Policy

Application windowNo sooner than 45 and no later than 7 days prior to

TERM start date

Course approvalMilTA does NOT pay for retakes of courses already

passed Begin by taking one class at a time. Then advance to

two. Per AFI, you can take up to 9 credits at a time based on grade history (includes ALL grades!)Apply for TA before you sign up for classes.

Automatic Disapproval if you are currently on/have UIF Failed PT Test/Non-Current Referral EPR/OPR Control Roster Low GPA (all grades count towards academic

performance after 15 SH taken for undergrad, 9 at grad) Undergraduate 2.0 Graduate 3.0

Supervisors have the right to disapprove TA request for any reason

Mil TA Policy

If TA not available to you, use alternate funding sources GI Bill / Post 9-11 Pell Grants On Base Private Orgs

ALTERNATE FUNDING

Mil TA Procedure

Degree/Program Allowed change of program one timeKeep in mind the Maximum is 124 SH for

Undergraduate, 42 SH for GraduateEnsure you’re aware of: Retainability requirement (DOS & class end date)ADSC (Active Duty Service Commitment) Officers Only Supervisor Info correctRater/Anyone in chain of commandVerify email address/availability of approver

Mil TA ProcedureReimbursement - we encourage you to work with your school if you need more time to finish “I” (incomplete) grade - not converted to a passing grade

within 120 days of class end dateYou will pay back your TA cost ifYou receive “D” or “F” grade at the undergraduate

level You receive “C” “D” or “F” grade at the graduate levelYou can retake a failed class after it has been processed

for reimbursement - contact Ed center to process TA request

Mil TA ProcedureWithdrawals Immediately contact school & Ed Center If you decide not to take a course PRIOR to class start

date, officially drop with school, then you can delete your TA document

If you withdrawal AFTER the class start date but PRIOR to the drop date for the school, provide Ed Center a letter from the school stating there is no cost incurred

For withdrawals due to no fault of your own-i.e. emergency situation and/or mission changes, a waiver may be requested through milta.reimb@us.af.mil

Student ResponsibilitiesApply in advance (45-7 days) of TERM date GPA – 2.0 Undergrad / 3.0 Grad - calculated after 15

semester hours for undergraduate and 9 semester hours for graduate courses

Deployment & TDY (verify internet connectivity) Provide TA document to your school if required (check

with your school)Choose the right degree for you College Fees (not covered by Mil TA) Foreign Transcripts Review (see Ed Center for info) Students are ultimately responsible for the accuracy of

their records and for timely updates, changes, etc…

Grades (multiple auto emails will be sent to you - before, after class end date - these are reminders)

School is responsible for updating grades/you contact them after 30 days from class end date

Missing grades Contact Ed center if 45 days from class date and multiple

attempts have been made to contact school to input gradeReimbursement will begin 60 days from class end date

E-mail for reimbursements is Milta.reimb@us.af.milSeparating/Retiring - grade has to be posted 2 weeks

before

Student Responsibilities

Supervisor Responsibilities

Discuss strategies for successApprove/Disapprove TADo not just auto approveThink about course load, work duties, family life

Explain financial liabilityDebt/Reimbursement NotificationSupervisors receive same email as member

CLEP and DSST Testing and Proctored exams Test out of needed credits (check with school if they

accept) Register/Schedule through University of La Verne Free for active duty (First time) Study/preparation are needed to pass

Military Testing WAPS Testing All PME testing DLPT/DLAB (foreign language testing) CDC testing Tuesday only at 1300 (see your UTM)

Uniform is required for AF testing

Air Force and CLEP/DSST Testing

Five-Level Internship First Priority Worth 8 semester hours (SH)

Residency: Sixteen SH through "affiliated school" coursework or internship credit

Sixty Four Total Semester Hours: in five areas Physical Education (4 SH): satisfied through AF Basic Military Training Technical Education (24 SH): tech school, internship, 6 SH in computer science Management/LMMS (6 SH): normally completed through ALS; ALS provides 9 SH Program Electives (15 SH): extra credit from tech ed, LMMS, gen ed; natural science General Education: 5 areas--oral/written com, math, social science, humanities

Degree Requirements must be completed BEFORE separation, retirement, or commissioning

Community College of the Air Force

Air Force Initiatives

General Education Mobile (GEM)www.my.af.mil/afvec/Public/GEMPlans.aspx

Take courses through schools in GEM program without being “enrolled” in program at school

Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative (ABC)www.my.af.mil/afvec/Public/ABCPrograms.aspx

Schools in ABC program will accept ALL military credits toward Bachelor’s program

Resources Base Education Center -- 605-5904 Initial, Academic and CCAF counseling GI Bill Informational Brief (monthly) Commissioning Panel (quarterly) Accessing Higher Education (AHE)Air Force Virtual Education Center (AFVEC)www.my.af.mil

Department of Veteran Affairs for info on GI Billswww.gibill.va.gov

QUESTIONS?