When you join the Air Force, you’re automatically enrolled in the Community College of the Air Force and will begin earning credits toward a college degree as soon as you begin basic training. It is America’s largest community college and the only degree-granting institution in the world dedicated entirely to Air Force personnel.

Through a unique combination of on-duty and voluntary off-duty courses, you’ll work toward your associate degree in applied science in one of five career areas—aircraft and missile maintenance, electronics and telecommunications, allied health, logistics and resources or public and support services. You’ll earn college credit just by learning and doing your job while you also gain invaluable experience to help your career take off.

The LEAD program is an ongoing effort to give our best and brightest Airmen the opportunity to earn a college degree with appointments to the Air Force Academy and Academy Prep School.

Each year, unit and wing commanders nominate highly qualified enlisted and reserve Airmen who exhibit officer potential to 170 appointments available for the Academy and the Academy Prep School. The prestigious Air Force Academy gives students a world-class education and cost-free tuition in exchange for their commitment to serve. The Academy Prep School is a 10-month program designed to prepare candidates for the Academy.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OUTSTANDING AIRMEN TO ROTC (SOAR) Enlisted Airmen who strive to attend or complete college may apply to the Scholarship for Outstanding Airmen to ROTC (SOAR) program. SOAR nominates up to 50 people for two- to four-year ROTC scholarships that cover most tuition and all fees. Scholarships are awarded in a variety of fields, including technical, nontechnical, nursing, pre-health and foreign language areas. Those who are accepted will temporarily separate from the Air Force while completing their degree and rejoin upon graduation.

THE AIRMAN SCHOLARSHIP AND COMMISSIONING PROGRAM (ASCP) Active duty, enlisted Airmen may apply for the Airman Scholarship and Commissioning Program (ASCP). This program offers Airmen the opportunity to earn a commission while completing their bachelor’s degree in a variety of fields, including technical, nontechnical, nursing, pre-health and foreign language areas. Those selected temporarily separate from active duty Air Force to join ROTC and become a full-time student at a participating college. Participants receive tuition and fees scholarships for up to $15,000 per year and a textbook allowance of $600 per year.

PROFESSIONAL OFFICER COURSE-EARLY RELEASE PROGRAM (POC-ERP) Active duty Airmen can take advantage of the Professional Officer Course-Early Release Program (POC-ERP) to receive an early release from active duty Air Force to enter Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC). This program is open to students in all majors who are within two years of completing all bachelor’s degree and commissioning requirements. Those who are selected separate from the active duty Air Force to join ROTC and become a full-time student at a participating college to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Upon graduation and completion of the two-year program, participants will be commissioned as Second Lieutenants and returned to active duty for at least four years. Those selected for POC-ERP will no longer collect military pay and benefits until graduation.

THE NURSE ENLISTED COMMISSIONING PROGRAM (NECP) The Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program (NECP) offers active duty Airmen an opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an in-demand career in the Air Force. Participating students remain on active duty and continue to receive an income while going to school full time at a college or university that participates in ROTC. Participants receive a tuition and fees scholarships for up to $15,000 per year, as well as a textbook allowance of $600 per year. Those selected may participate for up to three years, depending on their degree program and previous academics. Students will commission upon passing the National Council Licensure Examination, and then attend Commissioned Officer Training and the Nurse Transition Program.

Physician’s Assistants are an in-demand and highly respected career within the Air Force. Active duty Airmen can apply to the Physician Assistant Training program. The qualified individuals accepted into the program will receive the advanced training they need to provide expert medical care to military personnel and their families.

The Air Force Tuition Assistance (TA) program is designed to help active duty personnel pursue voluntary, off-duty educational opportunities. Currently, the program pays 100 percent (up to $250 per semester hour or equivalent) of the cost of college tuition with a limit of $4,500 per fiscal year. Courses and degree programs may be academic or technical and can be taken from two- or four-year institutions on base, off base or by correspondence.

THE POST-9/11 GI BILL Eligible, active duty Airmen can receive up to 36 months of benefits for education and training opportunities outside of the Air Force through the Post-9/11 GI Bill. These benefits may be used for undergraduate and graduate degree programs, vocational and technical training, tutorial assistance, books, supplies and monthly housing. Generally, benefits are payable for 15 years following release from active duty and may be transferred to spouses or dependent children.

THE MONTGOMERY GI BILL (MGIB) A veteran benefit program, the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) was created to assist military members in paying for college. Eligible, enlisted Airmen may receive up to 36 months of benefits for education and training opportunities outside of the Air Force. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship or on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following release from active duty.

Air Force ROTC is a scholarship program available at nearly 1,000 colleges and universities across the country. The program can help you study at the college of your choice while earning money for school and preparing to be an Officer in the Air Force after graduation. For the most up-to-date information, visit the official Air Force ROTC website.

The prestigious Air Force Academy is a university that offers world-class education and cost-free tuition in exchange for your commitment to serve in the Air Force. If you have a proven track record of leadership skills and academic excellence, and you’ve set your sights on becoming an Officer in the Air Force, consider the Air Force Academy. For the most complete information on how to prepare and apply, visit the Academy Admissions website.

College students working on an engineering or meteorological degree who are within 24 months of graduation can receive money through the Air Force Technical Degree Sponsorship Program (TDSP). Each candidate must successfully meet and complete an evaluation by the Officer Training School (OTS) board. Selected candidates get paid to attend school full time and receive active duty E-3 (Airman first class) enlisted pay along with housing and food allowances and medical and dental benefits. Upon graduation, you’ll be commissioned as an officer and get started in an Air Force job specific to your technical skills.

The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) allows Air Force Officers to pursue graduate studies as a full-time active duty assignment. Located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, AFIT is a world leader in defense technological education, research and consultation and is the Air Force’s graduate school of engineering and management as well as its institution for professional continuing education.

AFIT’s Air Force Graduate School for Engineering and Management is among the nation’s top engineering schools and enables officers to earn a master’s degree or Ph.D. in one of more than 20 areas of specialization.

Helping train and equip warriors of the future for the cyber domain, the Air Force Institute of Technology Center for Cyberspace Research (CCR) conducts defense-focused research at the graduate level. This forward-looking center responds to the changing educational and research needs of the Air Force, the Department of Defense and the federal government.

AFIT’s Civilian Institution program enables officers to pursue specializations not available at AFIT by attending one of more than 400 world-renowned universities, research centers, hospitals and industrial organizations.

Active duty personnel can pursue voluntary, off-duty educational opportunities with assistance from the Air Force Tuition Assistance (TA) program. Currently, the program pays 100 percent (up to $250 per semester hour or equivalent) of the cost of college tuition with a limit of $4,500 per fiscal year. Courses and degree programs may be academic or technical and can be taken from two- or four-year institutions on base, off base or by correspondence.

Officers can step out of their current specialty and focus on becoming a more effective leader through the Squadron Officer School (SOS). Participants will initially gain a deeper understanding of the Air Force’s core values and a stronger appreciation for the Air Force as an institution. Then, through classes and field exercises, they’ll develop leadership skills, experiencing firsthand how their skills as a leader directly influence the success of an entire group of Airmen.

Eligible, active duty Airmen can receive up to 36 months of benefits for education and training opportunities outside of the Air Force through the Post-9/11 GI Bill. These benefits may be used for undergraduate and graduate degree programs, vocational and technical training, tutorial assistance, books, supplies and monthly housing. Generally, benefits are payable for 15 years following release from active duty and may be transferred to spouses or dependent children.

Medical and dental professionals can complete their residency without financial worry through the Residency Financial Assistance program. Those selected will receive more than $45,000 for every year they participate in the program as well as a stipend of over $2,000 per month to cover living expenses. Upon completion of residency, participants complete one year of service in the Air Force for each year of participation, plus one extra year. Contact your health professions recruiter for qualification and benefit information.

The Allied Health Internship Program offers several internship opportunities at Air Force medical facilities. The program allows participants to become interns in practice areas such as Clinical Psychology, Audiology, Clinical Social Worker, Dietetic and more. Contact your health professions recruiter for qualification and benefit information.

The Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program (NECP) offers active duty Airmen an opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an in-demand career in the Air Force. Participating students remain on active duty and continue to receive an income while going to school full time at a college or university that participates in ROTC. Participants receive a tuition and fees scholarships for up to $15,000 per year, as well as a textbook allowance of $600 per year. Those selected may participate for up to three years, depending on their degree program and previous academics. Students will commission upon passing the National Council Licensure Examination, and then attend Commissioned Officer Training and the Nurse Transition Program.

Physician’s Assistants are an in-demand and highly respected career within the Air Force. Active duty Airmen can apply to the Physician Assistant Training program. The qualified individuals accepted into the program will receive the advanced training they need to provide expert medical care to military personnel and their families.

Healthcare Continuing Education (HCE) is critical to the success of the Air Force mission. We support healthcare career development with mentorship opportunities and humanitarian missions around the world through funding and scheduling that allows for continuing study. Specific education and training opportunities are available for Physicians, Nurses and Dentists.

Healthcare professionals can pursue further studies with financial assistance through the Health Professions Scholarship program. These scholarships cover all tuition and required fees, including textbooks, small equipment and supplies as well as a monthly allowance for living expenses. While on scholarship, recipients spend 45 days on active duty in the Air Force. Upon graduation, recipients serve one year of active duty for each year of scholarship, with a minimum of three years. Studies funded with the help of scholarship include one- and two-year programs for Biomedical Science Corps specialties (Pharmacists, Optometrists, Clinical Psychologists and Public Health Officers), two- and three-year programs for Nurse Corps specialties and three- and four-year programs for Medical Corps and Dental Corps.

The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) allows Air Force Officers to pursue graduate studies as a full-time active duty assignment. Located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, AFIT is a world leader in defense technological education, research and consultation and is the Air Force’s graduate school of engineering and management as well as its institution for professional continuing education.

Eligible, active duty Airmen can receive up to 36 months of benefits for education and training opportunities outside of the Air Force through the Post-9/11 GI Bill. These benefits may be used for undergraduate and graduate degree programs, vocational and technical training, tutorial assistance, books, supplies and monthly housing. Generally, benefits are payable for 15 years following release from active duty and may be transferred to spouses or dependent children.

The Judge Advocate Student Loan Repayment Program (JA-SLRP) enables eligible JAGs to apply for up to $65,000 toward student loan repayment. Payments are made directly to a qualified lender over a three-year period, beginning once you have completed your first year of service as a JAG officer.

There are a variety of professional development opportunities available to JAGs, including submitting professional papers and articles to The Air Force Law Review or The Reporter (published by the Judge Advocate General’s Corps) or participating in programs by the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA).

JAGs seeking to expand their knowledge in different areas of practice, become more specialized in their field or earn Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits are encouraged to participate in the Air Force Judge Advocate General’s School. The school offers classroom courses and monthly webcasts that cover a wide variety of advanced topics.

The Master of Laws (LL.M.) programs is a tuition-free option for pursuing an advanced degree in specialties such as Government Contract Law, Environmental Law, Labor Law, Cyber Law, Air and Space Law or International Law. This competitive program typically selects more experienced captains and majors. While obtaining an advanced degree, participants receive full tuition, fees and a book allowance from the Air Force while continuing to serve on active duty with full pay, allowances and other benefits. After completing the program, participants receive an assignment that utilizes their advanced legal education.

Eligible, active duty Airmen can receive up to 36 months of benefits for education and training opportunities outside of the Air Force through the Post-9/11 GI Bill. These benefits may be used for undergraduate and graduate degree programs, vocational and technical training, tutorial assistance, books, supplies and monthly housing. Generally, benefits are payable for 15 years following release from active duty and may be transferred to spouses or dependent children.

JAGs have multiple Military Education Development opportunities available to them, including Squadron Officers College, Air Command and Staff College and Air War College.

The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) allows Air Force Officers to pursue graduate studies as a full-time active duty assignment. Located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, AFIT is a world leader in defense technological education, research and consultation and is the Air Force’s graduate school of engineering and management as well as its institution for professional continuing education.

There are a variety of professional development opportunities available to JAGs, including submitting professional papers and articles to The Air Force Law Review or The Reporter (published by the Judge Advocate General’s Corps) or participating in programs by the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA).

The Air Force Reserve Chaplain Corps offers three avenues of service to the Air Force. The first enables ministry professionals to serve with a local reserve unit and train one weekend a month. The second commits you to serve 12 days on annual tour and 12 in an active duty chapel on an active duty base. The final option is the Chaplain Candidate program tailored to students.

Seminary and religious school students who are interested in Air Force service can evaluate their compatibility and potential for joining the Air Force as a chaplain as part of the Chaplain Candidate program. Participants experience ministry in the Air Force during summer tours of active duty and draw upon their background, education and experience to function as part of an Air Force chapel team. Upon graduation and obtaining an ecclesiastical endorsement, chaplain candidates are eligible for reappointment as a chaplain in the Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard or active duty component.

The Chaplain Leave of Absence program enables authorized chaplain officers to take up to 15 days each year to attend a spiritual retreat, ecclesiastical conference or to consult with ecclesiastical superiors, such as meeting with your endorser.

The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) allows Air Force Officers to pursue graduate studies as a full-time active duty assignment. Located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, AFIT is a world leader in defense technological education, research and consultation and is the Air Force’s graduate school of engineering and management as well as its institution for professional continuing education.