Airmen have the option to complete their CCAF Associate degree online, with the support of Boise State University.
CCAF Explained
The Community College of the Air Force degree is an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program, where Airmen receive credit for military training and can complete general education requirements to earn a degree that is associated with their Air Force Specialty Code.
BMT + Tech School + PME + General Education = CCAF
This program is a unique opportunity for Air Force members, and the Community College of the Air Force is the only degree-granting higher learning institution exclusively dedicated to enlisted personnel. Generally speaking, Airmen will earn 49 credits through military training, and are required to complete an additional 15 general education credits in areas of oral/written communication (6), mathematics (3), social science (3), and humanities (3).
The Air Force partners with civilian learning institutions to satisfy the general education requirements to maintain regional accreditation compliance. However, when the degree is granted, it is awarded through the Community College of the Air Force, not the institution the student attends to complete the general education credits.
General Education Mobile
The General Education Mobile, GEM, model is a partnership between CCAF and pre-approved partner colleges where Airmen can take online general education courses that transfer credit to CCAF. There are currently only about 125 approved GEM institutions nationwide.
Boise State is the only institution in Idaho that has the GEM partnership with CCAF.
This partnership allows Airmen the flexibility to complete their CCAF AAS degree online, anytime, anywhere. GEM is delivered via AFVEC. For more information on GEM, visit the Air Force Virtual Education Center.
CLEP Testing
Prior to taking college classes, Airmen should consider using College-Level Examination Program, CLEP, tests to earn college credit for what they already know. Each military installation will usually have a testing center hosted by a civilian learning provider.
On Mountain Home Air Force Base, Boise State University hosts the testing center.
Boise State advisors highly recommend that eligible service members make an appointment to test at Mountain Home AFB. There are over 30 test options across areas of electives, mathematics, communication, humanities, social sciences, leadership, and computer science. Airmen have the option to take each test once, for free.
Passing scores fulfill both CCAF and Boise State course requirements, and test scores are automatically recorded on the CCAF transcripts. Airmen could potentially pass a CLEP test for each required general education course, meaning they could earn their AAS degree without having to take a college class.
Getting Started
Mission43 and Boise State are working together to make it easier for every Airman in Idaho to earn their CCAF.
To get started, visit the Mission43 Boise State Toolkit and request more information. A member of the Boise State Military Programs Team will reach out directly to assist you in going through the process.
Military members are also required to complete a TA-101 briefing to ensure their TA eligibility as well as connect with an Air Force education counselor. For members at Mountain Home AFB, you can find answers to FAQs here or email ed.center@us.af.mil for information on TA briefings and connecting with a base education counselor.
Members will also want to ensure that they order their CCAF transcripts either through AFVEC (must access through a .mil network) or Credentials Solutions. If ordering through AFVEC, keep in mind that it could take up to 4 weeks for the college to receive them, so allow yourself a bit of flexibility when applying and starting courses. They can also be 3-day expedited through FedEx, for a fee, by using the Credentials Solutions option.
Taking Online Classes at Boise State
If an Airman gets to the point that they need (or want) to take classes to complete their degree, there are quite a few options available in each of the general education areas required to satisfy CCAF degree completion.
Most courses are accelerated, 7-week classes. Since a normal semester is 15 weeks, members enrolled in Online Degree Pathway GEM courses tend to have a week break between classes.
Airmen can expect to spend up to 20 hrs per week on course work to be successful. While these classes are designed with the working adult in mind, military members often need a bit more flexibility. Boise State advisors suggest taking no more than one class at a time, keeping an open line of communication between faculty and advisors, and preparing for those times when more flexibility is needed.
We know it can be difficult being in the military and trying to take classes sometimes. We’re here to support you through that.
Before applying, visit the Mission43 Boise State toolkit and request more information. Eligible military members can receive a code to waive the application fee.
Using Tuition Assistance
Eligible military members have access to Federal Tuition Assistance, which provides up to $250 per credit hour, up to $4500 per year.
Through Boise State’s TA Promise program, eligible military members enrolled in the online degree pathway GEM courses, using Tuition Assistance, automatically receive a scholarship, reducing their price per credit hour from $350 to $250, meaning zero out-of-pocket tuition cost to complete the CCAF AAP.
Free Tutoring and Support
Going to college for the first time can be scary, especially for those who have spent several years focusing on their military career. For many Airmen, the last time they actively talked about college was high school.
It’s ok to ask for help! You don’t have to do this alone!
Boise State is home to a unique program through TRIO, Veterans Upward Bound, which provides free tutoring and assessment services prior to getting started. This is a free service for military members who have never been to college, or have had a long break between learning experiences.
Airmen can receive one-on-one tutoring in areas like math and English to be better prepared for success in their GEM classes. For more Veterans Upward Bound information, contact Project Director Mario Pile at mariopile@boisestate.edu.
CCAF to AU-ABC
One of the most beneficial opportunities Airmen have after completing their CCAF is the option to complete a Bachelor’s degree in 60 credits or less through the Air University Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative, AU-ABC.
With Boise State’s AU-ABC partnership, Airmen can apply all of their CCAF transfer credits to a Bachelor’s of Applied Science, Bachelor’s of Business Management, or a BA in Public Health.
This means Airmen can earn their Associate and Bachelor’s degrees in less time than it takes the traditional student to earn just one degree!
The CCAF isn’t just for career airmen looking to promote. With zero out of pocket tuition costs, it is an effective and efficient way for every airman to advance their military and civilian employment opportunities.