Air Force
Air Force Tuition Assistance & Admissions
As a Yellow Ribbon School and a proud participant of the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) General Education Mobile (GEM) Program, National University offers Air Force tuition assistance to active duty airmen year-round. With over 150+ Academic degree programs available, our Military-friendly one-month class format provides various degree programs, certification programs, and credentials programs online, on-base, or in-person.
U.S. Air Force College Education
As an Air Force-Friendly university, we pride ourselves on providing service members the opportunity to obtain a degree. Our one-month classes have been designed specifically for military students of all branches so you can attend class without disrupting your duties.
Air Force Admissions Process
At National University, applications are reviewed year-round, so you can begin classes any month of the year online, on base, or on location. Please take a few minutes to review our five-step admissions and enrollment process before submitting your application. For more information, contact Military Online at (877) 628-6828.
Step 1: Determine Level of Tuition Assistance (TA)
Contact the Base Education Office on your base to complete a Department of Defense Request for Tuition Assistance. Completing this form will get you started and on your way to earning a degree.
Step 2: Apply Online to National University
Complete the National University registration form online.
After the TA authorization form is completed and signed, you can fax, email, or hand-carry the TA forms to your advisor. To ensure you are getting the most out of your tuition assistance, review the financial aid section.
Applications are processed within one week, but TA authorization will take longer to process. Verification of your enrollment and a welcome letter will be emailed to you once everything has been processed.
Step 3: Take Placement Tests
If you’re a first-time college student, you must take the ACU Placement test either online or on base within the first 30 days after you enroll.
Step 4: Select A Program of Study
Determine which degree or program you are interested in. See our list of online programs available to take classes anywhere in the world or check the locations page for on-base or on-campus programs. If the degree is available in person, it is listed on the program page.
Step 5: Textbooks and Course Materials
Once you’ve submitted your registration form, received confirmation of registration, and submitted your TA forms and payment, you can order your textbooks, CD, and any other course materials online at the University Bookstore.
Air Force Tuition Assistance
Air Force Tuition Assistance (TA) covers tuition for a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree, but it doesn’t pay for fees, books, materials, or exams. Under the current Department of the Air Force tuition assistance policy, TA pays up to $250 per semester hour and $166.66 per quarter hour. That’s capped at an annual ceiling of $4,500 per fiscal year, and it applies to both undergraduate and graduate coursework.
Over the course of your studies, TA-funded coursework is capped at 124 semester hours for an undergraduate degree and 42 semester hours for a graduate degree. TA also isn’t authorized for a lateral or lower-level degree than one you already hold.
You’ll need to maintain the required grade point average (GPA): 2.0 for undergraduate work and 3.0 for graduate work. And you’ll repay assistance for failing grades or an unresolved incomplete.
Here’s where it adds up. Air Force TA covers up to $250 per semester hour, and National University’s undergraduate military rate is $250 per semester hour. That means TA can cover 100% of NU’s undergraduate per-semester-hour tuition.
Because rules can vary by branch, check with your Education Services Officer (ESO) for guidance specific to your situation.
Air Force Tuition and Fees
As of June 15, 2026, the National University military tuition rates are as follows:
| Degree Level | Cost Per Semester Hour |
| Undergraduate Programs | $250 |
| Graduate Programs | $450.45 – $692.30 |
In addition to our military tuition discount, you may qualify to apply for Veteran benefits under existing Veteran programs. National University also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
TA doesn’t have to stand alone. You can combine it with the Post-9/11 or Montgomery GI Bill, Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) credits, and scholarships. National University’s Veterans Affairs office certifies enrollment within 30 days of class start and works directly with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, so your benefits are processed accurately and on time.
Note that some service branches have established specific guidelines or limits for their members that do not mirror the standard policy. Please check with your Education Services Officer to determine the benefits available to you. For more information on Tuition Assistance, visit the DANTES website or contact our Veterans Affairs Office at (858) 541-7970 or [email protected].
Air Force Education Benefits
Just like the Army and the Marine Corps, the United States Air Force encourages you to use this benefit at any type of educational institution, including schools that offer online degrees. Again, the only requirement if you choose a virtual learning environment is that the school must be accredited.
Air Force Transfer Information
Get the credit you deserve. National University offers transfer-friendly degree programs to help you maximize as many previously earned credits as possible, including college credits from other accredited universities, professional or technical certifications, and military training and experience. To learn more about transferring to NU, contact our Veterans Affairs Office at (858) 541-7970 or [email protected].
Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) Partnership
National University is proud to be one of a select group of academic institutions invited to participate in the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) General Education Mobile (GEM) Program. Through National’s partnership with the Community College of the Air Force, airmen can complete 15 semester hours of general education requirements.
Contact a Military Advisor at [email protected] or 877-628-6828. How to apply/register: Admissions. A typical National University course lasts four weeks.
National University Accreditation
National University has been institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) since 1977. As an institutionally accredited university, NU has met the highest education quality standards. Learn more about our institutional accreditation.
Top Air Force Education Programs Selected by Airmen
National University offers a program that fits everyone! As an Air Force-friendly university, we have students from across the country. Some of the most popular education programs selected by Airmen are:
- Associate of Arts in General Education
- Bachelor of Science in Public Health
- Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership
- Bachelor of Science in Information Systems (BSIS)
- Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communications
Frequently Asked Questions
To acquire Air Force tuition assistance, you must first have your request approved by your supervisor via the Air Force Virtual Education Center (AFVEC). This approval must also fall within the TA application window of 45 calendar days prior to, and no later than 7 calendar days before, the term start date.
You file your Air Force TA application through the Air Force Virtual Education Center (AFVEC). You’ll need your supervisor’s approval in AFVEC no earlier than 45 calendar days and no later than 7 calendar days before your course start date.
Air Force Tuition Assistance (TA) covers up to $250 per semester hour and $166.66 per quarter hour. That’s capped at $4,500 per fiscal year, for both undergraduate and graduate courses. TA covers tuition only, not fees, books, or materials.