Air and Space Force Education Resources and Special Programs
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
Estimate How Close You Are to a Degree
Flexible Online Education for Airmen, Guardians, and Veterans
Whether you want to earn an associate’s degree or advance toward a bachelor’s, master’s, or even doctoral degree, Purdue Global has more than 175 online programs to choose from. As part of the respected Purdue University system, you can be confident that you’re earning a quality education from a regionally accredited public university.
From our distinguished, experienced faculty to our dedicated support services, Purdue Global delivers military-focused support and the flexibility you need to succeed—including military Advisors to assist with Air Force and Space Force education benefits, resource fee waivers for servicemembers, and no-cost tutoring services. As a student, you’ll discover that learning online at Purdue Global is a highly interactive experience, giving you ample opportunities to advance in your military career.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
Additional Ways to Earn Credit
Air and Space Force Education Pathways
General Education Mobile (GEM) Program
As a member of the U.S. Air Force or Space Force interested in earning a quality degree, you understand how important it is to embark on a college program that fits your busy schedule. The GEM program is a key step toward earning your associate's degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
- GEM can be completed with only five online courses at Purdue Global.
- Each course corresponds to a general education area requirement for a degree.
- GEM courses are taught 100% online.
- Each term lasts 10 weeks.
- When taking two courses per term, you can complete the GEM program in 8 months.
Air University Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative (AU-ABC)
Purdue Global partners with Air University to help airmen and guardians continue their education and earn a bachelor’s degree. The Air University Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative (AU-ABC) Program was launched by the Air University to help graduates of the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) associate's degree program apply their existing credits toward a bachelor's degree program.
The transfer of a CCAF associate's degree could provide up to half the credits needed to obtain a bachelor's degree. Please note that you must meet eligibility requirements for credits transferred. The following Purdue Global bachelor’s degrees are a part of the AU-ABC program:
- Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies | View PPF
- Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management | View PPF
- Bachelor of Science in Nutrition | View PPF
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice | View PPF
- Bachelor of Science in Legal Support and Services, open concentration | View PPF
- Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Management | View PPF
- Bachelor of Science in Health Science | View PPF
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration | View PPF
- Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity | View PPF
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, IT management concentration | View PPF
The First Step Toward a Degree
Developing your educational plan is one of several steps you must complete to enroll, begin your education, and receive Air and Space Force tuition assistance benefits. This plan is essential to ensuring you are on the right path to achieving your educational goals. Our Military Student Support Center can help you develop your educational plan, as well as guide you through the enrollment process. You should also discuss this plan with your Educational Services Officer.
The Air Force Virtual Education Center (AFVEC) is a great resource to research your educational options. You will also need to use the AFVEC to apply for tuition assistance. Note: Use the “Search Institutions” function to find Purdue Global.
We Offer an Affordable Education for Military Students
We believe you have earned a quality education through your service and should not have to pay excessive out-of-pocket expenses to reach your educational goal.
- Current Servicemembers (including Guard and Reserve): 55% per-credit reduction for undergraduate programs (plus we waive the resource fee) and 17% to 30% per-credit reduction for graduate programs
- Veterans: 38% per-credit reduction for undergraduate programs and 14% per-credit reduction for graduate programs
- Military Spouses: 10% per-credit reduction for undergraduate and graduate programs
Master of Science in Management and Leadership: Military Leadership Concentration
A Graduate Degree Created Specifically for Servicemembers
Our online Master of Science in Management and Leadership with a concentration in military leadership allows you to save time and money by applying your graduate-level military leadership training as prior learning credit toward up to 4 courses.
Note: This concentration is limited to U.S. active-duty servicemembers and veterans who have successfully completed an approved graduate-level military leadership training program.
USAFSAM (USAF School of Aerospace Medicine)
USAFSAM graduates are eligible to transfer in the following courses for college credit:
- Public Health Apprentice (PHA)
- Bioenvironmental Engineering Apprentice (BEA)
- Aeromedical Evacuation Initial Qualification (AEIQ)
- Contingency Preventive Medicine
- Hearing Conservation Certification
- Operational Entomology Course
You may also qualify for additional credits based on your METC training, Air Force Specialty Code, and career experience.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
We Are a Military Friendly School
Purdue Global understands the importance of a quality education and offers flexible programs designed to support those who balance career, duty, family, and their studies. We also recognize the significant value these students bring to campus and are committed to the 8 Keys to Veterans' Success to ensure veterans and all military-affiliated students receive the best possible educational experience.
2025–26 Military Friendly® School
2025–26 Military Friendly Spouse School®
2025 Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges
Fly, Fight, and Stay on Course With Our PME2Degree ® Program
The PME2Degree® program is a holistic approach to providing the best education option based on your individual goals and the most efficient path to achieve those goals.
Transfer Credit Pathways
We have mapped a select few Air Force specialty codes (AFSCs) into various degree options, allowing you to pursue a degree program that may not specifically be related to your AFSC, but is relevant to your ultimate career goals. In addition, we will review your military transcript for potential credit toward your degree of choice.
Uncompromised Quality
The comprehensive nature of our AFSC reviews ensures that the required outcomes needed to earn a degree are either achieved in military service or through the degree plan.
Built for Lifelong Learning
At Purdue Global, we are committed to your ongoing success. We provide a continuous learning path, making it easier for you to explore the next steps in your academic journey from earning an associate’s degree to progressing to a bachelor’s, master’s, and even doctoral degree.
With our generous transfer options, credits earned in many of our degree programs can be transferred into a Purdue Global advanced degree, allowing you to achieve your ultimate academic and career goals. Along with transfer credits, we also re-evaluate your training to apply it toward the next degree level.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
Air Force and Space Force Education Benefits and Tuition Assistance
What is Tuition Assistance?
Tuition assistance is a benefit paid to eligible servicemembers who meet specific requirements to receive TA benefits.
The Air Force and Space Force Tuition Assistance (TA) program provides active-duty airmen and guardians with funding for tuition costs associated with courses taken in an off-duty status at a college, university, or vocational/technical institution, whose regional or national accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Purdue Global is a regionally accredited institution.
What Are the Caps?
There is an annual cap of $4,550 per individual, which falls within each fiscal year (October 1 to September 30). Payment for tuition will not exceed the following caps:
- $250.00 per semester hour
- $166.67 per quarter hour
- $16.67 per clock hour (for approved certificate/diploma programs only)
Purdue Global is on the quarter-hour system. Current servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve, are eligible for a 55% per-credit tuition reduction for undergraduate programs, which reduces per-credit tuition to $165, which is below the per-quarter-hour cap.
Who Is Eligible?
TA is available to active-duty airmen, guardians, and Air Force and Space Force Reservists. Please visit the Air Force Portal for additional eligibility requirements.
To qualify, you must:
- Be on active duty for the duration of the course term
- Attend an institution accredited by a regional, national, or professional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
What Is Covered?
TA may be used for academic or technical courses and degree programs taken from 2- or 4-year institutions on base, off base, or by correspondence.
TA will cover only tuition.
TA does NOT cover books and course materials, academic institution fees, or retakes of the same course. Additionally, TA will not fund your courses if you leave the service before the course ends, you quit the course for reasons other than personal illness, military transfer, or mission requirements, or you fail the course. In the event one of these situations occurs, you will have to provide reimbursement for any funds already paid.
TA is NOT authorized for courses leading to a lateral or lower-level degree than you already possess (e.g., second associate's or bachelor's degree). TA is also not authorized for post-master's degree coursework or degrees.
Where Can I Apply?
To apply for TA, please visit the Air Force Portal.
Where Can I Learn More?
Visit the Air Force’s Personnel Center.
Take 3 Weeks to Get to Know Us
Not sure if Purdue Global is right for you? Experience a Purdue Global undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week period.
There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply.
That's the Purdue Global Commitment.
Students who choose to continue at Purdue Global will be billed for the full first term's tuition, including the 3-week trial. See notes and conditions below.
Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.