College/Technical Training

POST 9/11 GI BILL^®: An option for spouse education funding is the Post 9/11 GI Bill^®. This education benefit package has provisions for eligible sponsors to transfer their education benefit to a spouse or dependent child.

For more information, visit the Veterans Affairs website.

Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) Tuition Assistance For Family Members - https://afas.org/education-support/ 

• General Henry H. Arnold Grant: The General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant program is the centerpiece of the Society’s education support initiatives, awarding competitive education grants to eligible Air Force dependents based on family financial need.

AFAS Merit Scholarship: Each year AFAS awards a number of merit-based scholarships as a complement to the needs-based support allocated through the hallmark Arnold Education Grant program. Scholars who are being considered for the Arnold Education Grant may also be evaluated on academic merit and considered separately for an AFAS Merit Scholarship.

AFAS Supplemental Education Loan Program: This no-interest loan program – also offered as a complement to the main Arnold Education Grant – is designed to help Air Force families with those incidental college expenses. Scholars who are being considered for the Arnold Education Grant may have the opportunity to secure a Supplemental Education Loan.

“BEE” Arnold Spouse Tuition Program: This program provides funding for spouses to pursue entry-level job training to help secure immediate, viable employment through short term programs/certifications (3-12 weeks) or spouses pursing a part-time undergraduate degree at an accredited 2-4 year college, university or vocational/trace school approved by the U.S. Department of Education for participation in federal aid programs. 

Columbia Southern University Scholarship: Columbia University (CSU) is partnering with the Air Force Aid Society to offer a 60 credit hour scholarship to an enlisted U.S. Air Force Airman or U.S. Space Force Guardian spouse who is interested in attending CSU. 

Army Emergency Relief Tuition Assistance For Family Members

• Mrs. Patty Shinseki Spouse Scholarship Program: Spouses without a four-year degree who are pursuing their first undergraduate degree or first technical certifications may receive assistance for up to four academic years or full-time study or eight academic years or part-time study as long as they meet all other requirements. Spouses may apply year-round (no deadlines) and must reapply every year.
• Maj. Gen. James Ursano Scholarship Program: Children who meet eligibility criteria and are pursuing an undergraduate degree or first technical certifications may receive assistance for up to four academic years of full time study. Children must reapply every year.

For more information about AER scholarships, please visit https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/scholarships/.

JBER has two education centers, one on the Elmendorf side and the other on the Richardson side of the installation.

The JBER-Elmendorf Education Center is located at 4109 Bullard Ave. The Education and Training Office is located on the second floor, room 210 and are open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 907-552-3164/DSN 317-552-3164 or email edoffice@us.af.mil.

The JBER-Richardson Education Center offers a full range of Army adult education services in building 7 Chilkoot Ave. These services include education counseling, a testing office, and computer labs with access to ArmyIgnitED (the Tuition Assistance portal for Soldiers).

The facility has a computer lab (also known as the Learning Resource Center with testing study materials for Soldiers to borrow). The facility sponsors two on-post colleges, the University of Alaska, Anchorage and Embry Riddle-Aeronautical University which both offer online and face-to-face classes in the building. All military, adult family members, veterans and civilian employees are welcome. Education services are free. Counselors can assist Soldiers enroll for classes using ArmyIgnitED to pay for courses. Scholarship handouts are available for veterans, spouses and students who are not eligible for Army Tuition Assistance. For more information on student services, please call 907-384-0970/DSN 317-384-0970.

To facilitate academic achievement, the JBER Army Education Center hosts an annual Spring College Fair open to the military community and annual College Graduation to celebrate the achievements of our graduates. The graduation is open to graduates in the community (Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, dependents, contractors and civilians who have access to the installation). Local colleges and colleges from the local 48 participate in the college fair, often-times representing over 20 various colleges each year. The college fair is also open to those who have access to the installation.