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 190+ 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-location programs.

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 will cover your tuition for both your bachelor’s and/or master’s degree but does not pay for any fees, books, materials, or exams. Funding restrictions are the same as standard limitations for all military personnel. However, the hourly limits are 16 semester-hours, 24 quarter-hours, or 240 clock hours per person. If you fail to maintain a determined grade point average (GPA) or obtained an incomplete for a course, you will be required to pay back the assistance you’ve already received.

Air Force Tuition and Fees

As of March 1, 2022, the National University military tuition rates are as follows:

	In-person Course	Online Course
Undergraduate	$747	$747
Graduate	$822	$981
Undergraduate (per quarter unit)	$166	$166
Graduate (per quarter unit)	$182.67	$218

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.

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 Veteransaffairs@nu.edu.

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 institutions, professional or technical certifications, and military training and experience. To learn more about transferring to NU, contact our Veteran’s Affairs Office at (858) 541-7970 or Veteransaffairs@nu.edu.

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.

Approved National University programs GEM Approved Courses

Oral Communication

COM103 – Public Speaking

Written Communication

ENG240 – Advanced Composition

Mathematics

MTH210 – Probability and Statistics

MTH215 – College Algebra and Trigonometry

MTH220 – Calculus I

Social Science

ECO204 – Principles of Macroeconomics

ECO203 – Principles of Microeconomics

HIS220A – United States History I

HIS220B – United States History II

POL100 – Introduction to Politics

POL201 – American Politics

PSY100 – Introduction to Psychology

SOC100 – Principles of Sociology

SOC260 – Cultural Anthropology

Humanities

ART100 – Introduction to Art History

MUS100 – Fundamentals of Music

THR200 – Theater Arts

LIT100 – Introduction to Literature

SPN100 – Beginning Spanish I

SPN101 – Beginning Spanish II

SPN200 – Intermediate Spanish I

Military Tuition Rates (4.5 Quarter-Unit Classes)

• In-person Undergraduate Courses: $166.00 per unit or $747.00 per course
• In-person Graduate Courses: $182.67 per unit or $822.00 per course
• Online Undergraduate Courses: $166.00 per unit or $747.00 per course
• Online Graduate Courses: $218 per unit or $981.00 per course

Contact a Military Advisor at militaryadmissions@nu.edu or 877-628-6828How to apply/register: Admissions A typical National University course lasts four weeks.

National University Accreditation

National University has been regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) since 1977. As a regionally accredited Institution, NU has met the highest education quality standards. Learn more about our regional 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