The New England fall: leaves, low temps and learning

  • Published
  • By Capt. Geoff Buteau
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Fall means many things to many people, but in particular for this area of the country, leaves changing colors, apple festivals abounding, the start of the pro-football season, and the exodus of winter clothes from storage, all officially remind the region of the end of summer and the beginning of another fall. 

If none of this says fall to you, then the mass influx of students in Boston and its suburbs will certainly drive the point home. 

Staying with the idea of students, the one characteristic of fall that touches everyone, from parents to children and graduates and undergrads, is that it's back-to-school season. Despite varying levels of excitement - especially between parents and school-age children - the fall education season does offer a chance for new beginnings, career investments, and personal enlightenment. 

The Hanscom Education Center finds itself serving active-duty, Guard, Reserve, civilian and dependent customers across New England and New York nearly at capacity this time of year, answering questions and giving educational counseling about the GI Bill, military and civilian tuition assistance, Air Force Institute of Technology and developmental education (formerly and commonly known as Professional Military Education) programs, as well as linking local colleges offering relevant academic programs with the Hanscom community. 

"The biggest thing is that fall is the time people start thinking about this," said Brandi Ruiz, Hanscom Education Center education services officer, "so they need to be communicating with us now." 

GI Bill
Considered the most pressing education matter right now by Steve Ramos, Hanscom Education Center program manager, is the Post-9/11 GI Bill. In 2008, legislators approved the bill, with enrollment beginning in May 2009 and payouts scheduled to begin Aug. 1. "There are lots of questions, lots of concerns, and lots of uncertainty surrounding the transferability [to dependents and spouses] and how that process is going to work," Mr. Ramos said. 

Recognizing the tough economic times, many have been turning to the education center to help fund their education, Mr. Ramos said. "That's why this [Post-9/11] GI Bill is a tremendous resource on paper." But with funds not paying for the first time until next month, it's difficult to know exactly what to expect. He and the rest of the education center are working with the Department of Veterans Affairs to address the questions. 

Mr. Ramos said the Montgomery GI Bill, the precursor to the new Post-9/11 GI Bill, required the education offices to verify members' eligibility. "That [Post-9/11 GI Bill] program is managed by the VA and the transferability of those benefits is handled by the Department of Defense and the member's service component," he said. "There are some things that we no longer have control of. It's a great resource with very little catch, though."  

Mr. Ramos recommends the VA Web site as a primary source for information: http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/CH33/Benefit_Comparison_Chart.htm#911amount. 

Education Fair
Adding to the educational calendar next month is an education fair, on Aug. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Hanscom Conference Center, where 12 local colleges and universities will be promoting their degree and certificate programs for the Hanscom community. 

The education center staff has assembled the roster of schools to cater to the needs of their customer base on Hanscom while also marketing the educational opportunities to dependents, spouses, and civilians. "Anyone who has access to Hanscom can participate in the education fair," Mr. Ramos said. 

Local colleges attending: Park University, Boston University, Daniel Webster College N.H., Endicott College, Middlesex Community College, Newbury College, Nichols College, Southern New Hampshire University, University of Phoenix, University of Massachusetts - Lowell, Bay Path College

Developmental Education
With in-residence slots for Air Command and Staff College and Air War College decreasing, according to Mr. Ramos, the Air Force is putting the management of these developmental education courses in the hands of its prospective students.
"Distance learning is the way a lot of formal military education is going," Mr. Ramos said, referring to the system now where military members often work directly with the ACSC and AWC school houses to register, enroll, and complete the courses by correspondence. 

Even though these courses are conducted via the Web, and on an individual basis, the Education Center can unite those taking the course, on the standard September to May cycle. "We can offer a room and space for 6-10 other people to work together," said Ms. Ruiz, continuing that these ad hoc classes usually decide to meet once per week for the duration of the class. 

These courses are also available to civilian employees, where supervisors and functional managers deem them necessary. 

AFIT, Tuition Assistance 
Much like the developmental education courses, AWC and ACSC, The Air Force Institute of Technology and the prospective student work directly with one another.
"AFIT has a push a couple times a year for their particular programs," Mr. Ramos said, "with specific guidelines for each." These programs are up to the individual to pursue through an application process, but the Education Center can point members in the right direction. 

Further assistance exists for active-duty servicemembers and civilians through tuition assistance programs, with $4,500 per year for the active-duty individual, and civilians receiving monies based on their specific career program. 

There are also programs for active-duty spouses, which Mr. Ramos said could total up to $6,000 of educational benefits depending on the program pursued. 

Ms. Ruiz and Mr. Ramos both remind those considering educational programs and their associated benefits, to plan early, solicit supervisors and functional communities for their recommendations on the best programs for their career, and know their goals and desires, all before discussing the options with the Education Center. This will help the prospective student get the most out of the academic advisement services, Mr. Ramos said.