Two graduates embracing during a commencement ceremony

Army Continuing Education System (ACES)

Welcome to the Army Continuing Education System (ACES), serving U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii Soldiers, Department of the Army Civilians, and their family members.

Visit either Education Center to speak with an education counselor, learn more about financial aid and local educational opportunities, or enroll in academic programs.

Schofield Barracks Education Center

Services available for counseling, testing, BSEP, and college programs.

Tripler AMC Education Complex

Services available for counseling, testing, BSEP, and college programs.

Additional Family & Dependent Resources

For additional educational and support services, explore the following Family and MWR programs:

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Academic Counseling

Educational Counseling Services

The educational counseling process is central to delivering meaningful adult educational programs and services to Soldiers in our area of responsibility.

Army Guidance Counselors assist Soldiers with establishing realistic short- and long-range educational goals, creating actionable plans to achieve those goals, and identifying appropriate Army Continuing Education System (ACES) programs and services.

Walk-In Counseling Hours

Counselors are available on a walk-in basis at the following locations and times:

Schofield Barracks Education Center

  • Monday – Thursday: 0900–1630 (9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
  • Friday: 1030–1630 (10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)

Tripler AMC Education Center

  • Monday – Thursday: 0900–1630 (9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
  • Friday: 1130–1630 (11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)

Eligibility: While Soldiers are the priority for ACES counselors, counseling services are also available to adult family members, Department of the Army Civilians, and other eligible personnel.

Colleges & Universities

On-Post Colleges & Universities

Accredited colleges and universities offer certificate and degree programs to Soldiers and adult family members via on-post classes, off-post attendance at local institutions, or through distance learning. On-post college terms are offered on a quarterly schedule.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Phone: (808) 928-7776
Email: schofieldbarracks@erau.edu

Grand Canyon University

Phone: (602) 247-3161
Email: Ellamonique.misa@gcu.edu

Hawaii Pacific University

Schofield Barracks: (808) 687-7093
Email: schofield@hpu.edu
Tripler AMC: (808) 544-1492
Email: tripler@hpu.edu

University of Hawai’i at Mānoa

Shidler College of Business — Executive Education

Phone: (808) 956-9135
Email: exceed@hawaii.edu

University of Maryland Global Campus

Phone: (808) 888-0258
Email: baseadvisor@umgc.edu

Wayland Baptist University

Schofield Barracks: (808) 564-3360
Tripler AMC: (808) 833-2001
Email: arakit@wbu.edu

On Duty Programs

Basic Skills Education Program (BSEP)

Looking to improve your General Technical (GT) score? Basic Skills Education Program (BSEP) classes are offered at both the Schofield Barracks Army Education Center and the Fort Shafter/Tripler Army Education Complex.

Schofield Barracks Education Center

  • Authorization Memo: An On-Duty Training Authorization Memo is required for registration and can be obtained at the education center. The memo must be signed by the Soldier, First Sergeant, and Company Commander. Registration is accepted until class capacity is reached.
  • Schedule: 20 class sessions (60 hours total), meeting Monday through Friday from 0900–1200 or 1300–1600.
  • Cost: $20 (non-refundable, cash only), due on the second day of class.
  • Contact: Call (808) 787-0640 for more information.

Fort Shafter / Tripler Army Education Complex

  • Authorization Memo: An On-Duty Training Authorization Memo is required for registration and can be obtained at the education center. The memo must be signed by the Soldier, First Sergeant, and Company Commander. Registration is accepted until class capacity is reached.
  • Schedule: 15 class sessions (60 hours total), meeting Monday through Friday from 0900–1300.
  • Cost: $20 (non-refundable, cash only), due on the second day of class.
  • Contact: Call (808) 787-0641 for more information.

Student Warrior Tutoring Program

Located at the Schofield Barracks Army Education Center, this program offers in-person tutoring in English and basic mathematics for individuals high-school aged or older. Highly suggested for BSEP Soldiers.

Appointments are recommended, but not required.

Schedule an Appointment:
Schedule a BSEP Tutoring Appointment Online

Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarship Opportunities

Download Document: U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii Scholarship Handout (PDF)

Information contained in the U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii Education Center's Scholarship Handout is provided as an information resource for Soldiers, their dependents, and civilian employees seeking scholarship and educational opportunities.

Disclaimer: No endorsement is implied. Scholarship eligibility and availability change frequently. Please verify specific details directly with each granting organization.

Testing Programs

Army Personnel Testing

Army Personnel Test centers are located at both the Schofield Barracks Army Education Center and the Tripler Army Medical Center Education Center to administer a wide variety of official military tests. Soldiers are advised to contact their local Army education centers for the testing schedule.

Schofield Barracks and Tripler Testing Schedule (APT)

Available Tests

Tests include, but are not limited to the following:

* DA Form 4187 required to schedule test.

** Soldiers should submit an official copy of their scores to their brigade level S-1 to update their Soldier Talent Profile.

Service Members with pay grades of E-7 or above can use their own signatures (Section III, Box 9) for testing approval and DO NOT require a Commander's name or signature on the DA Form 4187 (Section V, Box 14, 15).

Testing requests submitted to the Army Personnel Testing Center at Schofield Barracks and Tripler must be made on the current version of DA Form 4187.

For Army Personnel Testing at Tripler Education Complex, please use the below address in the "To" line (Section I, Box 2) on the DA Form 4187:

ARMY EDUCATION CENTER
ATTN: AMIM-HIH-E(TESTING)
TRIPLER, AMC HI 96859

Completed DA Form 4187 can be emailed to armyedcentershawaiitesting@army.mil. In your email, indicate your desired testing location: Schofield Barracks or Tripler AMC.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Knowledge Exams

  • Take your FAA Knowledge (Written) Exams for FREE at the Schofield Barracks Army Education Center.
  • Eligibility (Base Access Required): Testing is available to Active-Duty Service Members (ALL SERVICE BRANCHES), Military Dependents (ALL SERVICE BRANCHES), DoD & DHS Civilians, Retirees/Veterans and their Dependents (ALL SERVICE BRANCHES).
  • Study guides are available on the FAA Website Aviation Handbooks and Manuals Page.
  • Registration Instructions:

Tuition Assistance

Tuition Assistance for Soldiers

  • Eligibility Onset: Soldiers can begin using Tuition Assistance (TA) upon completion of Advanced Individual Training (AIT), Officer Candidate School (OCS), or Basic Officer Leader Course (BOLC).
  • Fiscal Allowance: Eligible for up to $4,500 (18 semester hours at $250 per credit hour) per fiscal year, in conjunction with Credentialing Assistance (CA).
  • Accreditation Requirement: TA must be used toward courses required for a certificate or degree at a school, college, or university that is nationally or regionally accredited.
  • Undergraduate Degrees: TA can be used toward 130 semester hours or completion of a Bachelor’s degree, whichever comes first.
  • Graduate Degrees: TA can be used toward 39 semester hours or completion of a Master’s degree, whichever comes first.
  • Certificates: For undergraduate or graduate certificates, TA can be used toward 21 semester hours or completion of a certificate, whichever comes first.
  • Fee Exclusions: No fees, including any supporting instructional fees, will be paid using Tuition Assistance.
  • Degree Restrictions: TA cannot be used for degrees lower than or equivalent to your current education level, nor for professional degrees (Ph.D., M.D., or J.D.).
  • Service Obligation: Officers incur a 2-year service obligation calculated from the last day of the last class funded by TA, which can be served concurrently with other service obligations.
  • Recoupment: Soldiers will be recouped for non-successful grades ("D" or "F" for undergraduate work; "C," "D," or "F" for graduate work).
  • GPA Maintenance: Soldiers must maintain an undergraduate GPA of 2.00 or a graduate GPA of 3.00 to remain TA eligible.
  • Favorable Personnel Action: Soldiers who are flagged for Suspension of Favorable Personnel Actions cannot use TA until the flag is officially removed.

My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) Scholarship

My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) Scholarship

The My Career Advancement Account Scholarship is a workforce development program that provides eligible military spouses with financial assistance to pursue licenses, certifications, or associate degrees needed for an occupation or career field.

Key Benefits & Eligibility

  • Eligible Pay Grades: Spouses of service members in pay grades E-1 to E-9, W-1 to W-3, and O-1 to O-3.
  • Maximum Financial Allowance: Up to a $4,000 maximum education benefit, with an annual fiscal year cap of $2,000.
  • Annual Cap Waivers: Available for licensure and certification programs if upfront tuition costs exceed $2,000 (up to the full $4,000 total benefit limit).

Contact & Portal Access

For more information and to apply, visit the official portal:
MyCAA Military OneSource Portal

MyCAA Toll-Free Phone: (855) 520-6810
Military OneSource Main Line: 800-342-9647

Useful Links & Information

Education Links & Resources

Credentialing Assistance (CA)

  • Eligibility Onset: Soldiers can begin using Credentialing Assistance (CA) upon completion of Basic Training.
  • Fiscal Allowance: Eligible for up to $2,000 per fiscal year, used in conjunction with Tuition Assistance (TA).
  • Credential Limits: Limited to 1 credential per fiscal year and no more than 3 credentials per 10 years of service.
  • Approved Credentials: Eligible credentials are maintained and verified on the Army COOL website.
  • Submission Window: Requests must be submitted no earlier than 90 calendar days, but no later than 45 calendar days prior to the course or exam start date.
  • Covered Expenses: CA can be used toward training, associated materials, manuals, study guides, textbooks, processing fees, exam fees, and other related certification fees.
  • Exam Requirements: Training will not be funded if no vendor offers the exam. Exams must be completed within 180 days from the training end date.
  • Degree Restrictions: CA cannot be used for credentials associated with doctoral degrees.
  • Favorable Personnel Action: Soldiers who are flagged for Suspension of Favorable Personnel Actions cannot use CA until the flag is officially removed.

ArmyIgnitED Briefing Requirements

ArmyIgnitED is the Army’s online system used to manage Soldiers’ TA and CA benefits. Soldiers can set up an account by visiting the ArmyIgnitED Portal and selecting "Get Started."

Mandatory Briefing: Soldiers must attend a mandatory ArmyIgnitED 2.0 / TA Briefing at an Education Center prior to using TA for the first time. Education Goals in ArmyIgnitED will not be approved until attendance is verified.

Briefing Schedule:

  • Tuesdays at 0900: Schofield Barracks Education Center (Computer Lab)
  • Wednesdays at 1000: Tripler Army Education Center Complex (Bldg. 102)
  • Thursdays at 1500: Schofield Barracks Education Center (Computer Lab)