Army Continuing Education System (ACES)

FORT JACKSON EDUCATION CENTER                                      

Counseling

Monday- Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Army Education Center provides assistance to Soldiers and their adult Family Members in developing long and short term educational/professional plans for personal development and growth. Education Counselors are available to assist with assessing strengths and promoting opportunities for growth based on interests and experience. On a daily basis, Education Counselors work with Soldiers on getting set up for and using their Tuition Assistance through the ArmyIgnitED portal, in-processing, out-processing, GI Bill questions, financial aid opportunities, local and non-local college information, degree plan options,and more. If it is related to college education, bring it to the Education Center and get questions answered.

Tuition Assistance

The Tuition Assistance (TA) Program provides financial assistance for voluntary off-duty civilian education programs in support of a Soldier's professional and personal self-development goals. TA is a Public Law that is implemented by Department of Defense (DOD) Directive and DOD Instruction, and all Soldiers (officers, warrant officers, enlisted) on active duty, Army National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers on active duty (pursuant to U.S. Code Title 10 or Title 32), and TPU Soldiers are authorized to participate in the TA program. Tuition assistance pays up to $250 per credit hour, a maximum of 16 semester hours or $4,000 per fiscal year.

The Upgraded ArmyIgnitED system launched on August 29, 2022. Soldiers must now visit https://www.armyignited.army.mil/ to request tuition assistance. A common access card is still required to access the system; a military email address is not. Once logged into the system, Soldiers have access to many tutorials to assist with navigating the tuition assistance process.

IMPORTANT: Soldiers may submit TA requests up to 60 days before the class start date but MUST submit the requests no later than seven (7) days prior to the class start date.

   ArmyIgnitED Help Desk Phone Number: (276) 231-0938

   ArmyIgnitED Help Desk Email: army@bamtech.net

Credentialing Assistance

• Credentialing Assistance (CA) is available to Soldiers through Army IgnitED. CA can be used to pursue courses and exams for over 1,500 credentials, certifications and licenses. Soldiers can request CA funding for any credential listed in Army Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL):   https://www.cool.osd.mil/army/index.html Funding for CA is limited by TA usage; Soldiers are allotted $4,000 for the combined usage of TA/CA per fiscal year. As of Oct. 13, 2021, Commissioned Officers and Warrant Officers will no longer incur a two-year military service obligation for using CA. 
• Start your Credentialing Assistance (CA) process by attending one of the mandatory briefings held every 2nd and 4th Thursday at 10 a.m. via MS Teams. Soldiers must now visit https://www.armyignited.army.mil/ to request credentialing assistance. IMPORTANT: Soldiers may submit CA requests up to 90 days before the class start date but MUST submit the requests no later than 45 days prior to the class start date. 

     *Due to the Fiscal Year 2023 Continuing Resolution that funds the government through Dec. 16, 2022, Soldiers will not be able to submit Credentialing Assistance Requests for exams or trainings with start dates between Dec. 17, 2022 and Jan. 9, 2023*

Career Skills (CSP)

The Career Skills Program (CSP) allows transitioning service members the opportunity to participate in employment skills training, on-the-job training, or pre-apprenticeships with the possibility of employment. Participation must occur within the last 180 days of military service, with an honorable discharge and with command approval.

Effective Aug. 2, 2022, all briefings are virtual and conducted by the CSP Regional Coordinator located at Fort Stewart, Georgia. The virtual briefings will be held on alternating Tuesdays, twice a month at 10 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. To obtain the CSP meeting link and/or submit an application, call (912) 767-6720.

Higher Education Counseling

The MANAGING YOUR (MY) EDUCATION classes are two-day events, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m at the education center. The purpose of this class is to assist Service Members and their dependents in determining their career, personal and academic goals. Guidance is provided in determining degree choices, college selection factors, understanding all funding options and the college admission process. Please call (803) 751-4762 for more information.

Dates for upcoming Managing Your Education class below:

- January 18-19, 2023

- April 11-12, 2023

Testing Center

All exams must be scheduled in advance. Call (803) 751-5341 for an appointment or further info.

Testing schedule may change without advance notice. Please call the education center to schedule your exam.

** (OPI) Oral Proficiency Interview scheduled on “as needed” basis

A confirmed registration and DA 4187 is required for exams. Arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled exam to in-process.

Soldier may require a NIPR account to test; therefore, all Soldiers must come to the Education Center at least two (2) days before the actual testing date to confirm your Common Access Card (CAC) works on the testing system. ‘

 **The DLPT, AFCT, SIFT, OPI and DLAB require a completed Department of Army (DA) 4187 form noting the name of the exam. The DA 4187 must be “digitally signed” by both the Soldier and the Soldier’s Commander with their CAC and submitted to the Education Center prior to the day of testing.

See Forms section for examples.

National Test Center

(803) 782-3213
Education Center - Room 110
Placement Testing is available at Fort Jackson by appointment only during thetimes listed below. Schedule an appointment HERE.

Colleges On Post

Basic Skills Education Program (BSEP)

BSEP provides sessions to help Soldiers master mathematical, reading and writing skills required by their Army jobs. Sometimes the BSEP Program is often referred to as Functional Academic Skills Training (FAST) or GT Improvement.

BSEP/FAST serves as the Commander's primary on-duty education program. While on duty, it is an opportunity for Soldiers to study and increase their education skills. Upon completion, Soldiers can re-take various Army personnel tests that can assist in changing MOS fields, apply for opportunities in programs such as Officer Candidate School, Warrant Officer School, Green-to-Gold, the Physician Assistant (PA) program and other career advancing opportunities. Below are available class dates for 2023:

The  GT Improvement/BSEP Class Checklist can be found here:

Useful Links

Education & Tuitions Assistance: HTTPS://WWW.ARMYIGNITED.ARMY.MIL/STUDENT

DANTES: HTTP://WWW.DANTES.DODED.MIL/

Joint Services Transcript: HTTPS://JST.DODED.MIL/

Veterans Affairs Education Page (GI BILL): HTTP://WWW.BENEFITS.VA.GOV/GIBILL

Joint Services Transcripts: HTTPS://JST.DODED.MIL/JST/

Financial Aid: HTTPS://STUDENTAID.GOV/H/APPLY-FOR-AID/FAFSA

Scholarships: HTTPS://FISHERHOUSE.ORG/PROGRAMS/SCHOLARSHIPS/

Student Loan Forgiveness: HTTPS://STUDENTAID.GOV/MANAGE-LOANS/FORGIVENESS-CA...

Foreign Evaluation Services: HTTPS://WWW.NACES.ORG/ , HTTP://AICE-EVAL.ORG/

Troops To Firefighters: HTTPS://WWW.TROOPSTOFIREFIGHTERS.ORG/,HTTPS://WWW.TROOPSTOFIREFIGHTERS.ORG/RECRUIT-SIGN-...

SPOUSE BENEFITS MYCAA WEBSITE

Kuder Journey: HTTPS://WWW.DANTES.DODED.MIL/EDUCATIONPROGRAMS/PRE...

Occupational Outlook Handbook: HTTPS://WWW.ONETONLINE.ORG/

Army COOL: HTTPS://WWW.COOL.OSD.MIL/ARMY/

Career Path DECIDE: HTTPS://WWW.CAREERPATHDECIDE.ORG/CAREER-PLANNING/QUICK-MATCH