Step 1: Advising

Contact the Fort Carson Education Center to meet with a Counselor to plan your college degree. Be sure that you understand your degree plan and what tuition charges and fees the Army will approve and support with Military Tuition Assistance (TA) dollars.  If you are interested in a PPCC associate’s degree, please contact the Fort Carson PPCC office at (719) 502-4200 to make an appointment with the PPCC academic advisor or send an email to mil.programs@ppcc.edu.

Step 2: Apply

Apply to PPCC before you request TA through GoArmyEd (GAE).  It’s simple and it’s free!  Complete an online application.  This process takes about 24- to 48-hours for review and approval.  Confirm your PPCC application through GAE.  The Army requires that you also apply to PPCC using the GAE portal.  This establishes your eligibility to attend PPCC, generates a Student Agreement, and enables you to request TA.  Processing through the Army portal requires a two-business day turnaround.

Step 3: Take the Placement Test

This is a Colorado state requirement and is one test that everyone aces. The Accuplacer Placement Test is available at the Fort Carson and Peterson AFB offices.  Please review for placement testing days, times and locations for testing services.  You can also contact our office to request online study guides to assist in preparing for the placement test. 

Step 4: Credit for Military Service

To learn how your military service may apply to a PPCC Associates Degree, please choose Credit for Prior Learning.  If you have any questions concerning this process, please send an email to the DMVP Credit for Prior Learning Advisor at Richard.Rayborn@ppcc.edu.

Step 5: Transfer Courses

You may already be well on the way to getting a degree from PPCC! You should tell the DMVP advisor of any college-level courses that you have already successfully completed from an accredited college or university.  Additionally, you should request an official transcript be sent from your former college(s) to PPCC at:

   Pikes Peak Community College
   Campus Box 8
   5675 South Academy Blvd.
   Colorado Springs, CO  80906

Download a Transcript Request Form
We can accept hand-carried transcripts only if they are in their original, sealed envelopes from the granting college/university.

Step 6: Turn in a Green Form

Submitting the Tuition Classification Certification form or Green Form enables you and your family members to receive the PPCC in-state tuition rate.  This form must be submitted every semester/term in which the student enrolls.  The Green Form is available at the Fort Carson Education Center and should be turned in at the PPCC office, room 118 at the education center.

IMPORTANT:  Military members permanently assigned (PCS) to Colorado and their family members must have the Green Form completed and signed by an Education Services official at the Fort Carson Education Center.  Failure to submit a Green Form by the published drop (or census) date of the semester/term in which the student is enrolled will result in the student being charged the PPCC non-resident tuition rate. Military members not on PCS orders to Colorado and their family members are not eligible to receive the Green Form.  As a result, they will be charged the non-resident tuition rate. 

Step 7: Apply for the College Opportunity Fund (COF)

Military members permanently assigned (PCS) to an installation in Colorado and their family members must register for the College Opportunity Fund (COF). You only need to register once but if you don’t you will be personally responsible for paying the tuition portion that COF would have paid. Remember, you must always authorize the use of your COF funds for your classes each semester/term when you register.  Military TA will not pay the COF amount of the tuition bill.  If you do not have a Colorado Drivers License or if you have had a Colorado Drivers License for less than one year, please visit the PPCC Office at the Fort Carson Education Center to complete a paper copy of the COF application.  If you have had a Colorado Drivers License longer than one year, you may complete and submit the COF application form online.  If you have any questions about COF registration, please send us an email at mil.programs@ppcc.edu.

Military members not on PCS orders to Colorado and their family members are not eligible to receive the Green Form.  As a result, they will be charged the non-resident tuition rate.

Step 8: Register for Classes

Check out the latest class offerings by reviewing the current class schedule.  If you need assistance, send us an e-mail at mil.programs@ppcc.edu or come to the Fort Carson Education Center, room 118 to register for the class(es) you are interested in.

Important Note: The registration process is a great deal easier if you register with PPCC first and then confirm your PPCC registration with GAE!  Registering with PPCC first ensures you have a seat in the class(es) you want and are eligible to take.  GAE is not aware of Colorado course prerequisite requirements nor does GAE allow you to register for classes more than eight weeks in advance.  Failure to register through GAE will result in the Army denying you TA for your classes.  Make sure you register for the same course(s) and section number that you registered for with PPCC. 

Step 9: Books and Course Materials

You can order your books and materials through the on-line PPCC Bookstore.  Of course you can visit any one of the campus bookstores to purchase textbooks, course materials and the latest outerwear and PPCC accessories.  Please make sure you order or purchase your books in ample time to receive them for the first class session.

Step 10: Apply for Financial Aid

Besides Military TA, you might be eligible for financial aid to defray some of the costs not covered by TA.  Getting help is easier than you think. The earlier you submit your financial aid application the better your chances to be considered for all available sources of financial assistance. Apply online at fafsa.ed.gov.  

Step 11: Changing Your Schedule

Classes can be added, changed, or dropped in GAE to match your PPCC class schedule only up until the last day of registration. If you need to add/change/drop a class, do so on or before the drop (census) date in the PPCC Portal. Make sure to also drop the class in GAE.  Once the semester/term begins and the drop period passes, classes cannot be changed in GAE without close coordination with the PPCC office on Fort Carson.

Step 12: Withdraw After a Class Has Begun

If you are unable to complete a class due to military reasons (duty, deployment, etc.) the Army must be notified through GAE or you will be held responsible for paying the TA dollars. Be sure to also comply with the PPCC published withdraw deadlines. If you need to drop or withdraw from a class, log into the PPCC Portal, click the "Add or Drop Classes" link found under the Student tab, in the Registration Tools channel.  PPCC rules regarding drop and withdraw deadlines, grades, fees, and appeal and waiver requirements can be reviewed in the current PPCC catalog.

Beyond the Associates Degree

Pikes Peak Community College classes are easily transferable to other community colleges as well as four year institutions across the country.  The challenges of military duty, family activities and a busy life style in general do not make it easy to attend a classroom.  That's when the PPCC Degrees at Ease Online Campus becomes an excellent option for continuing or completing an associate’s degree.  If you have Internet access, then this program is for you.  This degree option makes it easy for you to achieve your educational goal in quick time.  How does the Degrees at Ease Online Campus work?  To get that information and to find degree transfer options beyond the associates degree program, please choose Degrees at Ease Online Campus.