CEAP for Adult Leaders

All Adult Leaders

Integrity

CEAP is meant to help cadets with true financial need.  Please utilize integrity in applying on behalf of or approving cadets for CEAP. 

Confidentiality

Thank you for your assistance in keeping cadets' participation in the CEAP program confidential.  Please don't share the names of CEAP recipients beyond those who need to know.

Uniform Assistance 

Cadets who receive uniform assistance will receive an email from Vanguard with instructions.  Emailed vouchers will go to the commander, cadet and parent emails, if on file.  Funds for the vouchers are transferred directly from NHQ to Vanguard, they do not pass through the Wing or the cadet directly.  If cadets spend up to the allocated amount there will be no cost to them.  Families may spend more, but will be responsible for costs in excess of the voucher.  Vouchers may only be used on approved uniform items.  Vouchers are non-transferable and expire as indicated (they will not be reissued after the expiration date).  After that time all unused voucher funds revert back to CAP.  

For problems with the voucher, please email encampment@vanguardmil.com or call Norine at Vanguard at (800) 221-1264 X 271.

Prioritization of Support

CEAP funds are awarded to cadets in priority of need. Families who self-identify that they receive Federal assistance through well-known programs like SNAP, school lunch, Social Security, unemployment, etc., are “Priority 1.” Families with multiple cadets in the program or with a combined family income of less than $80,000 a year are  “Priority 2.” Families who self-identify as having a financial need but don't meet any of the previous criteria are "Priority 3." 

All applications will be reviewed the week after the CEAP applications close and funding will be approved based on available funds.

Priority will be given to first time students first of all priority levels before advanced students or cadre.  A cadet may get one CEAP award as a first-time student and one CEAP award as an advanced student or cadre member during their cadet career.

Application Deadlines - Updated for Fiscal Year 2026 (1 Oct 25 - 30 Sep 26)

First-timer status, financial priority level, and date of application are all factors in awarding funds.  Apply early for the best chance of receiving assistance.

CEAP Round	Applications Open	Applications Close
Winter CEAP	9am CT, 1 December 2025 (Monday)	5pm CT, 15 December 2025 (Monday)
Summer CEAP Round 1*	9am CT, 15 March 2026 (Sunday)	5pm CT, 15 April 2026 (Wednesday)
Summer CEAP Round 2**	9am CT, 1 June 2026 (Monday)	5pm CT, 15 June 2026 (Monday)
Winter CEAP (FY27)	9am CT, 15 October 2026 (Thursday)	5pm CT, 16 November 2026 (Monday)

*Summer CEAP Round 1: Includes all registered Spring and Summer encampments. Best chance at funding support.

**Summer CEAP Round 2: Includes only late Summer encampments (those beginning 18 July and after). Limited funding available.

Squadron Commanders

Approvals and Disapprovals

Squadron commanders must approve or disapprove a cadet's CEAP application before it may be processed by NHQ.  When considering approvals, no proof or documentation of a cadet's financial situation is required.  We just ask that you help keep the Air Force funds directed towards the families who need it most.  We expect that most cadets who raise their hands for assistance have a true need.  The squadron commander is in the best position to make sure that the funds stay targeted towards low-income families.

Application Errors

If there is an error in the application (wrong priority or need checked) then please email ceap@capnhq.gov to have it fixed. Disapproving an application with an error will block the cadet from re-applying during that cycle. Errors need to be fixed through email. Once the fix is complete then the commander can approve if appropriate. 

Multiple Applications

Squadron commanders serving units with a large number of economically disadvantaged cadets, or cadets without regular internet access, may apply on behalf of their cadets using the online application.  Simply enter the cadets CAPIDs answer the questions and submit. Please make sure to inform families that you have taken that action. 

DCPs, Encampment Commanders & Finance Officers

Encampment Info/CEAP Opt In

To have your encampment listed on the CEAP application and upcoming encampments page, please submit your encampment information here. 

Summer Encampment Registration Goal: 1 February 

Winter Encampment Registration Goal: 1 October

Off-season Encampment Registration Goal: 90 days prior to start

CP will email the ENC CC/Wing DCP/Wing CC 30 days out from CEAP opening asking Wings to opt-in to CEAP and reminding the Wings of the regulation CAPR 60-1 9.2.6:
“If an encampment accepts CEAP funds, all surplus encampment money remaining at the conclusion of the encampment shall remain under wing control and designated for cadet programs (CAPR 60-1, 9.2.6).”

Please opt in for the Spring/Summer 2026 CEAP season by COB Monday, 16 February.  The Wing CC, Wing DCP, or ENC CC emails hweaver@capnhq.gov with the following information:
1. Confirming the final student tuition rate for the encampment
2. Confirming the final cadre tuition rate for the encampment
3. Confirming the final advanced encampment student rates (if applicable)
4. Confirming the student dates for the encampment

Wings may ask for an extension if the encampment location/dates have not yet been finalized.  Please include a potential date the information would be available. 

CEAP Tuition Amount (NEW as of 3 Feb 26) 

The CEAP allocation rate is first based off of a per diem rate of $52/day (as of Oct 2025).  The first and last days are considered travel days calculated as 75% of the CEAP per diem rate.  This translates to $338 for 7 days, $390 for 8 days, and $442 for 9 days. Starting with the spring/summer 2026 CEAP cycle: 

• Encampments with tuition below the current per diem rate 

  • CEAP will fund the actual tuition amount

  • Example: Tuition of $250 (vs. a $338 per diem) will be funded at $250

• Encampments with tuition above the current per diem rate

  • CEAP will fund the actual tuition amount, up to a maximum of $500 per cadet

  • Example: Tuition of $450 (vs. a $338 per diem) will be funded at $450

• Advanced students and cadre

  • If funding remains after first-time students are supported, the same process will apply to advanced students and cadre, based on their tuition rate

  • It remains a best practice not to charge tuition for cadre when possible

  • As a reminder, CEAP can only be used for encampment tuition (first-time student, cadre, or advanced encampment student).  CEAP cannot be used for advanced schools that do not receive encampment credit or for RCLS that is co-hosted at the same time as an encampment. 

Transmitting Financial Assistance

We’ll transmit payment in one lump sum via EFT to the host wing account, 20 days prior to your encampment. 

CEAP Graduation Requirement

Due to the auditing procedures for these special funds, every dollar needs to be associated with the CAPID of a cadet who graduated from the wing encampment.  Although rare, it’s conceivable that a cadet who receives financial assistance might not show up for encampment or might not graduate. In that case, the wing must return that cadet’s financial assistance to National Headquarters.

Wing Level CEAP Report

The CEAP Wing Encampment Report is available through the Encampment Reports module in eServices.  It's viewable by Commanders, Vice Commanders, Chiefs of Staff, and Directors of Cadet Programs.  Others can be granted access by the WSA.  Please note that the “Status” column refers to unit commander approvals while the “NHQ Processed” column refers to the processing.  If NHQ Processed is Yes, NHQ will transfer tuition to the wing account.  If NHQ Processed is No, the cadet is on the waiting list for funds.  Wing encampment leadership should monitor the "Status" column for applications showing PENDING approval and reach out to the appropriate unit commanders for those cadets to remind them to address CEAP applications in their Encampment Assistance Approvals module.

Closing out CEAP

Encampments must complete the Encampment Entry report and enter in encampment participation data in order to wrap up CEAP.  Wrapping up CEAP quickly after your encampment frees up CEAP funding for wings with later encampments. Please don’t sit on your encampment report. Help others out by getting things done quickly.  A best practice is to get the report done within the week after encampment ends.  

Payments

Encampments are highly encouraged to utilize Registration Zone as there are several CEAP integrations.  A cadet is blocked from paying for encampment when they have applied to CEAP until the CEAP decisions are made.  Then the cadet is either unblocked from paying or shown as "paid in full" if they have received CEAP.  This cuts down greatly on reimbursements post encampment. If not utilizing Registration Zone, please consider how cadets receiving tuition assistance will interact with the registration/payment system.  Some wings have been able to give CEAP cadets a "coupon code" to bypass the mandatory payment  or create a free CEAP cadet category for registration purposes.  Families approved for CEAP should not have to put up any money for their cadet to attend the activity.

Refunds

If a cadet is approved for CEAP tuition assistance after they pay for encampment, the encampment must provide the family a refund after graduation.  Please communicate information about the Wing's refund process to the cadets/families approved for CEAP who have paid in advance including contact information for someone at the Encampment or Wing who can answer any questions.  

 

Questions?  ceap@capnhq.gov

Last update: 7 April 2026