AF Aid Society grant program

  • Published
  • By Airman and Family Readiness Center
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Since its inception in 1942, the Air Force Aid Society has been committed to helping Airmen and their families realize their academic goals through the an education grant program.

The centerpiece of the society's education initiatives is the General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program which provides $2,000 grants to selected sons and daughters of active duty, Title 10 AGR and Reserve, Title 32 AGR performing full-time active duty, retired, retired reserve and deceased Air Force members. It is also available to stateside spouses of active duty members and Title 10 AGR and Reservists as well as surviving spouses of deceased personnel for their undergraduate studies.

The value and success of this program is demonstrated in the 99,530 grants disbursed since the first awards were made for the 1988-1989 academic year. Complete eligibility criteria can be found on the Air Force Aid Society web site at www.afas.org.

Due to the need-based selection method that factors in the education cost, it is uniquely tailored for Air Force families. All ranks are encouraged to apply for a grant.

For the 2013-2014 academic year, more than 2,500 education grants totaling more than 5.8 million dollars were awarded.

For applicants who completed the entire application process the overall selection rate for the Air Force was 83 percent and 100 percent for Hanscom. Over the last three years, spouses and children of Hanscom servicemembers received $74,800 in scholarship grants.

The General Arnold Education Grant Program is administered by ACT Scholarship and Recognition Services. ACT, located in Iowa City, Iowa, is an independent, not-for-profit organization with nearly 50 years' experience in providing support services to scholarship sponsors.

Eligible spouses and children wishing to apply must do so on-line only at www.afas.org. Application deadline is March 7. Results will be announced in June 2014.

For further information, contact Dan Mazzuca at the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 781-225-2765.