Scholarship application season is here Published Feb. 17, 2009 By Meredith March 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Snow is still on the ground and winter break is not yet a distant memory, which could make thinking about scholarships for the 2009-2010 school year seem premature. With application deadlines approaching in March, however, it is imperative for military spouses and dependents planning to attend college in upcoming semesters to seriously consider scholarship opportunities. To assist new and returning students with this task, scholarship and grant information provided to Hanscom is listed below, as well as additional online scholarship and grant references. 2009 Hanscom Spouses Club Scholarships Hanscom Spouses Club merit-based scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors and spouses of active-duty, retired or deceased military members of any branch of service. The scholarships, which ranged from $1500 to $5000 in 2008, will be awarded in May. See the application form for details and eligibility requirements. Application forms may be found at most local high schools and at Hanscom's Base Library, Education and Training Center, Airman and Family Readiness Center, Minuteman Club and Thrift Shop. Applications are also available for download from the HSC website at www.hanscomsc.org. Applications will be due March 16. Impartial judges will determine the winners. For more information contact Glynis Olson at (781) 275-5003 or e-mail scholarship@hanscomsc.org. General 'Hap' Arnold Education Grant Program Applications for the Air Force Aid Society's General 'Hap' Arnold Education grant program will only be available online at www.afas.org, under Education and Arnold Grant. The deadline to submit applications is March 6. The program offers grants of $2000 to dependent children of active-duty servicemembers, Title 10 reservists on extended active duty, Title 32 AGR performing full-time active duty, retired Air Force members, retired reservists with more than 20 years of qualifying service and deceased Air Force members. Spouses of active-duty members and Title 10 reservists residing and attending school within the lower 48 contiguous states, as well as surviving spouses of Air Force members who died while on active duty or in retired status, are also eligible candidates. All eligible students must enroll as full-time undergraduates in colleges, universities or vocational or trade schools which are accredited by the U.S. Department of Education for participation in federal aid programs. Students must also maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 grade scale. For more information contact the Education Assistance Department of the Air Force Aid Society at (800) 429-9475. Scholarship and grant references To determine military scholarship availability, individuals can fill out the Military.com Scholarship Finder at http://aid.military.com/scholarship/search-for-scholarships.do. Other Web sites with scholarship information include: · www.military.com · www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil · www.militaryscholar.org · www.milspouse.org/Educ/Fund · www.moaa.org · www.scholarship.com · www.fastweb.com · www.finaid.org · www.collegeboard.com · www.students.gov · www.thanksusa.org · www.commissaries.com For more information regarding military spouse and dependent scholarships, call the Airman and Family Readiness Center at (781) 377-4222.