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Money for college - AFAS grants available for Air Force families

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Bekah Phy
  • 305th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. --  Applications are currently being accepted for the Air Force Aid Society's Gen. Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program, which provides $2,000 grants those selected. The application deadline is March 6. 

The program is offered to children of active duty; retired, retired Reserve and deceased Air Force members; and spouses of stateside active-duty members. All eligible students must enroll as full-time undergraduates in colleges, universities or vocational/trade schools whose accreditation is approved by the U.S. Department of Education for participation in federal aid programs and must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 grading scale.

"I really encourage all eligible family members to apply for the grant," said Betsy Vicari, Airman and Family Readiness Center community readiness consultant. "The Air Force Aid Society has a very high rate of awards. Last year at McGuire, 53.8 percent of the children who applied and 60 percent of spouses received the grants." 

The value and success of the program, is demonstrated in the 85,287 grants disbursed since the first awards were made for the 1988-1989 academic year, according to the Web site. Last year, AFAS awarded $7 million in college education grants to Air Force family members. 

The grant program remains competitive in its need-based selection criteria, uniquely tailored to recognize the proper weighing of family income and education cost factors, and is administered by American College Testing Recognition Program Services, Ms. Vicari said. 

"Senior NCOs and officers should not opt out of the competition just because they believe their rank or income disqualifies them," an AFAS representative said. "This program is tailored for Air Force families with college students, and all of them are encouraged to compete for this opportunity." 

Applications can be downloaded at www.afas.org. Completed applications must be received at Air Force Aid Headquarters no later than March 6. For more information, visit the Web site or call the A&FRC at (609) 754-3154. 

According to the Web site, since its inception in 1942, the Air Force Aid Society has been committed to helping Air Force members and their families realize their academic goals. In recent years, the society's emphasis has been on direct funding of new initiatives that provide greater value to Air Force families.