Incorporated in 1942, the Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) embodies the great 5-Star General Henry “Hap” Arnold’s vision of an organization that supports Airmen, Guardians, and their families.

When unexpected emergencies arise, there is a financial need and help is needed, AFAS provides no-interest loans and/or grants to help meet immediate needs and make a positive step towards a lasting financial solution.

AFAS education grants, loans and scholarships are available to dependent children or spouses of Airmen and Guardians, both active duty and retired.

AFAS understands the challenges that come with active duty military life, from deployments to PCSs, and offers targeted community programs to help with such things as child care, car upkeep and spouse employment education.

The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) offers many different types of support. AFAS is open to all service members, although specific eligibility depends on the type of aid the service member applies for. Air National Guard service members on drilling status are eligible for financial assistance.

Emergency Financial Needs

AFAS offers two distinct interest free loans to help service members and their families when unexpected financial emergencies arise. Before deciding which loan to apply for, take a moment to compare details for both AFAS Standard Assistance and AFAS Falcon Assistance.

Standard Assistance is available to service members, along with their eligible family members, to meet immediate needs in an emergency. AFAS provides interest-free loans and grants based on the individual situation for needs such as:

• Basic Living Expenses
• Travel Emergencies
• Vehicle Repairs
• Funeral Expenses
• Medical/Dental Care
• Pet Transportation Assistance (To/From OCONUS-CONUS)
• Pet Emergency Surgery/Emergency Treatment
• Pay/Allotment Problems
• Assistance to Surviving Dependents
• Special Needs (Exceptional Family Members)
• Cranial Helmets

Air Force Reserve members will be required to complete an ACH Authorization to allow withdrawal of repayment from their bank account. Loans are usually repaid within 12 months and do not exceed 24 months.

Education Assistance

The General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program - Provides grants based on need are awarded to eligible Air Force dependents each year. The specific amount awarded correlates to a student’s particular level of financial need. Eligible dependents are full-time college undergraduates who are dependent children of:

• Active duty
• Title 10 Guard/Reserve members on extended active duty
• Title 32 Guard members performing full-time active duty
• Retired Service members
• due to length of active duty service or disability
• Retired AGR/Reserve with 20+ satisfactory service years creditable for retired pay and placed on the Air Force or Space Force Reserve Retired List
• Deceased service members who died while on active duty or in retired status.

Spouses of active-duty members, Title 10 Guard/Reserve and Surviving Spouses of deceased personnel are also eligible to compete for these grants.

Air Force Aid Society Merit & Grit Scholarship - A $5,000 scholarship, available to dependent children and spouses of active duty; Title 10 Guard/Reserve on extended active duty; Title 32 Guard performing full-time active duty; retired; and deceased Air Force members who demonstrate outstanding academic potential based on GPA, or used Grit (Growth, Resilience, Integrity and Tenacity) in overcoming a specific challenge in their academic journey. Students who have already been vetted through the Arnold Education Grant application process will be evaluated based on cumulative GPA, high school transcripts and an essay written on a specified topic.

Students chosen to receive a Merit or Grit Scholarship are announced in June. Funds are disbursed directly to their college or university in August and limited to use for tuition, fees, books and curriculum-required materials.

A minimum of 20 scholarships are awarded annually.

AFAS Supplemental Education Loan - A zero-interest loan to help meet college expenses such as books, fees and supplies. Maximum loan amount for each eligible student is $1,000 distributed from Zelle or direct Bank ACH and repaid by allotment taken over 12 months directly from a member’s military/retired pay or bank account. Supplemental education loans are only available to dependents who have already successfully completed both parts of the Henry “Hap” Arnold Education Grant application.

The same eligibility criteria required for the Arnold Education Grant are required for the supplemental education loan.

Receiving an Arnold Education Grant is not a pre-requisite to receipt of a Supplemental Loan. A student can receive a Supplemental Education Loan without receiving the needs-based Arnold Education Grant.

Community Programs

Community programs offered by AFAS vary between installations. Visit your local Military & Family Readiness Center for a complete list of services available. Services available may include:

• Bundles for Babies
• Child Care Programs
  • Give Parents a Break
  • Child Care for PCS
• “Bee” Arnold Spouse Tuition Program
  • Education Childcare Grant
• Spouse Employment Program

Applying:
Service members, along with eligible family members, who have an emergency need and are at an Air Force base may apply online at https://portal.afas.org/SignIn or in person at the Air Force Aid office in the Military and Family Readiness Center. Service members, along with eligible family members, who have an emergency and are not near an Air Force base may apply for Air Force Aid assistance through any of the following agencies:

Army Emergency Relief (located at Army installations, worldwide)

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (located at Coast Guard installations, worldwide)

Navy - Marine Corps Relief Society (located at Navy installations, worldwide)

If there is no military installation within 50 miles of you, please contact the American Red Cross at 1-877-272-7337

For more information contact the Air Force Aid Society at 703-972-2650 or visit their website at:
https://afas.org/