Donations keep AFAS fund filled for grants

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Reggie Manning
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Founded in 1942, the Air Force Aid Society is the official charity of the United States Air Force. As a private, non-profit organization, AFAS's mission is to help relieve financial distress of Air Force members and their families and assist them in financing their education goals.

AFAS specializes in loans such as the Falcon Loan, any sum of $500 or less, and also academic grants. One of the foundation's most prevalent grants is named after Gen. Henry H. Arnold, who alongside Gen. Carl Spaatz, was instrumental to the creation of the program.

The Gen. Henry H. Arnold Education Grant program has been extremely supportive to approved applicants as nearly 82,000 grants have been awarded since the program's
inception in 1988.

This program provides $2,000 need-based grants to full-time college undergraduates who are dependent children of active duty; Title 10 AGR/Reserve, retired and deceased Air Force members; spouses of active duty members and Title 10 AGR/Reserve; and surviving spouses of deceased personnel. Dependent children of full-time, active-duty AGR serving as Title 32 and of retired reservist with 20+ qualifying years are also eligible to compete for these grants.

This 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 ACT Scholarship and Recognition Services, according to the AFAS website.

There are several ways to make tax deductable donations to AFAS. People can donate via cash, securities or real property made payable to the Air Force Aid Society Education Fund. All contributions are absorbed by the Society's general operating cost, insuring that 100 percent of all donations received are strictly used for education purposes.

The Gen. Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program remains the centerpiece of the Society's education initiative. The program is competitive in its need-based selection criteria, and selected applicants are announced in June for each academic year. Funds awarded from this grant are designed for tuition, books, fees and any other direct educational needs.

The various programs offered by AFAS consistently support the financial and educational needs of Air Force members and qualified dependents.

For more information on the Gen. Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program and how to apply, visit www.afas.org or call the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 731-4900.