Scholarships available for Airmen, family members from variety of sources

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Emerald Ralston
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Many members of Team Malmstrom could possibly miss out on thousands of dollars each year in scholarship money. Scholarships are available through a variety of organizations such as the Defense Commissary Agency, the Air Force Association, Air Force Sergeants Association, and many more. Here on base, the Education and Training Center is a great resource for what is available locally, or what the staff members there can assist with. 

The DeCA scholarship is awarded through the "Scholarships for Military Children" program. Information about this scholarship can be found at www.commissaries.com and clicking on the scholarship link. Applications are available at the commissary or can be downloaded at the Web site. Completed applications are due by Feb. 18. A minimum of one $1,500 scholarship will be awarded at every commissary location where qualified applications are received. 

The Air Force Association is another great source of scholarship opportunities. Some of the opportunities available there include: 
- Lt. Col. Romeo and Josephine Bass Ferretti Scholarship: Two $2,500 scholarships to be awarded based upon high academic achievement, good character and financial need for students pursuing an undergraduate degree in science, technology, engineering or math. 

- Pitsenbarger Award: A one-time grant of $400 to selected top enlisted personnel graduating from the Community College of the Air Force who plan to pursue a baccalaureate degree. Students interested should contact the Education and Training Office for application deadlines and procedures. 

- Jodi Callahan Memorial Scholarship: One $1,000 scholarship is presented to an active duty Air Force, full time Air National Guard or full time Air Force Reserve member, officer or enlisted, pursuing a master's degree in a non-technical field of study. 

- Air Force Excellence Scholarship: In 2008, five $3,000 scholarships were awarded. 

- Spouse Scholarships: The number and amounts awarded are based on available funding and the number of qualified applications received. Scholarships are awarded in June each year and checks are sent to recipients in September. 

- Air Force Association First Command Educational Foundation ROTC Scholarship: Information for 2009 has not yet been posted to the Web site; however, details from 2008 are available for review. The award consists of two $5,000 scholarships presented to AFROTC students coming into their junior or senior year committed to a course of study in science, technology, engineering or math. 

Complete information can be found at the AFA Web site, www.afa.org/aef/default.asp?pm=asg. 

The Air Force Sergeants Association has scholarships available for active-duty members, their children and their spouses. Some of them include: 

- AFSA Scholarship Program: Awards one $1,000 scholarship and two $1,500 academic excellence scholarships to family members of AFA or AFSA members 

- CMSAF Scholarship Program: Varying amounts granted; also awarded to family members of Air Force personnel. 

- AMF Scholarship Program: Last year awarded 13 - $1,000 scholarships; one $2,000 Richard Howard Scholarship; two $2,000 memorial scholarships; and one $1,000 memorial scholarship. 

- AFSA International Auxiliary Education Grant Program: Grants are awarded based on available funds, but will not exceed $2,000 per person. 

Complete information can be found at www.hqafsa.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Education_Assistance&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=2769. 

More scholarship information can be obtained at the following Web sites: 

The National Military Family Web site, www.nmfa.org. Scholarships range in amount from $500 to $1,000 and the number awarded depends on funding. 

The Federal Student Aid Web site, www.fafsa.ed.gov. Click on the Grants and Contracts pull down option for complete information. 

The U.S. Department of Education Web site, www.ed.gov. 

The Financial Aid Web site, www.finaid.org/military. Provides separate links to loan opportunities and scholarships with another connection to a search engine through military.com for specific scholarship types. 

For further information on scholarships and financial aid for military members and families, contact the Education and Training Center at 731-3531.