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Education Programs History
For over 60 years, the Air Force Aid Society has been known primarily for its emergency assistance efforts aimed at helping active duty members and their families cope with short-term financial needs. However, it's important to recognize that dating back to WWII, the Society has also extended significant financial assistance for education programs, offerings made possible by the establishment of the Air Force Aid Society Education Fund. That this fund continues to thrive is a tribute to the wisdom and foresight of General Henry "Hap" Arnold and General Carl "Tooey" Spaatz who were instrumental in its creation.
During the period from 1945 to 1979, the Society's Education Fund was able to provide over $31 million in direct education loan assistance to 19,000 Air Force families. A change of direction came in 1979 when the Society phased out its internally managed loan program in an attempt to broaden access to educational assistance through the Department of Education's Guaranteed Student/Parent Loan programs. These programs were initially of enormous benefit to Air Force families, particularly in the first two years when 23,000 applicants qualified for $52 million in guaranteed loans. Unfortunately, increasingly restrictive needs tests diminished the value of these programs to the point where the Society decided to explore additional educational assistance initiatives to meet Air Force community needs. Beginning in 1988, the Society launched the first of its own grant and loan programs that would eventually supplant participation in government sponsored programs. Guaranteed Student/Parent Loans were phased out in early 1993 as new emphasis was put on revitalizing the Education Fund to support more direct value programs.
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Revitalized Aid for Education
The revitalized Air Force Aid Society Education Fund enables the Society to sustain an extremely popular grant program, the General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program. 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 (residing and attending schools within the lower 48 contiguous states) 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.
The Education Funds also supports another extremely beneficial program, the General George S. Brown Spouse Tuition Assistance Program, that provides up to $1,500 in tuition costs annually to spouses who have accompanied active duty members to their overseas assignments (includes Alaska and Hawaii).
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Education Grant Program
The General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant program, in particular, has been an overwhelmingly popular initiative as nearly 82,000 grants have been awarded since the program's inception in 1988. Each award carries the name of an individual or organization exemplifying service to the Air Force. Perpetual grants are established in the names of General of the Air Force Henry (HAP) Arnold, Generals George S. Brown, Curtis E. Lemay, Carl A. Spaatz, Nathan F. Twining, Hoyt S. Vandenberg, Ira C. Eaker, Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr., Jerome F. O'Malley and CMSGTs of the Air Force Richard D. Kisling, Arthur L. "Bud" Andrews, and Donald L. Harlow - along with many others. Grants have also been created in the names of groups such as Air Force POW and MIA during Vietnam, Members of the Army Air Forces during World War II and Women in the Air Force, just to list a few. These grants have already been established, assuring at least one grant will be given in each of these names in future years.
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You Can Help...Donate to the Education Grant Program
There are several ways tax deductible donations can be made to the Air Force Aid Society's Education Grant Program. You may donate to one of the established named awards, create a new named award in perpetuity, or fund a one-time award. Donations may be made in the form of cash, securities or real property, and should be made payable to the Air Force Aid Society Education Fund. All costs involved in administering this fund will be absorbed by the Society's general operating costs. This insures that 100% of all contributions received will be used for educational purposes.
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Existing Named Awards in Perpetuity
The AFAS has named awards that honor individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to the Air Force and the Society. Each award provides $2,000 in grant funding to qualified students on an annual basis. Click here to view the existing Named Awards.
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New Named Awards in Perpetuity
Individuals and groups may also establish new named awards in perpetuity with the AFAS. To create a named award, a minimum contribution of $22,000 is required. To this $22,000, the Society will add $3,000 and will insure $2,000 will be given annually to a qualified student. Additional blocks of $22,000 in contributions will also receive $3,000 from the Society and result in additional $2,000 grants. We also offer the option for donors to contribute the $22,000 required to create an education grant in perpetuity over a 2-year period. Please contact AFAS HQ at 1-800-769-8951 for information on how to establish a new Named Award.
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One-time Named Awards
A minimum contribution of $2,000 will provide a $2,000 award to be given on a one-time basis in honor of an individual or group. Please contact AFAS HQ at 1-800-769-8951 for information on how to establish a one-time Named Award.
Contributions to the Education Fund
Undesignated contributions will be deposited in the Air Force Aid Society Education Fund and will be used to support the Society's education programs.
NOTE: Specific award criteria will be honored providing requests are not highly restrictive. The Society reserves the right to screen, and possible deny, requests to establish named awards for individuals or groups whose character and/or philosophy is counter to the values and tradition of the United States Air Force.
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