Air Force Association Scholarships

Many of our nation’s Airmen, Guardians, and their spouses and families are on missions to complete higher education degrees. For years, the Air & Space Forces Association has funded those efforts as part of its own mission to support and encourage the prosperity of our nation’s Air & Space Force community.

In 2024, AFA contributed more than $110,000 to Airmen, Guardians, their spouses, and their children through 11 unique scholarships. The scholarships help fund college tuition, flight school, dental school, Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings, and even full rides to certain universities.

Applications are accepted December 1 to April 30 each year. Selections will be announced in July.

Colonel Aaron Burgstein Memorial Scholarship

Provides $1,000 annually to minor dependents of Active, Guard, Reserve, veteran, or retired members of any service branch pursuing a degree at an accredited college or university.

Captain Jodi Callahan Memorial Scholarship

Provides $3,000 to USAF/USSF Active Duty, Guard, or Reserve personnel pursuing a master’s degree in a non-technical field.

Lt. Col. Romeo and Josephine Bass Ferretti Scholarship

Provides $5,000 to minor dependents of Air and Space Forces Active Duty, Reserve, or Air National Guard enlisted Airmen pursuing an undergraduate STEM degree.

Mike & Gail Donley Spouse Scholarships

Provides $2,500 annually to encourage Air Force or Space Force spouses worldwide to pursue higher education.

Col. Loren J. and Mrs. Lawona R. Spencer Scholarship

Provides three $5,000 scholarships for Air Force personnel (Active Duty, civilian, or full-time National Guard or Reserve) to pursue graduate-level education in management and administration in preparation for senior-level leadership roles.

John C. and Blanche Lee Lindsay Memorial Scholarship

Provides one $2,500 scholarship to a child of members of the United States Air Force who is pursuing a college degree.

Delta Dental Grants

Provides five $2,000 scholarships and grants to military spouses, military dependents, and transitioning service members for the advancement of oral health and wellness.

Dr. Sydell Perlmutter Gold Memorial Scholarship

Provides a renewable $5,000 annual scholarship (for a total possible award of $20,000) to the daughter of Active, Guard, or Reserve Air Force members pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field.

Destin Flight Works Pilot Training Scholarship

Funded by Vertol Systems Company, Inc., this program provides one AFA member per year up to $10,000 toward pilot training courses, instructor fees, and aircraft rental, leading to a private pilot’s license at the Destin Flight Works school in Destin, Fla.

The George and Vicki Muellner Foundation Scholarship

Created through a generous contribution by the George and Vicki Muellner Foundation, two scholarships in the amount of $5,000 each are awarded annually to eligible college students in Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings (AAS-SW). Applications are accepted September through November each academic year.