General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant

Higher Education is a key to advancement and future success. Dependent children and spouses of Airmen and Guardians can work toward their dreams of a college degree with AFAS education grants, scholarships and loans. Please review the different opportunities below, and each program’s individual eligibility criteria, to find the one that is right for you.

The General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant program is the centerpiece of the Society’s education support initiatives, awarding competitive education grants to eligible Air Force and Space Force dependents based on family financial need. This award is so integral to AFAS education programs, in fact, that the application process for the Arnold Education Grant serves as the platform to access other important AFAS education support opportunities.

Since launching in 1988, nearly $167 million in Arnold Education Grants have been awarded to 109,499 hopeful scholars.

Applications for the 2024-2025 application year are now closed.  Applications are available during the grant cycle which runs from early January through April 30 each year.

This program, also known as the Hap Arnold Grant, is the centerpiece of the AFAS education support.  The application process for the Arnold Grant serves as a platform for other key education support opportunities at the Society, including the Merit Scholarship program, and Interest-free Supplemental loan program.

The Hap Arnold grant is uniquely tailored to recognize the proper weighing of family income and education costs.

Award amounts vary each year based on the number of applicants, total approved grant budget, applicant’s Student Aid Index (SAI) from FAFSA and cost of attendance at a college or university approved by the Department of Education.  The specific amount awarded correlates to a student’s particular level of financial need.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Children of U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force members in the following categories:

• Active Duty, Title 10 Reserve and Guard on extended active duty, and Title 32 Guard performing full-time active duty through December 1 of the academic year.
• Retired 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 (no other retired classifications are considered eligible).
• A deceased member who died while on active duty or in retired status.

Children must not reach age 24 during the award year.

Spouses of U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force members in the following categories:  

• Active Duty, Title 10 Reserve and Guard on extended active duty, and Title 32 Guard performing full-time active duty through December 1 of the academic year.
• Surviving spouses of Air Force and Space Force members who died while on active duty or in retired status.

Spouses must be legally married to the member (not separated or pending divorce) at the time of application and disbursement of award.

All applicants must:

• Be a high school graduate enrolled or accepted as a full-time undergraduate student in the upcoming academic year.
• Be enrolled or accepted in an accredited college, university or vocational/trade school approved by the U.S. Department of Education for participation in federal aid programs.
• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale and remain in good standing with the school.
• Not be a graduate or professional student.
• Not be a veteran or a member of the National Guard, Reserves or other military branch.
• Be considered a dependent of the Airman/Guardian for federal student aid purposes.

If you need assistance, please contact the Education Department at education@afas-hq.org or (703) 972-2647.  The fastest response method is via email communication.