AIR & SPACE FORCES AID SOCIETY INC logo

AFAS Merit and Grit Scholarships

AIR & SPACE FORCES AID SOCIETY INC

Foundation Annual Grants for VeteransGrants for Education
Apply Now

Funding Amount

$5,000

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

AFAS Merit and Grit Scholarships

Overview: Merit-based achievement scholarship program for high-performing Air Force dependents.

Eligibility:

  • Incoming college and university freshmen

  • Must have completed the General Henry "Hap" Arnold Education Grant application

  • Must have 4.0 cumulative GPA

  • Dependent children of active-duty or retired Air Force members

  • Spouses of active-duty members

  • Surviving spouses of active or retired members

    • Award Amount: $5,000 per scholarship

    Selection Criteria:

  • Cumulative GPA scores

  • High school transcripts

  • Written essay on specified topic (topics vary by year; examples include: sexual assault/bullying/school shootings, how students recovered from mistakes/challenges/disappointment)

    • Program Statistics:

  • Minimum of 10 scholarships awarded annually

  • As of 2020, AFAS has awarded 275 merit scholarships totaling over $1 million

  • Approximately 30 scholarships awarded annually in recent years

    • Geographic Scope: Air Force families worldwide

    Organization Contact:

  • Air & Space Forces Aid Society

  • 1550 Crystal Drive, Suite 809

  • Arlington, VA 22202

  • Phone: 703-972-2650

  • Website: afas.org

    • How to Apply

    Application Process

    1. Primary Application: Complete the General Henry "Hap" Arnold Education Grant application first

    2. Invitation: Selected applicants with 4.0 GPA will be notified and invited to apply for merit scholarships

    3. Merit Application Requirements:
    - Submit written essay on specified topic (essay topic changes annually)
    - Provide cumulative GPA documentation
    - Submit high school transcripts

    4. Evaluation Criteria:
    - Cumulative GPA scores
    - High school transcripts
    - Quality and content of written essay
    - Understanding of topic and ability to defend position

    5. Submission: Applications submitted through afas.org

    6. Timeline: Applications typically submitted during spring semester for upcoming academic year

    Note: This is an invitation-only scholarship after initial Arnold Education Grant application.

    Apply with Grantable Learn more

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    veteranseducation

    Categories

    Browse similar grants by category

    Grants for VeteransGrants for Education

    Related Grants

    Similar grants from this funder and related organizations

    Foundation

    The Fabulous Find Monthly Partnership Grant

    Amount

    Varies

    Deadline

    Rolling / Open

    Monthly
    Foundation

    BJA Veterans Treatment Court Program

    Amount

    $950,000 - $2,500,000

    Deadline

    April 27, 2026

    Annual
    Foundation

    Children of Warriors National Presidents' Scholarship

    Amount

    $5,000 per scholarship (3 scholarships awarded annually per geographic division, 15 total)

    Deadline

    September 30, 2026

    Annual
    Foundation

    Spirit of Youth Scholarship for Junior Members

    Amount

    Varies

    Deadline

    September 30, 2026

    Annual
    Foundation

    Non-Traditional Student Scholarship

    Amount

    Varies

    Deadline

    September 30, 2026

    Annual
    Foundation

    Member Loyalty Scholarship (Junior Member Loyalty Scholarship)

    Amount

    $2,500 per scholarship (10 scholarships awarded - 2 per division)

    Deadline

    September 30, 2026

    Annual

    Ready to apply for AFAS Merit and Grit Scholarships?

    Grantable helps you assess fit, draft narratives, and track deadlines — so you can submit stronger applications, faster.

    Apply with Grantable Learn more