General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant

Scholarship Sponsored by Air Force Aid Society

Overview
This award, commonly known as the Hap Arnold Grant, is the primary education-support program administered by AFAS. Applying for the Arnold Grant also serves as the gateway to other Society education resources, including the Merit Scholarship and the Interest-Free Supplemental Loan program. The grant is designed to balance family income against college costs when determining awards.

Award size
Grant amounts change annually and depend on the number of applicants, the Society’s approved grant budget for the year, an applicant’s Student Aid Index (SAI) from the FAFSA, and the cost of attendance at a Department of Education–approved institution. The final award reflects the student’s demonstrated financial need.

Before you apply
Please confirm you meet the eligibility requirements and gather the required documentation before beginning an application.

Eligibility

Children of U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force members who meet one of the following:
- Active duty service members; Title 10 Reserve and Guard members on extended active duty; and Title 32 Guard members serving full-time active duty through December 1 of the academic year.
- Members retired for length of active-duty service or for disability.
- Retired AGR/Reserve members with 20 or more satisfactory service years creditable for retired pay and placed on the Air Force or Space Force Reserve Retired List (no other retired classifications qualify).
- Members who died while on active duty or in retired status.

Note: Child applicants must not reach their 24th birthday during the award year.

Spouses of U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force members who meet one of the following:
- Active duty service members; Title 10 Reserve and Guard members on extended active duty; and Title 32 Guard members serving full-time active duty through December 1 of the academic year.
- Surviving spouses of members who died while on active duty or in retired status.

Spouse applicants must be legally married to the member (not separated and not in a pending divorce) at both the time of application and at award disbursement.

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