College grants up for grabs Published Oct. 25, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Kenneth W. Norman 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE Okla. -- The Air Force Aid Society plans to award up to 3,000 grants to dependents of Air Force members for their college education through the Gen. Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program. Applications for these $2,000 need-based grants are now available from the AFAS's website. Completed forms must be received by AFAS no later than March 11, 2011. "This is free money. And I feel that any child or spouse who plans to attend college during the 2011-2012 academic year should apply," said Kenneth Morrison, 97th Force Support Squadron Air Force Aid Society officer. "To not apply is a wasted opportunity." The grant program is open to dependent children of active-duty, Title 10 reservists on extended active duty performing full-time active duty, retired, retired reservists and deceased Air Force members. Spouses of active-duty members and surviving spouses of deceased personnel are also eligible. "Last year, Altus AFB had only two children and nine spouses apply for this program," Morrison said. "Both children were approved and eight of the spouse applications were also approved." All applicants must be enrolled as full-time undergraduates at an accredited college or university during the 2011-2012 academic year, and are required to maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average. Selection is heavily based on cost of attendance, family income and is dependent on the number of eligible applicants competing. Final need assessment will be determined by an independent agency. All interested students are encouraged to review full eligibility requirements, procedures and application instructions on the AFAS'S website. The AFAS, a non-profit organization, is the official charity of the U.S. Air Force and has been providing emergency and education assistance to Air Force families for nearly 70 years.