Air & Space Forces Aid Society (AFAS): Financial Assistance, Grants, Scholarships & Programs for Military Families
Air Force and Space Force families have access to an incredible resource that you may not know about: the Air & Space Forces Aid Society (AFAS).
From a $200 car seat grant and child care assistance to emergency financial help, military spouse education funding and college scholarships, AFAS offers programs designed to help Airmen, Guardians and their families through every stage of military life.
Here are some of the AFAS programs military families should know about in 2026.
What Is the Air & Space Forces Aid Society?
Founded in 1942, the Air & Space Forces Aid Society (AFAS) is an official charity of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.
Its purpose is simple: to help Airmen and Guardians when they need it most.
AFAS supports military families through financial assistance, education support, community programs, child care assistance and other resources designed to strengthen financial stability and military family readiness.
In 2025 alone, AFAS provided $11.6 million in direct support to Airmen, Guardians and their families and facilitated more than 12,600 individual assists.
AFAS $200 Car Seat & Booster Seat Program
This is one AFAS benefit that military families with young children should definitely know about.
The AFAS Car Seat Program provides eligible Airmen and Guardians with a one-time $200 payment to help offset the cost of purchasing a car seat or booster seat for a dependent child.
For 2026, eligibility was expanded beyond active-duty members.
The program is available to eligible:
- Active-duty Air Force and Space Force members in ranks E-1 through E-5
- Active Guard Reserve members E-1 through E-5 on qualifying orders
- Title 10/32 Guard and Reserve members E-1 through E-5 on qualifying orders
The assistance is a monetary gift and does not need to be repaid.
Families should review current AFAS eligibility requirements before applying.
Bundles for Babies
Expecting a baby? AFAS also offers Bundles for Babies, a program designed to help military families prepare for the financial responsibilities that come with a new baby.
The program provides a free educational class covering parenting and financial topics.
Eligible active-duty families who complete the program can receive a $150 gift card to help purchase baby essentials.
Availability may vary by installation, so families should contact their Military & Family Readiness Center for information about upcoming classes.
Child Care for PCS
Moving with children can quickly become expensive and stressful.
The AFAS Child Care for PCS Program provides financial assistance to help eligible Air Force and Space Force families pay for child care during a Permanent Change of Station move.
Current AFAS application materials provide for a $200 child care grant to help with child care costs associated with a PCS, retirement, Palace Chase or separation move.
This assistance can give parents time to pack, unpack, attend appointments or handle other responsibilities associated with a military move while their children are cared for.
Give Parents a Break
AFAS recognizes that deployments, remote assignments, frequent moves and separation from extended family can create additional stress for military parents.
The Give Parents a Break (GPAB) program provides eligible families with financial assistance for child care during particularly stressful periods.
Eligible families can receive $40 per dependent child per month for up to three months. Funds can be used for child care, and approved assistance is paid directly to the family.
A referral/certificate from an approved installation professional is required.
Road Ready Grant for Spouses of Deployed Airmen & Guardians
Another program military spouses should know about is the AFAS Road Ready Grant.
Eligible spouses of deployed Airmen and Guardians may receive a $200 grant per deployment to help pay for routine preventative vehicle maintenance.
Covered services can include:
- Oil changes
- Wheel alignments
- Tire rotations
- Battery replacement
- Windshield wiper replacement
The grant is available to eligible spouses of deployed active-duty Airmen and Guardians as well as spouses of qualifying Title 10/32 Guard and Reserve members.
Because this is a grant, the money does not need to be repaid.
Emergency Financial Assistance
Unexpected expenses happen, and AFAS provides financial assistance to help eligible Airmen and Guardians stabilize emergency financial situations.
Depending on the circumstances, assistance may be provided as an interest-free loan, grant or combination of the two.
AFAS assistance can potentially help with expenses such as:
- Rent and utilities
- Vehicle repairs
- Emergency travel
- Medical and dental expenses
- Funeral expenses
- Home repairs
- Furniture
- Adoption expenses
- Immigration expenses
- Pet transportation associated with an overseas PCS
- Special needs/EFMP expenses
- Mental health support
- Other unexpected financial emergencies
Eligibility and the type of assistance provided depend on the individual situation.
Financial Lift-Off Program — Free Financial Education + Potential $500 Loan Credit
AFAS also offers a free online Financial Lift-Off Program, developed in partnership with the USAA Educational Foundation.
The self-paced program covers topics including budgeting, saving, investing, financial planning and managing debt.
There’s an additional benefit for some participants.
Eligible Active-Duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen and Guardians who received a qualifying AFAS loan on or after January 1, 2026 may receive a one-time credit of up to $500 toward their AFAS loan after completing the course.
Certain exclusions and eligibility requirements apply.
AFAS Education Grants & Scholarships
AFAS offers several valuable education opportunities for spouses and dependent children of Airmen and Guardians.
General Henry H. “Hap” Arnold Education Grant
The General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant, commonly called the Hap Arnold Grant, is the centerpiece of AFAS education assistance.
The need-based program helps eligible spouses and dependent children of Airmen and Guardians pay for higher education.
Award amounts are based on factors including the applicant’s financial need, Student Aid Index (SAI) from the FAFSA and cost of attendance.
The Hap Arnold Grant application is especially important because it also serves as the gateway to consideration for other AFAS education opportunities.
For the 2026–2027 academic year, applications are now closed. AFAS says the application process will reopen in January 2027.
AFAS Merit & Grit Scholarships — $5,000
AFAS also awards Merit and Grit Scholarships worth $5,000 each.
The scholarships are available to eligible incoming college freshmen who have completed the Hap Arnold Education Grant application.
Merit Scholarships recognize academic achievement, while Grit Scholarships recognize students who demonstrate Growth, Resilience, Integrity and Tenacity in overcoming challenges during their academic journey.
In 2026, AFAS awarded 30 Merit Scholarships and 30 Grit Scholarships, providing a total of $300,000 through these two scholarship programs.
AFAS Supplemental Education Loan
AFAS also offers an interest-free Supplemental Education Loan to help eligible Air Force and Space Force families with education expenses.
The program works in conjunction with the Hap Arnold Education Grant application process and can help with out-of-pocket college expenses such as tuition, books and other education costs.
“Bee” Arnold Spouse Tuition Program — Up to $2,500
Military spouses should also take a close look at the “Bee” Arnold Spouse Tuition Program.
Eligible Air Force and Space Force spouses can receive up to $2,500 toward education or training that can help them build career skills and secure employment.
Funding can be used for qualifying:
- Short-term job training
- Professional certifications
- Career training programs
- Part-time undergraduate degree programs
- Approved vocational or trade school programs
Examples of training that may qualify include medical billing and coding, dental assisting, nursing assistant training, phlebotomy, pharmacy technician programs, veterinary assisting, graphic design, human resources, social media marketing and real estate licensing.
Eligible spouses include spouses of qualifying active-duty Air Force and Space Force members and certain Title 10 and Title 32 Guard and Reserve members.
2026 applications are available until program funds are exhausted, so eligible spouses interested in this benefit should not wait until the end of the year to investigate it.
Free GED Program for Spouses & Dependents
AFAS has also introduced an opportunity for eligible spouses and dependent children to earn their GED at no cost.
Through a partnership with GEDWorks, participants can access a self-paced online program that includes academic support, tutoring, study materials, coursework and practice testing.
This can be an especially valuable resource for family members who haven’t completed a high school diploma and want to take the next step toward college, career training or employment.
Full Columbia Southern University Scholarship
AFAS also partners with Columbia Southern University on an additional scholarship opportunity for military spouses.
For the 2026 cycle, one eligible spouse of an Airman or Guardian could receive a full Columbia Southern University scholarship covering up to 60 credit hours toward an eligible associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree offered online.
Because scholarship availability and application dates can change from year to year, check AFAS for the latest application period and eligibility requirements.
Who Is Eligible for AFAS Assistance?
Eligibility varies depending on the individual AFAS program.
AFAS financial assistance can serve members of the Air Force and Space Force community including active-duty members, Guard and Reserve members, retirees, surviving spouses and certain eligible dependents.
Individual programs—including the Car Seat Program, education grants, spouse tuition assistance and child care programs—have their own eligibility requirements.
Always review the requirements for the specific program before applying.
How to Apply for AFAS Assistance
AFAS applications are handled online.
Visit the Air & Space Forces Aid Society website and select Request Assistance to access the AFAS application portal.
First-time applicants will need to create an account, while returning users can sign in to their existing account.
Depending on the program, supporting documentation and/or a budget worksheet may be required.
Families can also contact their installation’s Military & Family Readiness Center for help learning about AFAS programs available to them.
Don’t Miss These Air Force & Space Force Family Benefits
Whether you’re welcoming a new baby, preparing for a PCS, dealing with an unexpected financial emergency, paying for college or trying to build a career as a military spouse, AFAS offers programs that could make a meaningful difference.
Some of these benefits—including the $200 Car Seat Program, $200 Road Ready Grant, child care assistance and up to $2,500 in spouse education funding—may be especially easy for military families to overlook.
If you’re part of an Air Force or Space Force family, it’s worth exploring AFAS programs before paying for an unexpected expense entirely out of pocket.
Learn More & Apply: Visit the Air & Space Forces Aid Society at AFAS.org.
OTHER BRANCHES WITH MILITARY RELIEF SOCIETIES
- Navy & Marine Corps: Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS)
- Army: Army Emergency Relief (AER)
- Coast Guard: Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA)
