HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah — Are you concerned about the soaring costs of higher education for your dependents?

Perhaps the Air Force Aid Society can help. Last year, the AFAS awarded more than $6 million in grants and scholarships to Air Force dependents.

The AFAS has three education support programs.

The General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant is the centerpiece, with a competitive needs-based selection criteria and grants ranging from $500 to $4,000.

The second program is Merit Scholarships worth $5,000 each to at least ten incoming college and university freshmen.

Finally, the third program is AFAS Supplemental Education Loans, which are interest-free education loans up to $1,000. All of these are available with one application.

Those eligible for these programs are:

Dependent children of —

• Active-duty Airmen

• Title 10 Reserve Airmen on extended active duty

• Title 32 Air Guard Airmen performing full-time active duty

• Airman retired due to length of active duty or disability

• Retired Reserve with 20 or more years and on the Air Force Reserve Retired List

• Deceased active duty or retired Airmen

Spouses of —

• Active-duty Airmen

• Title 10 Reserve Airmen on extended active duty

• Deceased active duty or retired Airmen

The application deadline for the 2019-2020 academic year is April 30. Remember, one application gains access to all three programs.

Don’t assume you won’t qualify, because rank and income level do not matter. Dependents do not need to be awarded an Arnold Education Grant to receive assistance from the other two programs.

For more information about eligibility criteria or to access the online application, please visit the AFAS website at www.afas.org/education-support. You can also contact the Airman & Family Readiness Center at 801-777-4681.