AFA Scholarships
Many of our nation’s Airmen, Guardians, and their spouses and families are on missions to complete higher education degrees. For years, the Air & Space Forces Association has funded those efforts as part of its own mission to support and encourage the prosperity of our nation’s Air & Space Force community.
In 2024, AFA contributed more than $110,000 to Airmen, Guardians, their spouses, and their children through 11 unique scholarships. The scholarships help fund college tuition, flight school, dental school, Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings, and even full rides to certain universities.
Applications are accepted December 1 to April 30 each year. Selections will be announced in July.
“This scholarship is so much more than money to me.”
—Lucie Armacka, 2022 Recipient of the PenFed Pilot Training Scholarship
“The money I received was truly a miracle.”
—Jarika Gamble, 2022 Recipient of the Mike and Gail Donley Spouse Scholarship
Colonel Aaron Burgstein Memorial Scholarship
Provides $1,000 annually to minor dependents of Active, Guard, Reserve, veteran, or retired members of any service branch pursuing a degree at an accredited college or university.
Captain Jodi Callahan Memorial Scholarship
Provides $2,000 to USAF/USSF Active Duty, Guard, or Reserve personnel pursuing a master’s degree in a non-technical field.
Lt. Col. Romeo and Josephine Bass Ferretti Scholarship
Provides $5,000 to minor dependents of Air and Space Forces Active Duty, Reserve, or Air National Guard enlisted Airmen pursuing an undergraduate STEM degree.
Mike & Gail Donley Spouse Scholarships
Provides $2,500 annually to encourage Air Force or Space Force spouses worldwide to pursue higher education.
Col. Loren J. and Mrs. Lawona R. Spencer Scholarship
Provides three $5,000 scholarships for Air Force personnel (Active Duty, civilian, or full-time National Guard or Reserve) to pursue graduate-level education in management and administration in preparation for senior-level leadership roles.
John C. and Blanche Lee Lindsay Memorial Scholarship
Provides one $2,500 scholarship to a child of members of the United States Air Force who is pursuing a college degree.
Delta Dental Grants
Provides five $2,000 scholarships and grants to military spouses, military dependents, and transitioning service members for the advancement of oral health and wellness.
Dr. Sydell Perlmutter Gold Memorial Scholarship
Provides a renewable $5,000 annual scholarship (for a total possible award of $20,000) to the daughter of Active, Guard, or Reserve Air Force members pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field.
Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Scholarship
Provides $1,000 to current and former members of the Air and Space Forces, Air National Guard, and Reserve, and their spouses or children to pursue a college degree or flight training.
Destin Flight Works Pilot Training Scholarship
Funded by Vertol Systems Company, Inc., this program provides one AFA member per year up to $10,000 toward pilot training courses, instructor fees, and aircraft rental, leading to a private pilot’s license at the Destin Flight Works school in Destin, Fla.
The George and Vicki Muellner Foundation Scholarship
Created through a generous contribution by the George and Vicki Muellner Foundation, two scholarships in the amount of $5,000 each are awarded annually to eligible college students in Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings (AAS-SW). Applications are accepted September through November each academic year.
More information can be found at www.aas-sw.org under Academic Scholarships and questions may be directed to the AAS-SW Executive Management Center at mgmt.center@arnold-air.org.
Testimonials
“These scholarships are great, especially for service members who have financial obligations related to their education. Receiving this scholarship has motivated me even more to finish my degree because someone in the world felt I was worthy enough to invest in. This program is amazing for USAF, USSF, retirees, dependents, and dependents of retirees. We are all so lucky for scholarship programs like this that exist.” — Torianna Todd, 2022 Recipient of the Capt. Jodi Callahan Memorial Scholarship
“The money I received was truly a miracle as it was the exact amount I needed to fundraise in order to go on a physical therapy based mission trip to Oaxaca, Mexico with Angelo State University’s Physical Therapy program. It allowed me to help those who don’t have access to physical therapy services without the added financial stress of needing to take out more student loans.” — Jarika Gamble, 2022 Recipient of the Mike and Gail Donley Spouse Scholarship
“I cannot adequately express my gratitude for this wonderful investment you are making in my life. If it were not for organizations like AFA, my dream of obtaining a college degree might not be possible.” — Hampton R. Wohlford, 2022 Recipient of the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Scholarship