2009-2010 Air Force Aid Society General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program Published Dec. 16, 2008 By Mr. Robin Smith Air Force Aid Society officer WHITEMAN AFB, Mo. -- Since its inception in 1942, the Air Force Aid Society has been committed to helping Air Force members and their families realize their academic goals. In recent years, the society's emphasis has been on direct funding of new initiatives that provide greater value to Air Force families. The centerpiece of the AFAS education initiatives is the General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program which provides $2,000 grants to selected sons and daughters of active duty, Title 10 Active Guard and Reserve, Title 32 AGR performing full-time active duty, retired, retired reserve and deceased Air Force members; spouses (stateside) of active duty members and Title 10 AGR; and surviving spouses of deceased personnel for their undergraduate studies. The value and success of this program, is demonstrated in the 85,287 grants disbursed since the first awards were made for the 1988-1989 academic year. The grant program remains competitive in its need-based selection criteria, uniquely tailored to recognize the proper weighing of family income and education cost factors, and is administered by ACT Recognition Program Services. ACT is an independent, not-for-profit organization with more than 45 years experience in providing support services to scholarship sponsors. Awards for the 2009 - 2010 academic year will be announced in June 2009. Use of funds is limited to tuition, books, fees or other curriculum-required materials. Applicants can download the application from the AFAS website at www.afas.org. Hardcopy applications are no longer available at the Airman & Family Readiness Center.