Which Loan Is Right For Me

AFAS offers two distinct interest free loans to help Airmen, Guardians, and their families when unexpected financial emergencies arise. The AFAS Falcon Loan provides an expedited, quick loan approval process for loan amounts up to $1,000.

If more emergency financial help is needed  AFAS also offers a no interest Standard Assistance loan for higher amounts. Before deciding which loan to apply for, take a moment to compare details for both AFAS Standard Assistance and the AFAS Falcon Loan.

Standard Assistance FAQ

What is the purpose of the Standard Assistance Program?

AFAS Standard Assistance provides no-interest loans (and sometimes grants based on circumstance) as a solution to help Airmen and Guardians resolve unexpected financial emergencies and work towards achieving lasting financial stability.  Standard Assistance loans or grants are intended to stabilize an emergency financial situation, not to be a long-term remedy for continued budget shortfalls.

What types of emergency situations are covered by Standard Assistance?
The following situations are appropriate for Standard Assistance:

Basic Living Expenses

  • Rent/Mortgage
  • Utilities such as electric or gas bills
  • Food – not on an ongoing basis
  • Phone
  • Gasoline

Vehicle Expenses

  • Payment/registration
  • Repair costs
  • Insurance
  • NOT purchase or down payment costs

Emergency Travel

  • Situations of illness or death

  • Child Care

  • Medical and Dental Expenses

  • Pet PCS Transportation

  • Special needs (Exceptional Family Member)

  • Pet Emergency Surgery or Emergency Treatment
    • Who is eligible?

    Those eligible for Standard Assistance are:

    • Active duty Air Force personnel and their eligible family members
    • Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel and their eligible family members
    • Retired Air Force personnel and their eligible family members (not on a continuing basis, pending case specific review)
    • Spouses and dependent age children of deceased Air Force personnel (died while on active duty or in retired status)
    Is Standard Assistance available to Air Force retirees or widow(er)s?
    Yes.  Air Force retirees and widow(er)s may be eligible for AFAS Standard Assistance, pending case review.
    Are Air Force officers eligible for Standard Assistance?
    Yes.  Standard Assistance is available to both Officer and Enlisted Airmen and Guardians, provided they meet the eligibility requirements outlined.
    I am a Reserve/Guard member with no duty orders, am I eligible for Standard Assistance?
    Yes. Guard and Reserve personnel are eligible regardless of duty status.
    How is Standard Assistance repaid?
    All Standard Assistance is repaid by allotment with consideration being given to the financial situation of the individual, as well as the length of time remaining on their current enlistment.

    Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve members will be required to complete an AFAS Paymatic Authorization Form to allow withdrawal of repayment amount from bank account.

    Loans are usually repaid within 12 months and do not exceed 24 months. All loan repayment is to be completed within the member’s current enlistment.

    How do I obtain Standard Assistance?
    You may apply for Standard Assistance online or by visiting an AFAS section representative at an Airman & Family Readiness Center.

    If you are not located near an AFB installation with an A&FRC, then you can visit another Service Relief Agency or call the American Red Cross at 877-272- 7337.

    You may be required to confidentially discuss the source of financial trouble with an AFAS caseworker, as well as present a budget, as part of the loan application process.

    Do I have to go through my Commander, First Sergeant or Supervisor to apply for Standard Assistance?
    Not usually. However, if a base or HQ AFAS caseworker feels the need to involve the member’s First Sergeant or Commander, it may be requested.
    What information or documentation will I need when applying for Standard Assistance?
    • Air Force ID Card
    • Current Leave and Earning Statement or Retiree Account Statement
    • A completed budget worksheet
    • Guard and Reserve personnel will also need:
      • If on a Title 10 or Title 32 USC order, copy of order
      • Voided check or bank statement with bank routing information
      • Completed Paymatic form (EFT authorization)
    • Copies of bills or statements to verify what is needed
    • Copy of leave form (Form 988 or 972) for active duty and also for Guard and Reserve personnel when on duty when assistance request is for emergency travel
    Who will the Standard Assistance check be made payable to?
    Standard Assistance checks will typically be made payable to the service provider.  In situations where a bill is normally deducted directly from the member’s bank account, the check may be made payable to the member to deposit into the account. An exception is made for emergency travel situations where the check may be made payable to the applicant for travel costs.
    Can dual Air Force couples (military married to military) individually apply for Standard Assistance?
    Yes. Each Airman and Guardian can individually apply for standard assistance to meet their emergency need, however, AFAS looks at the entire family budget and family situation when making assistance decisions.
    Can I receive Standard Assistance through Army Emergency Relief Society, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance or American Red Cross?
    Yes. AFAS has cross-service agreements with these institutions to help Airmen and Guardians in situations where online application is not possible and there is no Airman & Family Readiness Center with an AFAS section nearby.
    Can I get Standard Assistance if I have another outstanding loan with the Air Force Aid Society?
    If you have an existing AFAS loan with an outstanding balance, you may still request emergency financial assistance by applying for AFAS Standard Assistance, which will require developing and reviewing a budget with an AFAS caseworker.
    What is the maximum number of Standard Assists I can receive?
    There is no current limit on the number of Standard Assists an Airman or Guardian can receive. However, any assistance provided by AFAS is meant to stabilize an emergency situation and is not intended as a revolving line of credit. AFAS does not provide continuing assistance when someone is living beyond their means.

    Falcon Loan FAQ

    What is the purpose of the Falcon Loan Program?

    The Falcon Loan is no-interest loan of up to $1,000 for emergency situations, designed to meet short-term financial needs of Airmen and Guardians on active duty who might otherwise resort to a high-interest lender.

    What types of emergency situations are covered by the Falcon Loan?
    The following situations are appropriate for the Falcon Loan:

    • Basic Living Expenses
      • Rent/Mortgage
      • Phone
      • Utilities
      • Gasoline
    • Vehicle Expenses
      • Payment/registration
      • Repair costs
      • Insurance
      • NOT purchase or down payment costs
    • Emergency Travel
      • Situations of illness or death
      • Any family relationship covered
    • Child Care
    • Medical and Dental Expenses
    Who is eligible?

    Those eligible for a Falcon Loan are:

    • Active duty Air Force personnel
      • Including spouses with Power of Attorney when service member is away from duty base
    • Air Force Reserve (AFRES)/Air National Guard (ANG) personnel performing duty at an Air Force or Air Force Reserve installation with an Air Force Aid Society section
      • Including spouses with Power of Attorney when service member is away from duty base
    • Only available to service members who do NOT have an existing, outstanding loan balance with AFAS
    Are Falcon Loans available to Air Force retirees or widow(er)s?
    No. Air Force retirees and widow(er)s may be eligible for AFAS Standard Assistance.
    Are Air Force officers eligible for a Falcon Loan?
    Yes. Falcon Loans are available to both Officer and Enlisted Airmen and Guardians, provided they meet the eligibility requirements outlined.
    I am a Reserve/Guard member on a Title 10 U.S.C. orders and my time on active duty will expire prior to 12 months for repayment, am I eligible for a Falcon Loan?
    Yes, but only if you have at least 3 months or more of active duty time remaining and performing duty at an Air Force or Air Force Reserve installation with an AFAS section.

    AFRES/ANG personnel will be required to repay the Falcon Loan by allotment or Paymatic Authorization Form (a monthly deduction taken from member’s checking account) within 12 months or by their ETS date (if less than 12 months away).

    How is a Falcon Loan repaid?
    All Falcon Loans are repaid by allotment, between a minimum of 3 months and a maximum of 10 months (or by ETS date if less than 10 months away).

    Title 10 USC AFRES/ANG personnel will be required to repay the Falcon Loan by allotment or Paymatic Authorization Form (a monthly deduction taken from member’s checking account) within 10 months or by their ETS date (if less than 10 months away).

    How do I obtain a Falcon Loan?
    You may apply for a Falcon Loan online, but you must complete the loan process in person at an Airman & Family Readiness Center with an Air Force Aid Society section representative.
    Do I have to go through my Commander, First Sergeant or Supervisor to apply for a Falcon Loan?
    No. However, it does remain your responsibility to determine if your chain of command needs to be informed/involved.
    What information or documentation will I need when applying for a Falcon Loan?
    You will need to provide the following documents:

    • Air Force ID Card
    • Current Leave and Earning Statement
    • Title 10 USC AFRES/ANG personnel will also need:
      • Copy of Title 10 orders
      • Voided check or bank statement with bank routing information
    Who will the Falcon Loan check be made payable to?
    Falcon Loan checks will typically be made payable to the Air Force member (or spouse with POA).

    An exception is made for emergency travel situations. AFAS has an agreement with Carlson Wagonlit Travel Agency to make reservations for members requiring emergency travel. If you choose this option for support, an electronic ticket will be issued to you.

    Can dual Air Force couples (military married to military) individually apply for a Falcon Loan?
    Yes. Each Airman can individually apply for a loan of up to $1000 through the Falcon Loan program.
    Can I have a Falcon Loan and another loan from the Air Force Aid Society running concurrently?
    If you have an AFAS loan with a remaining balance, you are not eligible for a Falcon Loan. However, you may still request emergency financial assistance by applying for standard assistance. This would require developing a budget with an AFAS caseworker and defining the actual need.

    It is possible that after you receive a Falcon Loan you might have a new need.  If this occurs, your total need can be addressed using the standard assistance process. If approved, the Falcon Loan balance will be incorporated with new loan and monthly allotment will be adjusted.

    Can I receive a Falcon Loan through Army Emergency Relief Society, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, or American Red Cross?
    No. Falcon Loans can only be obtained from an AFAS section office located in an Airman & Family Readiness Center.
    What if my financial need exceeds $1,000?
    If your need exceeds the $1,000 limit of the Falcon Loan, you should work with your AFAS caseworker to discuss AFAS Standard Assistance options.
    Can I have a Falcon Loan and another loan from the Air Force Aid Society running concurrently?
    If you have an existing AFAS loan with an outstanding balance, you are not eligible to apply for a Falcon Loan. You may still request emergency financial assistance by applying for AFAS Standard Assistance, which will require developing a budget with an AFAS caseworker.

    It is possible that you may apply for and receive a Falcon Loan, then encounter a new and different financial emergency situation. In cases such as this, your comprehensive financial situation can be addressed through the AFAS Standard Assistance process, working with an AFAS caseworker. If approved for Standard Assistance while still paying toward a Falcon Loan, the Falcon Loan balance will be incorporated into the new Standard Assistance and your monthly allotment will be adjusted accordingly.

    What if I do not qualify for a Falcon Loan?
    Every situation is unique. You are encouraged to seek financial counseling and or guidance from an AFAS section at an Airman & Family Readiness Center.
    What is the maximum number of Falcon Loans I can receive?
    There is no current limit on the number of consecutive Falcon Loans Airmen and Guardians can receive. However, Falcon Loans are designed to meet short-term emergency financial needs, and are not intended as a revolving line of credit.