In This Issue:
1. New – Free Online Financial Education
2. $4 Million in Scholarships Awarded
3. Did You Know – AFAS Gives $150 for a Child Car Seat
4. Campaign to Connect – JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Visit
5. Updated Leaders Guide Now Available
6. Supporting Organization Spotlight – USAA Educational Foundation
7. Gifts in Memory & Honor
New – Free Online Financial Education
We are excited to announce the launch of Financial Lift-Off, a free, online course developed in partnership with the USAA Educational Foundation. This program delivers practical financial education and helps strengthen money management skills.
What You’ll Learn
Through short and interactive modules, participants will explore:
• Setting financial goals
• Building and managing a budget
• Saving for emergencies
• Managing debt responsibly.
Bonus for Loan Recipients
Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve members who received a new AFAS loan on or after May 1, 2025, are eligible for a $250 loan credit after completing the course.
Financial readiness supports mission readiness!
Learn more and enroll now: www.afas.org/lift-off
$4 Million in Scholarships Awarded
AFAS is proud to have awarded $4 million in scholarship to 1,506 spouses and dependents of Airmen and Guardians for the 2025-2026 academic year through our Hap Arnold Education Grants.
This need-based financial assistance supports full-time undergraduate studies at 2-year, 4-year, and vocational/trade schools. Applications for next year’s awards open in early January 2026.
Thank you to everyone who applied and shared their stories. We’re honored to support our military families on their educational journey!
Did You Know – AFAS Gives $150 for a Child Car Seat
To help keep young children safe, AFAS now offers a one-time $150 grant to help Active-Duty Airmen and Guardians (Ranks E1–E5) purchase a car seat or booster seat for a dependent child.
This money supports family well-being and gives parents the flexibility to choose the right car seat for their child. Funds are provided directly to the member via Zelle or ACH once approved.
Learn more or apply: www.afas.org
Campaign to Connect – JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Visit
As part of our ongoing Campaign to Connect, AFAS CEO Maj. Gen (Ret.) Ed Thomas and his wife, Dinah, visited Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst earlier this month. More than 30 years after being stationed there, it was a meaningful return and an opportunity to reconnect with the base community.
During his visit, he met with first sergeants, base leadership, chaplains, public affairs staff, and spouses – including Rose Oscar, one of our recent Columbia Southern University Scholarship recipients. Together, they discussed how to better serve the needs of Airmen, Guardians, and their families.
One immediate success: A unit first sergeant and the M&FRC reached out to AFAS for help funding a specialty bed for a special needs child experiencing severe sleep issues. Within 48 hours, AFAS provided $4,500 to the family, enabling them to purchase the bed and dramatically improve the child’s quality of life.
This visit underscored the power of partnership and how together, we can make a real difference.
Updated Leaders Guide Now Available
AFAS released an updated Leaders Guide reflecting recent changes and our expanded support offerings. It’s designed specifically for Commanders, Chiefs, First Sergeants, and Supervisors to help share accurate and timely information about our support.
This easy-to-use resource includes:
• Types of financial assistance available
• Education scholarships and grant details
• Information on Community Programs like Bundles for Babies and Child Care for PCS
• Step-by-step application instructions
We encourage leadership teams to keep this guide on hand and help connect those in need with the support available through AFAS.
View or download the guide here.
Supporting Organization Spotlight – USAA Educational Foundation
We’re proud to spotlight another valued partner, the USAA Educational Foundation. They offer free financial education and empower people to take actions that increase their financial resilience and improve their quality of life.
Together, we launched the new Financial Lift-Off program to help give Airmen and Guardians tools for long-term financial success. We’re grateful for their support in helping us build a more financially ready force.
Gifts in Memory & Honor
You can make a meaningful impact with a gift in memory or in honor of someone special – whether a loved one, a fellow service member, or a unit that impacted in your life. These tribute gifts celebrate service, strengthen legacies, and directly support military families in need.
Donate now: www.afas.org/donate