$36,000 in scholarships available to AF club members, families

By Carole Chiles Fuller, AFCEC Public Affairs 6:24 p.m. MT April 26, 2017

U.S. Air Force Col. Terry Hamrick, 17th Training Wing Vice Commander, and Toni Hansen, 17th Force Support Squadron Director, award Staff Sgt. Stephen Yelbert, , 17th Comptroller Squadron financial services technician and Non-Commissioned Officer in charge for reports and analysis, the Air Force 2016 Club Scholarship for 4,000 dollars at the Norma Brown Building on Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, June 28, 2016. Yelbert received 2nd place in the scholarship competition throughout the Air Force.(Photo: U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Caelynn Ferguson)

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas — The deadline to apply for the 2017 Air Force Club Scholarship Program is May 12.

During the past 19 years, the program has provided college tuition assistance to more than 440 Air Force Club members and their eligible family members. 

As in the past, applicants must be club members or their eligible dependent ID card holders. They must complete an online application form, submit a written or video essay, supply a college or university letter of acceptance or admission (for their first associate's or bachelor's degree) and two letters of recommendation.

The Air Force core values — "integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do" — are the inspiration for the 2017 essay topic.

"Written or video essays should tell us about a time when the applicant was tested to live up to our core values," said Lt. Col. Darryl B. Lee, the Air Force Services Activity deputy director of operations. � ��Tell us about a specific moment when embodying these ideals was difficult, how you succeeded or failed, what you learned from the experience and how that impacts the way you live today."

This year, scholarships will be awarded in two categories: traditional entrant and nontraditional entrant. A traditional entrant is a 2017 high school graduating senior registered at an accredited college or university. A nontraditional entrant is any other eligible club member or dependent enrolled or accepted to a college or university.

The first-place award in each category is a $7,000 scholarship; second place, $5,000; third place, $3,000; fourth place, $2,000; and honorable mention, $1,000. 

"This year we have increased the amount of the scholarships to encourage more Airmen and their families to participate in Air Force Clubs and the valuable programs they offer," Lee said.

A panel of judges will score essays on material content and presentation. 

The pr ogram will also award the two Air Force installation clubs that produce the most eligible entries in either format $1,000 each to help pay for their efforts to encourage applicants. 

For complete eligibility and entry requirements, see www.myairforcelife.com/clubs/Scholarship-2017. To be considered for a scholarship, all entry/eligibility requirements must be met, and all documentation must be provided by the required date. Winners of the 2016 club scholarships are not eligible.

"Please be sure to follow the entry requirements carefully. Incomplete packages will not be accepted," said Sally Truhitte, manager of the club scholarship program.

Winners will be announced in early June.

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Source: $36,000 in scholarships available to AF club members, families