AFAS offers two distinct interest free loans to help Airmen, Guardians, and their families when unexpected financial emergencies arise. The AFAS Falcon Assistance provides an expedited, quick loan approval process for loan amounts up to $1,500.
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 AFAS Falcon Assistance.
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?
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
Who is eligible?
Those eligible for Standard Assistance are:
- Active Duty Air Force and Space Force personnel and their eligible family members (Spouses will need POA and be enrolled in DEERS with a valid military dependent ID card).
- Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel (regardless of duty status) and their eligible family members
- Retired (including medically retired) Air Force and Space Force members receiving retirement pay and their eligible family members (not on continuing basis, pending case specific review)
- Dependent-aged children of deceased Air Force and Space Force personnel (who died on active duty or in retired status).
- Widow/Widower
- Air Force Academy Cadets & Preparatory School Students (limited to emergency travel situations when serious illness or death of an immediate family member).
- Basic Military Training School (Basic Military Training School students are only eligible for emergency travel assistance when there is serious illness or death of immediate family member. Commander must confirm the student will return to complete BMTS).
Are Air Force and Space 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.
I am a Reserve/Guard member with no duty orders, am I eligible for Standard Assistance?
How is Standard Assistance repaid?
All Active-Duty personnel and Retired personnel will repay Standard Assistance by allotment with consideration being given to the financial situation of the individual, as well as the length of time remaining on their current time in service.
Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve members will be required to complete an ACH Authorization to allow withdrawal of repayment from their bank account.
Loans are usually repaid within 12 months and do not exceed 24 months. All loan repayment is to be completed prior to the member’s current Expiration of Term of Service (ETS).
How do I obtain Standard Assistance?
You may apply for Standard Assistance online by visiting our online application portal: https://www.portal.afas.org
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 application process.
Do I have to go through my Commander, First Sergeant or Supervisor to apply for Standard Assistance?
Not usually. However, if an 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?
- Military ID card front and back
- Current end of month Leave and Earning Statement (LES) or Retiree Account Statement (RAS)
- For Traditional Guard/Reserve and Retired personnel, civilian pay statement will also be required
- Completed budget worksheet (provided when completing application)
- Guard and Reserve personnel when on Active-Duty Order will need:
- Title 10 or Title 32 USC order
- ACH information to include Bank Name, Bank Address, Routing Number, Account Number
- Copies of bills or statements for categories of need requested.
How will I receive funds from the Standard Assistance once my application is approved?
Standard Assistance payments will be made via Bank ACH or Zelle. You will select which payment option works best for you when completing the initial application.
Can dual Air Force and Space Force married couples (military married to military) individually apply for Standard Assistance?
Yes. Each Airmen 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. Some programs within AFAS limits assistance to one per household, like the Pet PCS Transportation program.
Can I get Standard Assistance if I have another outstanding loan with the Air Force Aid Society?
What is the maximum number of Standard Assists I can receive?
Falcon Assistance FAQ
What is the purpose of the Falcon Assistance?
The Falcon Assistance is a no-interest loan of up to $1,500 for emergency situations, designed to meet short-term financial needs of Airmen and Guardians who might not otherwise resort to a high-interest lender.
What types of emergency situations are covered by the Falcon Assistance?
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 assistance are:
- Active Duty Air Force and Space Force personnel
- Including spouses with valid Power of Attorney when service member is away from duty base
- Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard personnel with active participation
*Falcon Assistance is only available to service members who do NOT have an existing outstanding loan balance with AFAS.
Are Falcon Assistance loans available to Air Force or Space Force retirees or widow(er)s?
No. Air Force and Space Force retirees and widow(er)s may only be considered for Standard Assistance.
Are Air Force and Space Force officers eligible for a Falcon Assistance?
Yes. Falcon Assistance loans are available to both Officer and Enlisted Airmen and Guardians, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
How is a Falcon Assistance repaid?
All Falcon Assistance loans for Active Duty Air Force and Space Force personnel are repaid by allotment. Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard personnel will repay via ACH.
All Falcon Assistance loans must be repaid at a maximum of 15 months, but must not exceed time left in service.
How do I obtain a Falcon Assistance?
You may apply for Falcon Assistance online by visiting our online application portal: https://www.portal.afas.org
You may be required to confidentially discuss the source of financial trouble with an AFAS caseworker, as part of the application process.
Do I have to go through my Commander, First Sergeant or Supervisor to apply for Falcon Assistance?
Not usually. However, if an 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 a Falcon Assistance?
You will need to provide the following documents:
- Military Id card front and back
- Current end of month Leave and Earning Statement (LES)
- Traditional Guard/Reserve members will also need to provide civilian pay stub
- Guard and Reserve personnel only when on Active Duty Orders will need:
- Title 10 or Title 32 USC order
- ACH information to include Bank Name, Bank Address, Routing Number, Account Number
- In certain requests, an AFAS caseworker may request proof of need such as copies of bills or statements to support the request
How will I receive funds from the Falcon Assistance once my application is approved?
Falcon Assistance payments will be made via Bank ACH or Zelle. You will select which payment option works best for you when completing the initial application.
Can dual Air Force and Space Force married couples (military married to military) individually apply for Falcon Assistance?
Yes. Each Airmen and Guardian can individually apply for Falcon Assistance to meet their emergency need of up to $1500.
Can I have a Falcon Assistance 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 Assistance loan. However, you may still request financial assistance by applying for the Standard Assistance. This would require developing a budget and defining the actual need.
It is possible that after you receive a Falcon Assistance, that you may have a new need. If this occurs, your total need can be addressed using the Standard Assistance process. If approved, the Falcon Assistance balance will be incorporated into the new loan and monthly allotment or ACH will be adjusted.
What is my financial needs exceeds $1500?
If your need exceeds $1500, which is the limit of the Falcon Assistance, you should apply under the Standard Assistance to see if this is a better option to meet your need.
What if I do not qualify for a Falcon Assistance?
Every situation is unique. You are encouraged to seek financial counseling and or guidance from you local Military and Family Readiness Center.
What is the maximum number of Falcon Assistance loans I can receive?
There is no current limit on the number of consecutive Falcon Assistance loans Airmen and Guardians can receive. However, Falcon Assistance loans are designed to meet short-term emergency financial needs, and are not intended as a revolving line of credit.