Paying It Forward: AAFES Retired Employees Association Scholarship Program

For nearly four decades, the AAFES Retired Exchange Association (AREA) has made a significant impact by investing in the futures of deserving students. Since its inception in 1985, the AREA scholarship program has awarded $987,000 to over 418 students. The tradition continues in 2025 with a commitment to awarding $40,000 in scholarships.

This year’s awards include two $5,000 scholarships and ten $3,000 scholarships, with the potential for additional awards based on the number and quality of applications received.

Program Details

Who Can Apply

Graduating high school seniors accepted to an accredited college, university, community college, technical school, or U.S. military academy are eligible to apply. Applicants must be:

  • Natural, legally adopted, or custodial stepchildren of active, retired, or deceased Exchange U.S. payroll employees or military personnel assigned to the Exchange.
  • If the sponsor is retired, they must be an active AREA member.

Academic Requirements

  • Minimum ACT score of 23 or SAT score of 1200 (two-part test).
  • If standardized test scores are not required by the applicant’s institution, an exception request must be submitted along with a high school GPA of at least 3.33 (B+) on a 4.0 scale or B+ on a 100-point scale (87-89).
  • Applicants must plan to attend an accredited college, university, community college, technical school, or U.S. military academy for undergraduate studies in 2025.

Application Process

  • Opens: January 2025
  • Deadline: March 21, 2025
    Scholarships will be awarded based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, honors and recognitions, special talents, recommendation letters, and an essay.

How to Apply

Visit the program’s website for detailed criteria and application forms: Scholarships – Army & Air Force Exchange Service Retired Employees Association. For inquiries, contact scholarships@aafesretired.org.

AREA’s dedication to supporting students underscores its commitment to “paying it forward” and empowering the next generation of leaders. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity!