AFA Connect
AFA Pitsenbarger Awards: which path fits?
AFA recognizes enlisted Airmen and Guardians pursuing further education through a CCAF graduate award and a separate award for a previous recipient.
The $750 Pitsenbarger Award for CCAF graduates
AFA describes a one-time $750 award for selected enlisted U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force personnel graduating from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) who plan to pursue a bachelor's degree. Awards accompany spring and fall CCAF graduation ceremonies, subject to available funding. Recipients also receive complimentary AFA Mission Membership.
AFA asks applicants for proof of enrollment or intent to enroll in an accredited bachelor's-degree program, relevant citations and awards, a narrative covering activities and undergraduate plans, and a commander's endorsement. Use the official award page and its application link for the current form and submission instructions.
The separate $3,000 Full Measure Award
AFA's A1C William Pitsenbarger Full Measure Award recognizes one prior Pitsenbarger recipient each year for continued education, service, and commitment to AFA's mission. Its published benefit is a $3,000 grant and an invitation to the Air, Space & Cyber Conference. It is not the same application or eligibility path as the initial CCAF graduate award.
AFA's published criteria include current AFA membership, qualifying coursework and transcript evidence, endorsements from a commander and AFA Chapter or State president, and details of the earlier Pitsenbarger Award. The official page still contains a 2026-specific April 30 date and 2026 prior-recipient eligibility language. Those statements do not establish the next cycle's deadline or eligible award years. Ask AFA or a local Chapter to confirm the current cycle before preparing a nomination.
How to choose a next step
- If you are an enlisted Airman or Guardian nearing CCAF graduation and planning a bachelor's degree, review AFA's initial $750 award and application.
- If you already received a Pitsenbarger Award, review the Full Measure criteria, current nomination cycle, and Chapter or State endorsement path.
- If neither path fits, compare the broader AFA scholarship finder or other education programs.
For the exact live application documents, requirements, and contact, start with AFA's official awards page.
Sources and review date
Reviewed October 12, 2026 against AFA's official Pitsenbarger Awards page. AFA controls eligibility, funding, applications, and deadlines. Check its live instructions before submitting; an award is not guaranteed.