Changes to Falcon Loan Program Published Sept. 5, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Breonna Veal 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Air Force Aid Society Emergency Assistance has changed the way the Falcon Loan Program operates effective Sept. 1. The Falcon Loan grants up to $750 that can be used for emergency needs such as basic living expenses (rent, utilities, food), car repairs, emergency travel, or other approved needs. The program's goal is to assist Airmen with their immediate emergency needs in a streamlined process helping to make the experience of having to ask for help a positive one. The changes are as follows: · Air Force Aid will be improving on-line application processes for Airmen. · AF is dropping the "4 per career" cap on Falcon Loans. Army, Navy and Marine Corps relief society peers do not have a limit on loans per career. There is no longer a limit on the number of Falcon Loans, but Airmen must repay a current or open loan before another loan is authorized. · Falcon Loans may now be provided for emergency travel regardless of the family relationship of the person who is ill or who has died. · Emergencies supported by Falcon Loans have been slightly changed as reflected below: a. Basic Living Expenses - rent/mortgage, food, phone, utilities and gasoline (no change) b. Vehicle expenses -- payment, repair, insurance, registration, but now vehicle purchase or down payment on vehicle is not included (slight change) c. Emergency travel (as stated above, expanded to include any family relationship) d. Child care (no change) e. Medical and dental expenses (no change) Although the Falcon Loan program strives to be "no questions asked," the Air Force will continue ask minimum qualifier questions such as "what is the nature of your emergency?" to identify if the situation meets the necessary criteria for a AFAS emergency loan. The Falcon Loan acts as a compliment to the AFAS's standard emergency assistance loan and grant program.
