A $5,000 scholarship available to dependent children and spouses of active duty and retired Airmen and Guardians who demonstrate outstanding academic potential based on GPA. Students who have already been vetted through the Arnold Education Grant application process will be evaluated based on cumulative GPA, high school transcripts and video essays on a specified topic.

Students chosen to receive a Merit Scholarship are announced in July each year. Funds will be disbursed directly to their college or university in August each year, and are limited to use for tuition, fees, books, and curriculum-required materials.

A minimum of 10 scholarships are awarded annually.