About the Falcon Foundation

A group of prominent retired Air Force officers organized the Falcon Foundation in 1958, three years after the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) admitted its first class.

The Falcon Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit foundation. Its purpose is to provide scholarships to College or Preparatory Schools for motivated young people seeking admission to USAFA and a career in the Air Force.

Although it is a separate organization, the Falcon Foundation works closely with USAFA. Information concerning the Foundation and its scholarship program appears in the USAFA Catalog and can be viewed at: www.falconfoundation.org.

PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND

The Falcon Foundation provides a limited number of highly-motivated young people the opportunity to sharpen their skills for admission to USAFA by providing scholarships at a College or Preparatory School especially selected for this purpose.

The Falcon Foundation recognized that many deserving young people, with outstanding potential for an Academy education and a desire for an Air Force career, needed additional academic preparation prior to cadet appointment. The competition for an Academy appointment is intense and those who have not had the best educational opportunities may need to prepare more thoroughly to compete for admission.

The Falcon Foundation endeavors to meet this need within its means through its sustaining program of annual scholarship grants.

FUNDING OF SCHOLARSHIPS

The Falcon Foundation acquires funds necessary to implement the scholarship program from public donations and a scholarship endowment. The number of scholarships awarded annually is set by the USAFA Admissions Office and is up to 100. Contributions and donations to the Foundation are tax deductible to the donor and tax exempt to the Foundation. Each scholarship is dedicated in honor of a pioneer in aviation or an individual who is distinguished in aviation or defense.

TYPE OF SCHOLARSHIP

The Falcon Foundation makes annual cash grants for scholarships to several schools in various parts of the nation. Each scholarship award provides a portion of the cost of room, board and tuition. Scholarship recipients must pay for transportation to and from school and for clothing, laundry, other personal expenses and their proportionate share of the tuition, fees and books.

SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS

Young people are automatically eligible for a Falcon Scholarship by first applying to USAFA. The USAFA Office of Admissions then identifies potential recipients of the Falcon Foundation scholarship from a pool of direct entry applicants who are qualified, but not competitive for entering the next class at USAFA. Those applicants who are deemed qualified but not competitive are rank ordered and contacted for consideration of a Falcon Foundation Scholarship.

KEY ADDRESSES

  • Director of Admissions (Procedures)
    HQ USAFA/RRS
    2304 Cadet Drive, Suite 2300
    USAF Academy, Colorado 80840-5025
    (719)333-2520
    www.academyadmissions.com

    The Falcon Foundation (Information Only)
    3116 Academy Drive, Suite 200
    USAF Academy, CO 80840-4400
    (719)333-4096 Fax: (719)333-3669
    www.falconfoundation.org

APPOINTMENT DURING PREP SCHOOL YEAR

Falcon Scholars identified by the Admissions Office as having the potential to be successful at USAFA following successful completion of their preparatory program and attainment of admissions guidelines will be considered for appointment. Barring unusual circumstances, the Air Force Academy is committed to appointing Falcon Scholars who:

  1. Successfully complete their preparatory program
  2. Continue to meet the admissions guidelines
  3. Obtain a nomination valid for the year of entry into USAFA

Falcon Scholars will be required to follow standard admissions procedures for all Academy candidates during their preparatory year to include obtaining a new nomination for the year of entry to USAFA.

MORE INFORMATION