May 20 is the deadline to apply for the 2016 Air Force Club Scholarship Program.During the past 17 years, the program has provided college tuition assistance to more than 440 Air Force Club members and their eligible family members.As in the past, applicants must be club members or their eligible dependent ID card holders. They must complete an online application form, submit an essay, and supply a college or university letter of acceptance or admission (for their first associate or bachelor’s degree). Also, this year’s applicants must upload two letters of recommendation: one from their high school principal, university or college dean, civic leader or military leader; and one from their community service leader detailing work the applicant has performed.Also new for 2016 is the essays may be five-minute video essays or traditional 1,000-word written submissions. Also, instead of 25 $1,000 scholarships, there will be three winners in the video essay category and three in the written essay category. The first-place award in each category is a $5,000 scholarship; second place $4,000; and third place $2,500.“We wanted to make the process more interactive and enhance the program by adding the video category,” said Jonathan Boyd, the Air Force Services Activity operations branch chief for Air Force clubs.This year’s essay topic is “My Air Force story.”“We want to hear how you’ve been impacted by the best Air Force on the planet,” said Col. Mike Lamb, the director of operations for AFSVA. “Some Air Force stories, such as telecommunications and achievements in aeronautics and space, are broad and monumental. Others are personal, smaller but still very impactful.”A panel of judges will score essays on material content, presentation and adherence to the required number of words for written essays and length for video essays.The program will also award the two Air Force installation clubs that produce the most eligible entries in either format $1,000 each to help pay for their efforts to encourage applicants.“We hope that raising the individual amount of the scholarships will encourage more Airmen and their families to participate in this year’s program,” Boyd said.For complete eligibility and entry requirements, click here . To receive a scholarship, all entry and eligibility requirements must be met, and all documentation must be provided by the required date.