Financial Assistance

If not prepared, it may be necessary to take a pay advance when moving overseas. Please keep in mind pay advances will be deducted from your pay through automatic allotments and may take some time to be set up through finance. Please route paperwork through your chain of command as early as possible. Rent and utility deposits, 220-volt electrical appliances, equipment and various other household conveniences will require a financial outlay greater than most people encounter when relocating within the United States. Any reassignment can be costly, but coming to an overseas assignment like Aviano Air Base can be very expensive. With moving-in expenses typically between $5,000 to 10,000 you must plan ahead.

It is advisable to maintain your bank accounts in the United States until you become familiar with options available at Aviano Air Base. You may also want to bring along the web addresses and have your financial institution set you up with the ability to bank electronically.

Aviano has a number of ATMs located at the Shoppette, Lodging, the Global Credit Union, the Department of Defense Community Bank and the Base Exchange Complex. There are two U.S. financial institutions: Global Credit Union and DOD Community Bank. For a predetermined ATM fee, you should be able to use your stateside ATM card in Italian/Global/Community Bank teller machines. It is advisable to speak to your current bank about the fees and accessibility prior to your departure. Checks can be written at the base exchange and Club Complex (for club members). The euro rate changes slightly daily. For current exchange rates, consult major newspapers and banks.

Be sure you understand the appropriate use of a government travel card. If you have questions, visit the customer service desk at your local Finance Office.

New investment accounts cannot be opened while you are stationed overseas unless you have a physical address on a military installation; only dorm residents will have a physical address. It is advisable to open investment and/or educational accounts before you leave the U.S, even for a small dollar amount, and then you will be able to continue to contribute to them while stationed at Aviano.

The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) is a non-profit organization that provides assistance to service members and their dependents in time of need.  The assistance is in the form of an interest free loan or grant (depending on the need).  Categories of assistance are basic living, vehicle, funeral, travel, medical and child care.  There are also free community programs such as Bundles for Babies, Child Care for PCS, Moving out of the Dorms Assistance, Give Parents a Break and educational grants. If you have questions, contact the Military and Family Readiness Center (M&FRC), and they can help you with submitting your application for AFAS assistance.  The M&FRC is located in building 1431 in Area F and can be reached at DSN 314-632-5407 or commercial 011-39-0434-30-5407.

Cost of Living Allowance

A Cost of Living Allowance, or COLA, is paid to service members to partially offset high costs when stationed overseas, including Alaska and Hawaii. COLA helps maintain purchasing power so you can buy about the same amount of goods and services overseas as in the United States.

The cost of living index is based on data furnished by uniformed members assigned to each overseas location. The Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee uses two surveys to determine the relative cost of living: a Living Pattern Survey and a Retail Price Schedule. You can find out about each of these online.

The purpose of the Temporary Lodging Allowance is to partially reimburse a military member for expenses incurred while occupying temporary lodgings. TLA should be filed with the Base Housing Office.

Military members will may be eligible for entitlements for their families back in the United States. Please contact the Finance office for more information DSN 314-632-2274 or Commercial 011-39-0434-30-2274.