Financial Assistance

The Moody Finance Office can assist members with military pay matters.  Contact Customer Service at 229- 257-5233 (DSN 460-5233) or moody.finance@us.af.mil.

The Moody Airman and Family Readiness Center's Personal Financial Management Program has Certified Personal Financial Counselors who are ready to assist you with all your financial planning needs. Individual appointments and financial classes are also available.  Please see the A&FRC monthly calendars for listed topics.  Appointments are mandatory through A&FRC for First Duty Station Officers within their first 90 days on station.  Please call 229-257-3333 to make an appointment.

When relocating, you are eligible to draw an Advance Pay to assist with costs associated with the permanent change of station. Remember these repayments will be automatically withdrawn from the service member's pay, which can reduce monthly income. See the Airman and Family Readiness Center's Personal Financial Management Program manager if you have concerns regarding your personal finances. Becoming and remaining financially fit is critical to your success in the Air Force. Don't wait until it's too late to request assistance. Avoid pay day loans (and the exorbitant fees associated with the advances) at all costs. For airmen living in the dorms, ensure your Basic Allowance for Housing reflects your new location. Please visit the Defense Travel Management Office website to determine what your allowances are for your new location. If you begin to develop financial issues due to the PCS or other reasons, please make an appointment to visit one of our certified financial counselors for assistance.

Cost of Living in Valdosta, Georgia

Our cost of living indices are based on a US average of 100. An amount below 100 means Valdosta is cheaper than the US average. A cost of living index above 100 means Valdosta, Georgia is more expensive.

Highlights

ECONOMY

The unemployment rate in Valdosta is 3.3% (U.S. avg. is 3.9%). Recent job growth is Positive. Valdosta jobs have increased by 2.81%. More Economy

COST OF LIVING

Compared to the rest of the country, Valdosta's cost of living is 9% lower than the national average in Valdosta and housing is 21% cheaper than the  U.S. average. More Cost of Living or Compare Valdosta's Cost of Living<

POPULATION

A ccording to the US Census Bureau, the population of Valdosta metropolitan area was 151,118 in 2023.  This was an increase of about 3,000 from 2020.

TRANSPORTATION

Average Commute time is 18 minutes. The National Average is 26 minutes. 

REAL ESTATE

The median home cost in Valdosta is $125,900. Home appreciation in the last 10 years has been 7.99%. Check out the homes in the area or Find top agents in Valdosta

SCHOOLS

Valdosta public schools spend $10,767 per student. The average school expenditure in the U.S. is $12,383. There are about 15.4 students per teacher in Valdosta.

Sales Tax: 7%

Source of information: https://www.bestplaces.net/city/georgia/valdosta

The Air Force Aid Society provides emergency assistance to airmen and Air Force families when unexpected financial emergencies arise, with no-interest loans and grants that provide financial help. These programs help meet immediate financial emergency needs and help make a positive step toward a lasting financial solution. To apply for assistance; visit the AFAS website to complete an application then call 229-257-3333 for an appointment.

Standard assistance – AFAS standard assistance may be in the form of a no-interest loan or grant. The purpose is to help airmen stabilize emergency situations to better focus on the Air Force mission.

Falcon Loans – The AFAS Falcon Loan program is a streamlined application process to provide airmen with expedited, no-interest loans of up to $1,000 for specific financial emergencies.

The AFAS also provides educational support. Higher education is a key to advancement and future success. Dependent children and spouses of active-duty and retired airmen can work toward their dreams of a college degree with AFAS education grants, scholarships and loans. AFAS understands the challenges that come with active duty. If looking to begin your education journey, start that journey with AFAS tuition assistance programs.

• Gen. Henry H. Arnold Education Grant program – Arnold Education Grants are awarded to eligible, qualifying Air Force dependents. Grants range from $500-$4,000, with specific amounts awarded based on financial need.
• Merit scholarships – Each year, AFAS awards a number of $5,000 merit-based scholarships to eligible incoming freshman college students, as a complement to the needs-based support allocated through the Arnold Education Grants program.

Supplemental loan program – Knowing that incidental college expenses for books, fees and supplies can be challenging financially for families already facing tuition and room and board costs, AFAS offers a no-interest $1,000 supplemental education loan to help reimburse these expenses.

AFAS also provides community programs to assist with Air Force life, from deployments to PCS orders, and offers targeted programs to help make everyday life on base a little easier and to help take care of military families. The specific AFAS-supported community programs offered varies between Air Force base installations.

Here are our programs:

• Bundles For Babies – This class is designed to teach expectant and new parents basic parenting skills, as well as essential financial skills to help with budgeting for a new baby.
• Car Care Because We Care – This program is designed to keep the primary family vehicle of a deployed active-duty Air Force member in top running condition. AFAS will help provide preventive vehicle maintenance, including oil and filter changes, fluid checks and replacement services, and vehicle safety checks.
• Child care programs – Parenting can be stressful. Those stresses can be even more acute for a military family. AFAS offers several programs to help Air Force families with child care needs.
• Spouse employment program – Active-duty Air Force spouses can take advantage of entry-level job training to help secure immediate, viable employment. AFAS pays for tuition, instructor fees and course materials for spouse participants.
• Heart Link spouse orientation program – Recognizing that spouses play an important role in the success of active-duty airmen, AFAS provides funding for the Heart Link program. This program is designed to strengthen military families and enhance mission readiness by helping to orient new Air Force spouses (typically five years or less) to active-duty military life.

Visit your Airman and Family Readiness Center family or call 229-257-3333 to discover which of these programs may be available to your family.