{"id":12165,"date":"2026-02-18T09:56:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T15:56:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/?p=12165"},"modified":"2026-02-18T09:56:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T15:56:11","slug":"smart-grades-sweet-rewards-army-air-force-exchange-service-rewards-military-scholars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/2026\/02\/18\/smart-grades-sweet-rewards-army-air-force-exchange-service-rewards-military-scholars\/","title":{"rendered":"Smart Grades, Sweet Rewards: Army & Air Force Exchange Service Rewards Military Scholars"},"content":{"rendered":"

DALLAS<\/strong> \u2013 Military kids worldwide can cash in on their grades with the Army & Air Force Exchange Service\u2019s You Made the Grade Program<\/a> in its 26th year of highlighting academic excellence<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Young scholars in grades first through 12th, including students in specialized programs, can present their report cards to their local PX or BX customer service associate to receive exclusive discounts, prizes and savings.<\/p>\n

Students in specialized programs can print this downloadable form<\/a> and have it completed by their school\u2019s official each grading period in place of a traditional report card.<\/p>\n

\u201cMilitary students have an unconventional educational experience due to the needs of their parent\u2019s service,\u201d said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Rich Martinez, the Exchange\u2019s senior enlisted advisor. \u201cThe You Made the Grade program has successfully highlighted and rewarded our Nation\u2019s youngest heroes\u2019 sacrifices and accomplishments for a quarter century.\u201d<\/p>\n

Students with straight A\u2019s will receive a $20 Exchange gift card while students with a B average will receive a $10 Exchange gift card.<\/p>\n

In addition to an Exchange gift card, students will also receive an Exchange coupon sheet with offers including:<\/p>\n

\u2022 A free small fountain, frozen drink or bubbler beverage.
\n\u2022 A free kid\u2019s meal at a participating Exchange restaurant.
\n\u2022 A free combo meal at a participating Exchange restaurant.
\n\u2022 A free kid\u2019s hair service or $15 off hair service at The Barber Shop or Hair Studios.
\n\u2022 10% off any pair of headphones (excluding Apple and Beats).
\n\u2022 10% off apparel and footwear.
\n\u2022 A $5 coupon at Exchange mall concessions or kiosks.<\/p>\n

Participating students can also enter the biannual You Made the Grade worldwide sweepstakes for a chance to win a $2,000, $1,500 or $500 Exchange gift card. The spring 2026 drawing will take place in June.<\/p>\n

To enter the drawing, students or parents can complete the form on the back of the gift card and mail it to:
\nYou Made the Grade
\nPO Box 227398
\nDallas, TX 75222-7398<\/p>\n

Facebook-friendly version:<\/strong> Good grades = great perks. Military students can cash in with @ShopMyExchange\u2019s You Made the Grade program. Learn more: https:\/\/wp.me\/p9Q7PG-3ad<\/a><\/p>\n

— 30 —<\/p>\n

Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service has gone where Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians and their families go to improve the quality of their lives by providing valued goods and services at exclusive military pricing. The Exchange is the 51st-largest retailer in the United States. 100% of Exchange earnings support military communities. In the last 10 years, your Exchange benefit has provided $15 billion in earnings that support the military community, including through contributions to critical military Quality-of-Life programs. The Exchange is a non-appropriated fund entity of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our website at http:\/\/www.shopmyexchange.com<\/a> or follow us on X at https:\/\/x.com\/shopmyexchange.<\/a><\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n

Media Notes:<\/strong><\/p>\n

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Teonja Tatum, 214-312-6514 or tatumte@aafes.com.<\/p>\n

Follow the Exchange:
\nFacebook: www.facebook.com\/shopmyexchange<\/a>
\nX: https:\/\/twitter.com\/shopmyexchange<\/a>
\nInstagram: @shopmyexchange<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

DALLAS \u2013 Military kids worldwide can cash in on their grades with the Army & Air Force Exchange Service\u2019s You Made the Grade Program in its 26th year of highlighting academic excellence. Young scholars in grades first through 12th, including students in specialized programs, can present their report cards to their local PX or BX […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":313,"featured_media":12167,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[25,313],"tags":[160,174,107,63,33,57,62],"class_list":["post-12165","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-press_releases","category-sweepstakes","tag-aafes","tag-army-air-force-exchange-service","tag-exchange","tag-military-children","tag-press-release","tag-sweepstakes","tag-you-made-the-grade"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"http:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/2026\/02\/18\/smart-grades-sweet-rewards-army-air-force-exchange-service-rewards-military-scholars\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Smart Grades, Sweet Rewards: Army & Air Force Exchange Service Rewards Military Scholars","url":"http:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/2026\/02\/18\/smart-grades-sweet-rewards-army-air-force-exchange-service-rewards-military-scholars\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/2026\/02\/18\/smart-grades-sweet-rewards-army-air-force-exchange-service-rewards-military-scholars\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/PA-YMTG-e1771429881967.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/PA-YMTG-e1771429881967.jpg"},"articleSection":"Press Releases","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Teonja Tatum"}],"creator":["Teonja Tatum"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"The Exchange Newsroom","logo":""},"keywords":["aafes","army & air force exchange service","exchange","military children","press release","sweepstakes","you made the grade"],"dateCreated":"2026-02-18T15:56:11Z","datePublished":"2026-02-18T15:56:11Z","dateModified":"2026-02-18T15:56:11Z"},"rendered":"