An official army family and MWR Site

Army Emergency Relief

Army Emergency Relief (AER) Overview

Overview

Army Emergency Relief is the U.S. Army's own nonprofit organization dedicated to alleviating financial distress on the force. AER provides grants and zero-interest loans to Active Duty and Retired Soldiers and their Families. Over 4 million Soldiers supported since 1942. AER officers are conveniently located at installations around the world. Visit ArmyEmergencyRelief.org to learn more.

Education Programs

AER’s Education Program is a secondary mission to help Army Families with the costs of education. The three separate scholarship programs are:

Stateside Spouse Education Assistance Program
• Applicant must be the Spouse or widow(er) of an active duty or retired Soldier and reside in the United States. 
• Stateside applicants must be full time students. 
• First undergraduate degrees only.
• Active duty military personnel are not eligible.

Overseas Spouse Education Assistance Program Major General James Ursano Scholarship Fund for Dependent Children.

Overseas Spouse Education Assistance Program 
• Applicants must be a Spouse of an active duty Soldier assigned in Europe, Korea, Japan, or Okinawa. 
• Applicants must physically reside with the Soldier at the assigned location. 
• First undergraduate degrees only.
• Off post students are not eligible.
• Spouses may be part time or full time students.

Major General James Ursano Scholarship Fund for Dependant Children 
• Dependent children, stepchildren, or legally adopted children of Army Soldiers on active duty, retired or deceased while in active duty or retired status.

The children of Grey Area Reservists/National Guard are eligible as well.

Scholarship awards will be awarded up to half the cost of tuition. Scholarship awards are based on financial need, as evidenced by income, assets, Family size, and special circumstances.

Applications and instructions are available for all the scholarships on the AER website at https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/resources/

AER Resources and Forms

View all AER forms. 

AER's Education Programs

AER’s Education Program is a secondary mission to help Army Families with the costs of education. The three separate scholarship programs are:

Stateside Spouse Education Assistance Program
• Applicant must be the Spouse or widow(er) of an active duty or retired Soldier and reside in the United States. 
• Stateside applicants must be full time students. 
• First undergraduate degrees only.
• Active duty military personnel are not eligible.

Overseas Spouse Education Assistance Program Major General James Ursano Scholarship Fund for Dependent Children.

Overseas Spouse Education Assistance Program 
• Applicants must be a Spouse of an active duty Soldier assigned in Europe, Korea, Japan, or Okinawa. 
• Applicants must physically reside with the Soldier at the assigned location. 
• First undergraduate degrees only.
• Off-post students are not eligible.
• Spouses may be part time or full-time students.

Major General James Ursano Scholarship Fund for Dependant Children 
• Dependent children, stepchildren, or legally adopted children of Army Soldiers on active duty, retired or deceased while in active duty or retired status.

The children of Grey Area Reservists/National Guard are eligible as well.

Scholarship awards will be awarded up to half the cost of tuition. Scholarship awards are based on financial need, as evidenced by income, assets, Family size, and special circumstances.

Applications and instructions are available for all the scholarships on the AER website at www.aerhq.org

AER can help with...

AER can usually help with emergency needs for:

  • Rent
  • Utilities (not including cable)
  • Food
  • Emergency and PCS travel
  • POV repair
  • Up-front funeral expenses of parents, spouse, or child
  • Emergency medical or dental expenses
AER cannot help with...

AER cannot help with:

  • Nonessential needs
  • Ordinary leave or vacation
  • Fines or legal expenses
  • Debt payments
  • Home purchase or improvements
  • Purchase, rental, or lease of a vehicle
  • Funds to cover bad checks
  • Marriage or divorce
Application Information and Forms

View all AER forms.

Active duty soldiers needing assistance must submit requests using the appropriate AER form.  For commander referrals, use AER Form 600 and for all other AER assistance requests use AER Form 700. Pick up the form at your unit, complete it and obtain the commander's signature. 

Unaccompanied dependents, surviving spouses or orphans, retirees, and others not assigned to or under control of a Presidio of Monterey unit may pick up forms at the AER office. All applicants need to bring their military ID card, current Leave and Earnings Statement and substantiating documents (car repair estimate, rental agreement, etc.).