Army Emergency Relief: Education Program

AER's Education Program is a secondary mission to help Army families with the costs of education. The three separate scholarship programs are: the Stateside Spouse Education Assistance Program, the Overseas Spouse Education Assistance Program and the Major General James Ursano Scholarship Fund for Dependent Children.

The Spouse Education Assistance Program (SEAP)
AER is expanding the eligibility for the SEAP effective with AY 2007-2008. This program is now for the spouses of active duty and retired Army Soldiers and the widows (ers) of Soldiers who have died while on active duty or in a retired status. The spouse, widow or widower must reside within the United States. The purpose of the program is to assist spouses in furthering their education to afford them increased occupational opportunities.

This financial assistance scholarship is a GRANT and awarded based on financial need as evidenced by income, assets, family size and special/unique financial obligations or circumstances. Scholarship money is for tuition, books, supplies and fees and will be paid by AER directly to the college or university. The maximum amount of money for AY 2007-2008 is $2,700.00.

The scholarships will be awarded annually for up to four academic years to attend post-secondary school full time for the entire academic year as undergraduate level students.

Spouses must apply every academic year and must maintain at least a cumulative 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) to be eligible for the scholarship.

Scholarships are for undergraduate courses only at a post-secondary or vocational institution approved by the US Department of Education.  This program is not open to spouses who already have an undergraduate degree.

Applications and instructions are available on the AER website: http://www.aerhq.org/education.asp

Overseas Spouse Education Assistance Program
Eligibility:
• Applicant must be a spouse of a Soldier on active duty assigned in Europe, Korea, Japan or Okinawa.
• Applicant must physically reside with Soldier at the assigned location.
• Second undergraduate degrees are not eligible.
• Graduate and off-post students are not eligible.
• Spouses may be part-time or full-time students. 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.

How do I receive a scholarship?
Fill out an application and mail it with the supporting documents by the applicable deadline!

The application is available the following ways:
• Online at http://www.aerhq.org/education.asp
• Upon written request to AER HQ
• Education Centers and schools

A complete application must be submitted for the first term of each academic year. A renewal form and applicable documents are required for subsequent terms. For more details on this topic, please go to: http://www.aerhq.org/education_spouse_Overseas.asp

The MG James Ursano Scholarship Fund
Its mission is to help Army families with the costs of post-secondary undergraduate level education, vocational training, and preparation for acceptance by military service academies for their dependent children.

Eligible applicants must be:
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 retired members. 

How do I receive a scholarship?
• Fill out an application and mail it with the supporting documents by the applicable deadline!
• The majority of students who meet deadlines receive a scholarship.
• Academic achievements and individual accomplishments may be considered.

Complete the application
The application is available November 1 in three ways:

• By mail from AER HQ until February 20
• At http://www.aerhq.org/education.asp to apply online or to print form and mail by March 1st

To be considered, the scholarship application must be on time, complete, accurate and contain all required documents and signatures.

For more details on this topic, please go to: http://www.aerhq.org/education_dependentchildren_mgjames.asp