- What is Army Emergency Relief Program (AER)
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History: Established February 1942 by Secretary of War Stimson & Army Chief of Staff GEN Marshall. Incorporated in Washington D.C. as a Private Non-Profit Charity (501c (3)). Title 10 U.S. Code & Army Regulation 930-4.
Purpose: To relieve Soldier and Family distress by providing needed financial assistance.
Mission: To provide grants, interest-free loans, and scholarships in coordination with US Army Installation Management Command to promote readiness and relieve financial distress of Soldiers and their families.
Eligibility
- Active Duty Soldiers and their eligible Family Members
- Retired Soldiers and their eligible Family Members
- Reserve and National Guard Soldiers on active duty orders for 30 consecutive days or more and their eligible Family Members
- Reserve and National Guard Soldiers who retire and are eligible for retired pay
- Surviving Spouses and Orphans (Active Duty or Retired)
- Company Commander & First Sergeant Quick Assist Program (QAP)
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Company Commanders and First Sergeants can help their Soldiers address short-term financial hardship. Company Commander or First Sergeant (SFC or above) can approve interest free loans up to $2,000; this application must be signed by CO/1SG. All other requests must be requested under the Direct Access/Routine Assistance program.
- AER Scholarship Programs
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MG James Ursano Scholarship Program for Children: Children pursuing an undergraduate degree who meet eligibility criteria may receive assistance for up to four academic years. Children must re-apply every year.
Mrs. Patty Shinseki Spouse Scholarship Program: Spouses pursuing an undergraduate degree or professional certification may receive assistance for up to four academic years of full-time study or eight academic years of part-time study. Spouses may apply year-round (no deadlines) and must re-apply every year.
For more information on scholarships go to https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/scholarships/
- The Annual AER Campaign
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The Annual AER Campaign is held every year from 1 March to 15 May. This campaign is to inform Soldiers about AER and to accept contributions to the AER program. Fort Benning raised contributions in the amount of $129,417.42 during the 2020 AER Campaign.
Why Donate? As the Army’s own nonprofit financial assistance organization, AER provides the most direct path to supporting Soldiers and their Families. Based 100% on the generous donations from Soldiers and American citizens for the past 78 years, AER has provided $2 billion in assistance to nearly four million members of the Army team since 1942, including $1 billion since 9-11.
You can donate to AER year round at: https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/donate/
Army Emergency Relief can help with out-of-pocket childcare costs. Contact your local AER officer or visit our website at www.ArmyEmergencyRelief.org to learn more!
In 2020, AER provided 20,000 Soldiers and Families with $50 million in financial assistance! You can join us in our mission of helping Soldiers and Families donating! Go to https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/donate
AER has over 35 categories of assistance to support Soldiers and their Families. Talk to your local AER officer to learn more. Call the Fort Benning AER office at 706-545-0392/626/0290.
If you need AER assistance and it is after hours or if you are more than 50 miles from an Army base you can contact the American Red Cross at (877) 272-7337.
