Financial Assistance Programs
Zero-Interest Loans and Grants
Categories of Assistance
All assistance requests are unique and considered on an individual basis.
- Emergency travel
- Natural disaster preparation and evacuation
- Mortgage, rent and initial deposit
- Temporary lodging
- Food
- Healthcare not covered by TRICARE
- Vehicle costs
- Utilities
- Funeral expenses
- Basic essential furniture
- Appliance costs
- Cranial helmets
- PCS travel
- Child car seats
- Dental care for dependents
- Home repair
- Non-medical attendant travel
- Invitational travel order
- Clothing
- Immigration and passport fees for dependents
- Special needs medical equipment
- Spouse relicensing and recertification
- Childcare (Army Fee Assistance enrollment required)
- COVID 19 Response

Eligibility
The following individuals are eligible for AER assistance in accordance with Army Regulation 930-4:
- Soldiers on active duty and their eligible dependents
- Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers activated on Title 10 orders for more than 30 days and their eligible dependents
- Soldiers retired for longevity, medical or upon reaching age 60 (reserve component) and their eligible dependents
- Surviving spouses who have not remarried and children of Soldiers who died on active duty or died after reaching retirement eligibility
Three Ways to Apply
1. Talk to your chain of command
Your chain of command has the power to approve immediate financial assistance up to $2,000 through the Quick Assist Program. Your chain of command can also refer you to the on-post AER officer. Your chain of command is empowered to help. Just ask!
2. Visit your AER officer
Any Soldier (active or retired) can visit their nearest AER officer. Officers are conveniently located at many Army installations around the world. No Army post nearby? No problem! Soldiers can visit any military installation and request AER assistance from any military aid society.
Find your nearest office3. Call the American Red Cross
Not located within 50 miles of a military installation? The American Red Cross is authorized to provide financial assistance on behalf of AER. Call the American Red Cross at 1-877-272-7337 and select the option for financial assistance.
See if you're within 50 miles of an officeAlready have an existing loan?
Service your loan with a Defense Finance and Accounting Service, online payment or through the mail. Click below to learn more.
Manage your loan
“AER has been critical for me throughout my career for assisting Soldiers — really getting the resources to them during a time of need to alleviate the stress that they might have for financial issues, transitioning, anything like that. As a first sergeant, being able to work with the commander to give that immediate access to relieve Soldiers and provide that financial support has been an amazing asset.”
—Master Sgt. David Garcia
Other Programs
Quick Assist Program
AER’s most powerful program. Company commanders or first sergeants can approve financial assistance up to $2,000. Last year, 8,000 Soldiers received over $10 million in financial assistance from their chains of command. Give leadership the opportunity to help. Talk to your chain of command.
More on QAPWounded Warrior Assistance Program
Soldier for life! Army Wounded Warriors receive personal access to AER assistance. Applicants located within 50 miles of a military installation should visit the on-base military aid office for a consultation. Applicants not located within 50 miles of an installation should contact their AW2 advocate or AER HQ.
Survivor Assistance
Surviving spouses and children of active and retired Soldiers are eligible for financial assistance through AER’s Survivor Assistance Program. Assistance is provided as grants, and monthly stipends may be available for the most destitute.
Learn more about the Survivor Assistance ProgramWounded Warrior Comfort Grants
Soldiers medically evacuated from hostile fire or imminent danger area, peacekeeping operations or training exercises within CONUS receive immediate financial assistance. A $1,000 grant is provided at the time of hospitalization.
Contact your nearest AER office for moreEducational Scholarships
Spouses and children of active and retired Soldiers are eligible for educational scholarship programs. AER provides over $13 million in educational scholarships every year.
Learn more about scholarshipsChildcare Assistance
Families enrolled in the Army Fee Assistance program are eligible for up to $1,500 in child-care assistance ($500 per month for three months) in addition to assistance provided through the program. Families must be enrolled in Army Fee Assistance and demonstrate valid need through the completion of a budget.
Learn more about child-care assistanceRetired Lt. Gen. Nathaniel R. Thompson Jr. Career Skills Support Program
Retiring and separating Soldiers in the U.S. Army’s Career Skills Program are eligible for grants ($500 to $2,000 depending on location) to assist with costs and lessen the obstacles that can come with making the military-to-civilian transition.
Learn more about CSP assistanceFinancial Frontline
Soldiers with AER loans who are eligible and fulfill the requirements can gain credit toward their loans by:
- Reviewing and completing the financial training videos on the Army G-9 website within 90 days of the loan creation date
- Scoring an 80 or higher in the first three attempts on the test in AER’s Loan Portal
Specialists/corporals and below can receive up to $500 and sergeants and above can receive up to $250 on their current loan balances. Credits will not exceed the current balance of the loan.
- Go to the Army G-9 website (link will open in a new window)
- Go to AER’s Loan Portal

“AER was one of the first organizations that made a direct contribution to my Family after being seriously wounded. AER was right there to make a difference so that we could begin to take on the challenges ahead. As a 26-year service member, I’ve seen countless times where AER has stood up and taken care of Soldiers, including myself.”
—Retired Col. Gregory Gadson, actor, motivational speaker
Gadson is a member of AER’s Board of Managers. He was serving as commander of the 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment, in 2007 when an IED took both his legs above the knees and he lost the use of his right arm and hand. He continued to serve on active duty and led Fort Belvoir, Virginia’s garrison before retiring.