Frequently Asked Questions

The required documents will include transcripts, a FASFA Submission Summary, and the sponsoring Soldier’s Leave and Earning Statement, DD214, Casualty Report, or Title 10 Orders.

The FAFSA Submission Summary is the report provided to the student when they complete the (FAFSA) Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The complete FAFSA Submission Summary is required as part of the complete AER scholarship application.

We email award notices prior to each term of the academic year based on the Time Table included in the Scholarship Program Guidelines. We also email those who are not awarded scholarships.

The award amounts are determined after consideration of the following three variables:

1. The SAI on the student’s FAFSA Submission Report from the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
2. The total number of completed scholarship applications received
3. AER’s approved total budget

If you are awarded a scholarship, the scholarship funds are mailed directly to the school indicated on your scholarship agreement or sent by electronic funds transfer based on the school’s preference, prior to each term for which you have been awarded. The funds may be used for tuition, fees, books, and supplies. For recipients of the Maj. Gen. James Ursano Dependent Children’s Scholarship program, funds may also be used for room and board expenses.

Applications for the Maj. Gen. James Ursano Scholarship for Children are accepted between Jan. 1 and April 1 each year.

There is not a deadline to apply for the Mrs. Patty Shinseki Spouse Scholarship Program. Applications are accepted year-round and processed based on the application cycle calendar located on the spouse scholarship page.

Your scholarship may or may not be taxable. Generally speaking, a scholarship or fellowship is tax-free if you are a degree candidate and the award is used to pay for tuition and required fees, books, supplies and equipment. However, there are some scholarship and fellowship opportunities that are not tax-exempt. Any amounts used to pay for room and board and a stipend for living expenses is taxable. There are also a variety of coordination restrictions that are intended to ensure recipients don’t double dip when taking advantage of the Education Tax Benefits. Tax forms will be provided by your college if they are required.

Relevant IRS publications include:

• IRS Publication 970: Tax Benefits for Education
• IRS Publication 17: Your Federal Income Tax

Children interested in the Maj. Gen. James Ursano Scholarship should apply for the upcoming college academic year during their senior years of high school.

The sponsor’s Title 10 orders are required for Soldiers who are active National Guard or active Reserve members. The service member must be on Title 10 orders for the full academic year for which they are applying for a scholarship.

Current high school seniors must upload transcripts showing coursework through the most recent fall term.

Returning college students must upload transcripts showing all college coursework through the most recent fall term.

Spouses who are enrolling in college for the first time and no longer have access to their high school transcripts may upload a letter of explanation in place of the required transcripts for consideration.

AER accepts unofficial transcripts. The transcript must include the school’s name, student’s name, all coursework as noted above and must not be editable.

You must upload all documents for your application through our application portal. Supporting documents are not accepted by mail or email.

Dependent children may receive scholarship funds for four academic years of full–time study. Scholarships are awarded one year at a time, therefore applications must be submitted each year.

Spouses may receive scholarship funds for four academic years of full–time study or eight academic years of part–time study. Scholarships are awarded one year at a time, therefore applications must be submitted each year.

Applicants for the Maj. Gen. James Ursano Scholarship Program for Dependent Children must be under the age of 24. Eligibility ends when the dependent child turns 24. (Example: a student turning 24 in December would be eligible for the fall term only.)

There is no age limit for the Mrs. Patty Shinseki Spouse Scholarship Program.

Your cumulative grade point average must be at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Recipients of the Maj. Gen. James Ursano Scholarship for Dependent Children may use the funds for tuition, fees, books, supplies and room and board.

Recipients of the Mrs. Patty Shinseki Spouse Scholarship Program may use the funds for tuition, fees, books and supplies.

Any funds sent to the school but not needed for the expenses listed must be returned to AER. Funds are not provided directly to the student except when children must use scholarship funds for on- or off-campus room and board expenses.

Trade schools are acceptable if they are listed in the U.S. Department of Education’s accreditation database. Visit the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs to determine if a school is eligible.

The U.S. Army provides education opportunities for Soldiers, therefore, Soldiers are not eligible for AER scholarships.

Veterans must have earned retirement status due to longevity or medical reasons for their spouse and children to be eligible for scholarships.

Army Emergency Relief’s scholarship programs are only available to spouses and children of Army Soldiers.

Other military aid societies also offer scholarship programs:

• Air Force Aid Society
• Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
• Coast Guard Mutual Assistance

Students cannot be a member of any military branch, including a Reserve component. Students attending military service academies are not eligible because their financial need is already met.