Scholarships
Assistance for higher education and professional certifications
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 downloadable information about the scholarship program and a QR code, click here.
Maj. Gen. James Ursano Scholarship Program for Military 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. The deadline for the 2023-2024 academic year is April 1.
For downloadable information about the scholarship program and a QR code, click here.
ApplyPentagon Victims Scholarship Program
AER provides many sources of financial support for the Families of Soldiers who were victims of 9/11, making sure that Soldiers are always being taken care of. Specifically, the Pentagon Victims Scholarship Program is directed at the dependent Spouses and children of the Army Soldiers killed or injured in the attack on the Pentagon on 9/11.
The goals of the scholarship are straightforward:
- meeting the immediate financial needs of the Families
- ensuring dependent children had the opportunity to complete their college educations
Having dispersed $3.9 million for Spouses and children to date, it is safe to say these goals are met. However, the Pentagon Victim Scholarship went even further to extend funding for graduate degrees.
The application process starts with the program first contacting those eligible. After a short application is completed, the fund can be processed. There is no timeline or deadline for the completion and all recipients are walked through the process.
AER Scholarship Recipient
“The AER scholarship made it easier for my Family and I to comfortably afford my school materials such as textbooks, laptop, calculator, etc. My advice for Army kids looking to pursue a higher education is to apply for as many scholarships as possible just like AER to lessen the financial burden of receiving an education.”
—Itzander, who graduated with a finance degree from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Scholarships by the Numbers
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who is eligible for AER scholarships?
Spouses and children of Soldiers in the following statuses are eligible to apply for our scholarship programs:
- Active duty
- Deceased active
- Retired
- Deceased retired
- Medically retired
- Grey Area Retiree
- Active Guard Reserve and United States Army Reserve on Title 10 Orders for the entire academic year for which they are applying
Applicants must be listed as dependents of their Soldier Sponsor in DEERS.
Applicants for the Maj. Gen. James Ursano Children’s Scholarship Program must be under the age of 24.
Recipients must be pursuing their first undergraduate degree (exceptions may be made for spouse scholarship applicants) at a college or university listed in the U.S. Department of Education’s accreditation database. Trade schools are acceptable as well. Visit the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs to determine if your school is eligible.
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Are scholarship awards the same every year?
Scholarship awards vary each year based on the total number of applicants in each program and budget amount allotted to the scholarship program.
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How are scholarship funds distributed?
If you are awarded a scholarship, the scholarship funds are mailed directly to the school indicated on your scholarship agreement 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.