Army Emergency Relief was incorporated in 1942 by the Secretary of War and the Army Chief of Staff. Army Emergency Relief’s mission is to provide emergency financial assistance. In 2007, Army Emergency Relief helped almost 49,000 soldiers and families members with almost $83 million. In 2007, AER helped 347 Schweinfurt soldiers and their family members with loans and grants of $380,000. Army Emergency Relief is a private, non-profit organization whose sole mission is to collect and hold funds to relieve financial distress of Soldiers and their Family members.

Based on the specific financial need. Although each loan is considered on its own merit, Army Emergency Relief will consider cases in the following areas: Travel Expenses, Loss of Funds, Medical / Dental Expenses, Essential Privately-Owned-Vehicle Repairs, Food, Rent & Utilities.

Army Emergency Relief offers the dependent spouse of soldiers assigned to the United States Army Europe the Spouse Education Assistance Program. This program is designed to help Army families with the costs of post secondary undergraduate level education and vocational training to prepare the spouse for the job market. Assistance will be awarded up to half the cost of tuition per term based on relative financial need, as evidenced by income, assets, family size, special financial obligations and circumstance with a $580 maximum per academic term (up to $2900 per year).The funds must be used to assist with tuition, fees, books and supplies.

The MG James Ursano Scholarship Fund helps Army families with the costs of undergraduate level education, post secondary vocational training and preparation for acceptance by service academies for dependent children. Scholarship awards range from $1,500 to $5,400 per academic year. The scholarship funds may be used to assist with tuition, fees, books, supplies and room/board either on or off campus.

The web application is available as hardcopy from the website or students may apply online at http:/www.aerhq.org For more information contact AER at DSN 469-9091/7777 or Civ 0951-300-9091/7777.

Army Emergency Relief is the standard for soldiers helping other soldiers. The annual campaign is the one time each year all soldiers have the opportunity to help their fellow soldiers with their contributions. Despite the reduction in the size of the U.S. Army, the soldier’s need for financial assistance has not diminished and is not expected to decline in the foreseeable future. Campaign contributions help assure Army Emergency Relief’s capability to make the required funds available to soldiers and their families when faced with financial emergencies.

For more information please call 469-9091/7777 or Civilian: 0951-300-9091/7777.