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AER announces scholarship opportunities for 2019-2020 academic year

CHIÈVRES, Belgium -- Army Emergency Relief, or AER, announced the application window for the Maj. Gen. James Ursano Scholarship for the 2019 to 2020 academic year. The window is open from Jan. 4 to April 1.

The need-based scholarship is for children of active-duty or retired Soldiers and children of Soldiers who died during active-duty service. Applicants must be obtaining their first undergraduate degree and enrolled full-time in the 2019 to 2020 academic year.

According to the AER’s website, the award amounts vary per year. For the 2018 to 2019 academic year, the scholarship's awards ranged from $500 to $3,400.

Applicants must reapply each year and may receive assistance up to four academic years as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.

AER also provides need-based scholarships to Army spouses obtaining their undergraduate degrees through the Spouse Education Assistance Program. Spouses may receive scholarships for either full-time or part-time study.

The program implemented a new rolling application cycle beginning with the 2018 to 2019 academic year. Spouses may apply April 1 for the upcoming academic year.

The award amounts vary per year. For the 2018 to 2019 academic year, the awards ranged from $500 to $2,200.

Applicants must reapply each year and may receive assistance for up to four academic years for full-time study or up to eight academic years for part-time study.

In the last 10 years, AER awarded over 41,000 scholarships totaling more than $84 million. More information, including the application instructions, is at the AER website. For questions about scholarships, email scholarships@aerhq.org.

Army Community Service’s Financial Readiness Program helps service members, family members, retirees and civilians with financial planning. On Jan. 23 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., ACS will host a “Budgeting for College” class in Brussels Bldg. 4 which focuses on college loans and grants, college 529 plans, investment products, scholarships and choosing careers. The class will be shown via video teleconference to participants outside of Brussels. For more information, call DSN 366-6824 or +32(0)65-32-6824.

Story by USAG Benelux Public Affairs