FORT SILL, Okla. -- Having the knowledge to do something is priceless; getting an education however can be very costly. That's where Army Emergency Relief comes in. The program doesn't just help military families in crisis; it also helps them get an education.
According to Donghoon Lee, an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, "student debt is the only kind of household debt that continued to rise through the Great Recession" and is now the "second largest balance after mortgage debt."
Several Fort Sill families received the news their pockets wouldn't have to bear the full burden of college tuition after AER announced the award of 45 scholarships for children of active-duty and retired Soldiers here, as well as 12 scholarships under the Spouse Education Assistance Program.
"It's going to help tremendously. I actually lost my Pell Grant so it's definitely going to help pay for college because it's a bit expensive," said Kristen Short.
The AER Scholarship for Dependent Children was renamed to the Maj. Gen. James Ursano Scholarship Fund in 1997. The Ursano scholarships for military children are awarded based on financial need, academic performance, and demonstration of leadership. A student can qualify under one or all of the criteria. AER received 6,132 applications under this program.
Kimberly Riedman is attending Cameron University for a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Her father was a Soldier for more than three decades, just like Ursano.
"I was really happy because that meant more scholarship money. I have to go to school and it's a challenge just to pay for it. Any little bit you can get really helps."
Scholarship award amounts vary each year based on the allotted budget and the total number of applications completed.
"It helps my parents relax a little bit and it doesn't put as much pressure on me to earn that much extra money," said Short.
For the first time, all applications and documentation were submitted online. To apply for an AER scholarship, complete an online application and mail the supporting documents by the deadline. The application is available each year after Dec. 1 at www.aerhq.org
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