Benefit Fact Sheet
The MG James Ursano Scholarship Program is a need-based scholarship program established to assist children of Army soldiers in obtaining their first undergraduate degree. Applicants must reapply each year and may receive assistance for up to four academic years as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.
Due to issues with the availability of the FAFSA application, Army Emergency Relief (AER) will delay accepting MG Ursano applications until February 1st for the 2024-2025 academic year. The 2024-2025 application cycle runs from February 1 through April 1, 2024.
Dependent children, stepchildren or legally adopted children of retired soldiers from federal active duty, a retiree, or a deceased active or retired soldier are eligible for the MG James Ursano Scholarship if they are registered in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System (DEERS) and remain unmarried for the entire academic year. The student must be under the age of 24 (eligibility ends at the end of the semester/term in which the student reaches their 24th birthday. Example: turning 24 in December would mean the scholarship would be awarded for fall term ONLY). Student must not be a member of the National Guard, Reserves, or other military branch.
Applicants must be enrolled, accepted, or pending acceptance as full-time dependent students for the entire academic year in post-secondary school for undergraduate study. Full time attendance is required at the school accepting the scholarship funds. The U.S. Department of Education must accredit these schools.
The funds are used for tuition, fees, books, supplies, and school room and board either on or off campus.
Scholarship applicants must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 grading scale for funds to be disbursed.
MG James Ursano Scholarships are awarded based on financial need (as evidenced by income, Family size and special financial obligations).
Scholarships are awarded on an annual basis for up to a maximum of 4 years of undergraduate study (continuing students must apply each year).
Applications are available on the AER website each year after January 1 and must be submitted before the April 1 deadline for the upcoming academic school year. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is due no later than April 1. Then entire process is completed "on line." To be considered, the scholarship application must be complete, accurate and contain all required documents and signatures, if applicable, when received according to the established deadlines.
For more information, please visit the MG James Ursano Scholarship Program webpage maintained by Army Emergency Relief: https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/scholarships/child/
AER Fact Sheet for MG Ursano Scholarship Program:
https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2024-2025-Retired-Maj.-Gen.-James-Ursano-Scholarship-Program-Guidelines-.pdf
AER Scholarship FAQs:
https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/faqs/?fwp_faqs_categories=scholarships