Grants are made to individuals based on financial need. Financial assistance grants are provided based on evidence of current or impending debt liability. Educational grants (scholarships) are paid to the school on behalf of the student and the school confirms the students' enrollment. Effective Sept. 9, 2015, junior Soldiers -
privates through
corporals/
specialists - complete Initial Entry Training and have a minimum of 12 months service or have completed
Advanced Individual Training (whichever comes first) will no longer be required to request an AER loan or grant by going through their chain of command. In 2013,
sergeants first class were given direct access to AER without going through their chain of command. On Jan. 1, 2014, AER extended direct access to
sergeants and above. In 2023, AER helped more than 2,000 Army Families with more than $1.3 million in disaster relief. AER provided $36,000 in grants to soldiers based on Guam in the wake of
Super Typhoon Marwar. In 2023, the organization provided roughly $57.6 million in assistance and $5.3 million in scholarships, according to AER. to a total of 72,000 people. For 2009, AER plans to reduce its total scholarships to $8 million. As of early 2009, AER was paying for a staff of 21 people, all at its headquarters at the
Army Human Resources Command in
Alexandria, Virginia, with the Army paying 300 or so other civilians, located at ninety Army sites worldwide, who worked full-time for the AER. The Army also provides AER its office space at no charge. == Armed Forces Relief Trust ==