Financial Readiness
The Financial Readiness Program offers a variety of services such as personal finance education and budget counseling along with a host of many other finance support programs. The program was created to enhance and maintain mission readiness and quality of life by providing Soldiers and their Family members information and assistance to achieve personal financial readiness and deployability through the use of sound money management and consumer skills.
Our Financial Readiness Program offers education, counseling and support services to assist Soldiers and their Families with their financial affairs, including living within their means and investing for the future. Finances are the number one stress in the lives of military Families. The Financial Readiness program offers classes and counseling to resolve problems and relieve this stress. We also offer Army Emergency Relief as reactive assistance when Soldiers and Family members require emergency financial assistance. AER's mission is to provide emergency financial assistance by way of a no-interest loan or grant.
Financial Services Available to all US ID Cardholders Include:
Budget Counseling
A Financial counselor meets with the client (and spouse) to discuss their personal finances. The counselor completes a financial analysis to determine the household’s monthly living expenses. The Family receives information on developing a spending plan, managing personal finances and methods to track spending. A budget is then developed for the Family.
Download a sample budget sheet
Debt Liquidation
For military consumers who find themselves in debt and for those who want to learn about how to avoid excessive debt, ACS offers the Debt Liquidation program on a one on one basis. The client meets with the financial counselor and completes a financial analysis to determine available income to pay creditors. Documents needed for the appointment include a copy of all bills and credit card statements, a complete list of all debt (even those you have not paid for a while), a current leave and earnings statement (LES), current bank statement and any demand for payment letters.
Financial Education
Our classes are available upon request to units, individual sections and Family Readiness groups. Please call us to register.
Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance (FSSA)
FSSA is an entitlement in a Soldier's pay that is nontaxable with the intent to remove a Soldier's household from food stamp eligibility. Information and applications are now available. Please read the information, complete and print both the worksheet and the online application available through the link below, and make an appointment with the Financial Readiness Program Manager at Army Community Service:
FSSA Application
It is highly recommended you call for an appointment to ensure you are eligible for services and a counselor is readily available to assist you.
Army Emergency Relief
What is Army Emergency Relief?Army Emergency Relief (AER) is the Army's own emergency financial assistance organization and is dedicated to "Helping the Army Take Care of Its Own". It provides commanders a valuable asset in accomplishing their basic command responsibility for the morale and welfare of Soldiers. Funds are to provide emergency financial assistance to Soldiers - active & retired - and their dependents when there is a valid need. Funds made available to commanders are not limited and are constrained only by the requirement of valid need.
A non-profit organization incorporated in 1942 by the Secretary of War and the Army Chief of Staff, AER's mission is to provide emergency financial assistance to Soldiers and their dependents by way of a no-interest loan or grant. To learn more about AER, please log on at www.aerhq.org.
Who does AER help?
• Active duty Soldiers, single or married and their dependents
• ARNG and USAR Soldier on continuous active duty for more than 30 days and their dependents
• Soldiers retired from active duty for longevity or physical disability, and their dependents
• ARNG and USAR Soldiers who retired at age 60 and their dependents
• Surviving spouses and orphans of Soldiers who died while on active duty or after they retired
What does AER provide?
Assistance is authorized for valid emergency financial needs such as:
• Non-receipt of Pay/Lost or Stolen Funds
• Medical, dental and hospital expenses
• Funeral Expenses
• Emergency travel expenses
• Rent, utilities, food (privation)
• Clothing
• Fire or other disaster
• Emergency transportation and vehicle repair
What can't AER do?
• Help pay for nonessentials
• Finance ordinary leave or vacation
• Pay fines or legal expenses
• Help liquidate or consolidate debt
• Assist with house purchase or home improvements
• Help purchase, rent or lease a vehicle
• Cover bad checks or pay credit card bills
Army Emergency Relief: Education Program
AER's Education Program is a secondary mission to help Army Families with the costs of education. The three separate scholarship programs are: the Stateside Spouse Education Assistance Program (SSEAP), the Overseas Spouse Education Assistance Program (OSEAP) and the Major General James Ursano Scholarship Program for Dependent Children.
The Stateside Spouse Education Assistance Program (SSEAP)
The SSEAP is available is for the spouses of active duty and retired Army Soldiers and the widows (ers) of Soldiers who have died while on active duty or in a retired status. The spouse, widow or widower must reside within the United States. The purpose of the program is to assist spouses in furthering their education to afford them increased employment opportunities.
This financial assistance scholarship is a GRANT and awarded based on financial need as evidenced by income, assets, Family size and special/unique financial obligations or circumstances. Scholarship money is for tuition, books, supplies and fees and will be paid by AER directly to the college or university.
The scholarships will be awarded annually for up to four academic years to attend post-secondary school full time for the entire academic year as undergraduate level students.
Spouses must apply every academic year and must maintain at least a cumulative 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) to be eligible for the scholarship.
Scholarships are for undergraduate courses only at a post-secondary or vocational institution approved by the US Department of Education. This program is not open to spouses who already have an undergraduate degree.
Applications and instructions are available on the AER website:
http://www.aerhq.org/education.asp
Overseas Spouse Education Assistance Program (OSEAP)
Eligibility:
• Applicant must be a spouse of a Soldier on active duty assigned in Europe, Korea, Japan or Okinawa.
• Applicant must physically reside with Soldier at the assigned location.
• Second undergraduate degrees are not eligible.
• Graduate and off-post students are not eligible.
• Spouses may be part-time or full-time students. Scholarship awards will be awarded up to half the cost of tuition. Scholarship awards are based on financial need, as evidenced by income, assets, Family size, and special circumstances.
Applications and instructions are available on the AER website:
http://www.aerhq.org/education.asp
How do I receive a scholarship?
Fill out an application and mail it with the supporting documents by the applicable deadline!
The application is available the following ways:
• Online at http://www.aerhq.org/education.asp
• Upon written request to AER HQ
• Education Centers and schools
A complete application must be submitted for the first term of each academic year. A renewal form and applicable documents are required for subsequent terms. For more details on this topic, please go to: http://www.aerhq.org/education_spouse_Overseas.asp
The MG James Ursano Scholarship Fund
Its mission is to help Army Families with the costs of post-secondary undergraduate level education, vocational training, and preparation for acceptance by military service academies for their dependent children.
Eligible applicants must be:
Dependent children, stepchildren or legally adopted children of Army Soldiers on active duty, retired or deceased while in active duty or retired status. The children of Grey Area Reservists / National Guard are eligible as retired members.
• Fill out an application and mail it with the supporting documents by the applicable deadline!
• The majority of students who meet deadlines receive a scholarship.
• Academic achievements and individual accomplishments may be considered.
Complete the application. To be considered, the scholarship application must be on time, complete, accurate and contain all required documents and signatures.
Applications and instructions are available at the AER website:
Helpful Links:
Contact the program manager at DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188 for more information regarding the AER program.
