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 (4) academic years as long as they meet the eligibility criteria. Applicants must be dependent children, stepchildren, or legally adopted children or a ward of Army soldiers on active duty, retired, or deceased while on active duty or after retirement. Children of Reserve or National Guard soldiers mobilized under Title 10 status for the entire academic year. Applicants must also be under 24 years of age and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. The award amounts vary annually, influenced by factors such as the number of applicants, the total approved scholarship budget, the applicant's Student Aid Index (SAI) from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and the average cost of attendance at U.S. colleges and universities.
Maj. Gen. James Joseph Ursano retired from active duty on July 1, 1976, after 33 years of service. His final assignment was Director of Management, Office of the Chief of Staff, Department of the Army. He was named AER Director on July 1, 1976, a position he held for 10 years. Ursano passed away in 1996. The AER Scholarship for Dependent Children was renamed the Maj. Gen. James Ursano Scholarship Fund in honor of his distinguished life of service to Soldiers and families.