What does AER do if an applicant’s needs cannot be met with a loan?

The correct answer highlights the flexibility of the Army Emergency Relief (AER) program in addressing the financial needs of soldiers and their families. When an applicant's specific needs cannot be entirely met with just a loan, AER has the ability to provide a combination of both a loan and a grant. This method ensures that service members receive the comprehensive support they require, as grants do not have to be repaid and can effectively cover necessary expenses that a loan alone would not suffice for.

This approach acknowledges that financial situations can be complex and may necessitate more than one type of assistance to help individuals regain stability. By offering both a loan and a grant, AER demonstrates a commitment to understanding and addressing the multifaceted challenges that soldiers may face, ensuring they receive adequate support during difficult times.

In contrast, simply denying assistance would leave applicants without help, and only offering grants would not address situations where a loan could also be applicable to meet part of the financial needs. Requiring repayment of the loan would not effectively address situations where individuals might need additional support beyond what a loan alone can provide.