Completing an education is hard enough without having to stress about how to pay for it. If you have a military affiliation and are thinking about college (or are already working on a degree), you’re in luck. Organizations have stepped up to offer education assistance (scholarship opportunities) to offset the cost of tuition and fees.
Yes, that’s right. There are programs — scholarships, loans, and grants — designed with you in mind. But it’s going to take some work and a lot of organization. Please note: If no deadline is indicated, it means the application period for 2022 has ended and you should check back during the same timeframe in 2023.
A few things to consider ahead of time:
- Read all of the criteria early so that you can plan for any time-consuming requirements, like letters of recommendation.
- Create reminders for deadlines so that you don’t miss any important dates.
YEAR-ROUND SCHOLARSHIPS
National Military Family Association
What’s the basics: Awards available for all levels of degrees, professional licenses and certifications, supervised clinical hours, and business expenses.
Application details: Year-round.
MyCAA (My Career Advancement Account)
Who’s eligible: Spouses of service members with the rank of E1-E5; W1-W2; O1-O2.
What’s the basics: Maximum tuition assistance benefit of $4000 to be used toward an associate degree, license or certification.
Application details: Year-round.
BRANCH AID SOCIETIES
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
Who’s eligible: Spouses of active duty or retired sailors and Marines.
What’s the basics: Interest-free loans and grants for undergraduates at an accredited 2- or 4-year education, technical or vocational institution.
Application details: Deadline to apply is June 3, 2022.
Who’s eligible: Spouses of active-duty airmen and Title 10 reservists, and widows; dependent children of active duty, Title 10 reservists on extended active duty, Title 32 Guard performing full-time active duty, retired, retired reserve and deceased Air Force or Space Force members.
What’s the basics: Needs-based grant ranging from $500 – $4000.
Application details: Applications will be available January 2023.
Army Emergency Relief (for military spouses)
What’s the basics: The Mrs. Patty Shinseki Spouse Scholarship Program is a need-based scholarship program established to assist Army spouses in obtaining an undergraduate degree or similar professional certification.
Application details: Opens June 1, 2022.
Army Emergency Relief (for military kids)
What’s the basics: The Maj. Gen. James Ursano Scholarship Program is a need-based scholarship program established to assist children of Army Soldiers in obtaining their first undergraduate degree.
Application details: The application cycle typically runs January – April.
Who’s eligible: Spouses of Coast Guardsmen.
What’s the basics: Loans and grants for a number of reimbursable education-related expenses.
Application details: Year-round.
PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS
Who’s eligible: Current spouses of veterans or active-duty service members, including surviving spouses.
What’s the basics: $10,000 scholarship to assist with academic expenses, such as tuition, fees, and books.
Application details: Opens February 2023.
Who’s eligible: College students of active duty, Guard and reserve or retired military commissary customers.
What’s the basics: A total of 500 scholarships are distributed in the amount of $2,000 each.
FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship Program
What’s the basics: The fellowship provides military spouses the opportunity to earn the Accredited Financial Counselor® certification.
What’s the basics: Scholarships awarded to spouses and military kids may be used for a first-time undergraduate study at an accredited 2-year or 4-year college, university, or accredited vocational technical or trade school program.
Application details: The application cycle typically runs March 1 – April 15.
Florida Advisory Council on Military Education
Who’s eligible: Active duty, Guard, or reserve service member of the U. S. Armed Forces; Spouse of any active duty, Guard, or reserve service member of the U. S. Armed Forces; and veteran with an honorable discharge (must provide documentation).
Application details: The application cycle typically runs at the beginning of the year until March.
Who’s eligible: Active duty, drilling reservists, National Guard members and their dependents; veteran or retiree.
What’s the basics: Five different categories of scholarships with application cycles in the spring and fall.
Council of College and Military Educators (CCME)
What’s the basics: The organization awards $1000 scholarships with the application process typically running July to November.
Who’s eligible: Spouses and children of enlisted Coast Guard members; children of fallen Coast Guard members; and enlisted Coast Guard members.
Application details: The application cycle typically runs February – April.
NATIONAL SPOUSE CLUBS
Who’s eligible: Up to 31 scholarships awarded annually, with eligibility for spouses/dependents of the Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps.
Application details: The application cycle typically closes at the end of March.
LOCAL SPOUSE CLUBS
There are dozens of spouse clubs co-located to military installations around the world. (Yes, we said world – including OCONUS locations). These organizations are a place of camaraderie for spouses, but also participate in philanthropic activities like scholarships and charitable giving. At the start of each new year, the clubs usually open up applications for scholarship programs with specific eligibility requirements. Some require applicants to be a member and some do not.
How to find them: A simple internet search of your installation and the phrase ‘military spouse club’ should produce results. Also, the club may be officer, enlisted or combined.
TIP: Local spouse clubs typically open applications in December/January.
Below are a few examples of those offering education assistance—
Eielson Air Force Base Spouses’ Club (AK)
Fort Huachuca Community Spouses Club (AZ)
Military Spouses Club of Yuma (AZ)
Military Spouse Association of Camp Pendleton (CA)
Monterey Bay Officers Spouse Club (CA)
Maryland Military & Civilian Spouses’ Club (MD)
Camp Lejeune Officers’ Spouses’ Club (NC)
Association of Bragg Spouses (NC)
Offutt Enlisted Spouses Club (NE)
Offutt Officers’ Spouses’ Club (NE)
North Country Spouses Club (NY)
Military Spouses of Newport (RI)
Fort Bliss Spouses’ Association (TX)
Fort Hood Military Family Member Scholarship Fund (TX)
Did we miss something? If your organization offers a military-affiliated scholarship or grant, submit your information at https://militaryfamilies.com/scholarship-signup/.
