In this article, we look at grants for military spouses that can help ease the financial burden of education for military families that relocate frequently.
The next section lists these grants for military spouses and provides links for you to learn more about each grant.
List of Grants for Military Spouses
Without further ado, below is a list of grants for military spouses that you are eligible for as the spouse of military personnel.
MyCAA (Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts)
The My Career Advancement Account Scholarship is a workforce development initiative that offers eligible military spouses up to $4,000 in financial aid for the pursuit or maintenance (including continuing education courses) of a license, certification, or associate degree required to enter the workforce in a particular occupation or career field.
Website: https://mycaa.militaryonesource.mil/mycaa/
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SECO (Spouse Education and Career Opportunities)
The Department of Defense Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program offers extensive information and tools for all phases of your career growth as well as education and career guidance to military spouses worldwide.
Website: https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil/portal/
NMFA (National Military Family Association) Military Spouse Scholarships
This benefit aids spouses by offering financial aid for their post-secondary education. They may get from them more than once. For qualifying spouses, NMFA offers military spouse scholarships ranging from $500 to $2500.
Website: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/benefits/nmfa-military-spouse-scholarships/
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Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) Career Portal
Military spouses can connect with hundreds of partner firms through the Department of Defense’s Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP), which has made a commitment to find, hire, promote, and keep military spouses.
Website: https://msepjobs.militaryonesource.mil/msep/
Army Emergency Relief (AER) Spouse Education Assistance Program
For up to four academic years of full-time education or eight academic years of part-time study, spouses pursuing an undergraduate degree or professional certification are eligible for financial aid.
No deadlines apply to spouse applications, which must be submitted annually. The program contacts those who are qualified before starting the application process. The fund can be processed following the completion of a brief application.
All recipients are guided through the procedure, and there is no time frame or deadline for completion.
Website: https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/scholarships/
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Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program
The focal point of AFAS education support is the General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant program, also known as the Hap Arnold Grant. The Arnold Education Grant application process acts as the foundation for other significant educational support initiatives at the Society.
The Hap Arnold Grant is competitive in its need-based eligibility standards and is specially designed to consider the right balancing of family income and educational expenses.
Each year, qualifying dependents of the Air Force and the Space Force are given grants from $500 to $2,000 each. The precise sum given is based on the degree of financial need of each student.
Website: https://afas.org/haparnoldgrant/
Children and spouses of Sailors and Marines who are on active duty, retired, or who have passed away (while on active duty or retired) are eligible for awards of up to $3,000. Candidates must demonstrate financial need, keep a 2.0 GPA, and apply each year.
The application period begins on March 1 and ends on May 15. Awards are presented In June and sent to the institution in July.
Website: https://comptroller.texas.gov/programs/education/msp/funding/aid/scholarship/scnavmar.php
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Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) Supplemental Education Grants
The SEG rose from $500 to $1,000 each calendar year on January 1, 2023, and now includes expenses for buying laptops and computers for use in the classroom as well as reimbursement for the price of advanced education exams like the Praxis and LSATs.
Website: https://www.cgmahq.org/programs/seg.html
Pat Tillman Foundation Military Scholar Program
The Pat Tillman Foundation seeks for exceptional military personnel, veterans, and spouses and provides them with academic scholarships, chances for lifelong leadership development, and access to a varied, global network of accomplished peers and mentors. Their scholars are having an effect in the areas of healthcare, business, public service, STEM, education, and the humanities as they lead by example.
Website: https://pattillmanfoundation.org/apply/
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Fisher House Foundation Scholarships for Military Children
The Scholarships for Military Children Program was established to honor the sacrifices made by military families to the fighting force’s readiness and to highlight the importance of the commissary in the lives of military families.
Website: https://fisherhouse.org/programs/scholarship-programs/scholarships-for-military-children/
ThanksUSA Scholarship Program
Since 2006, ThanksUSA has given almost 5,000 scholarships totaling more than $16 million to deserving students from all 50 states and every military branch.
Website: https://www.thanksusa.org/scholarships.html
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Scholarships for Military Spouses
DAV gives $110,000 in scholarships each year, which may be applied to any accredited college or university as well as community colleges and vocational schools.
Website: https://www.dav.org/get-involved/volunteer/dav-scholarships/
American Legion Auxiliary Scholarships for Non-Traditional Students
Each regional district of the Auxiliary receives one $2,000 scholarship each year. The applicant may be enrolled in a two-year or four-year degree program, as well as a certification, trade, professional, or technical program.
Website: https://www.legion-aux.org/scholarships/non-traditional-student
FAQs
Can a military spouse get a Pell Grant?
You may be eligible for financial aid to help you achieve your educational goals if you are the dependent of a veteran or an active-duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Dependents may apply for Pell Grants and Stafford Loans as well as other types of general financial aid, which they are welcome to do.
Can I get financial aid if my husband is in the military?
Yes, you should apply for military spouse’s financial aid. Military spouses can apply for a variety of scholarship and tuition assistance programs if they meet the eligibility conditions.
With cheaper tuition, you can acquire the education you want.
Do Veteran spouses qualify for MyCAA?
Spouses of active-duty service members in pay grades E-1 to E-6, W-1 to W-2, and O-1 to O-3 who have completed high school and are eligible to apply for financial aid while their military sponsor is under Title 10 military orders are eligible for the My Career Advancement Account Scholarship.
Does my wife get free college if I’m in the military?
As the spouse of a qualified military member, you are entitled to educational benefits for up to 36 months (four academic calendar years), including 100% in-state tuition and fee payments at public universities OR up to $26,381 per academic year at private or overseas institutions.
What college benefits do military spouses get?
For qualifying military wives and dependents, the GI Bill covers 100% of tuition and fees, up to the maximum in-state tuition for public colleges and up to $22,805.34 each academic year for private or international institutions.
However, you must first arrange for the transfer of the service member’s benefits to the spouse.
How much do military wives get paid?
In response to your inquiry, military spouses are not eligible for any financial benefits or stipends. A monthly allotment can be given by a service member to their spouse or anybody else, but it is removed from their own pay.
It’s not from the Army Department or the Defense Department.
Is a military spouse a military dependent?
A dependent is a person who is related to the military sponsor and is qualified for specific benefits as a result. Dependency status is automatically granted to certain family members, typically a spouse, child, stepchild, or lawfully adopted child.
Do you get extra money for being married in the military?
You are now prepared to make sure you are set up to get benefits through the military personnel system now that everything is official. Even while it’s not referred to as “military marriage pay,” service personnel who get married do get a salary raise as part of their housing and cost-of-living allowances.
Do wives get military discounts?
Service members and their spouses are entitled to a variety of military discounts from local businesses as well as large chains of eateries like Chick-Fil-A and Outback Steakhouse. You must present a military ID to be eligible.
What is the MyCAA grant?
The scholarship aids military spouses in obtaining the certificates, licenses, or associate degrees required to work in a particular industry or field of study. To find out if you qualify, see the info sheet.
How many times can a spouse use MyCAA?
MyCAA offers a total of $4,000 in financial aid, with a $2,000 annual cap (however waivers of the cap may be given if expenditures are higher than $2,000, up to the $4,000 maximum education benefit).
Military spouses receive a one-time benefit called MyCAA financial help.
Can my wife use my GI Bill for college?
Service members can transfer any unused education benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill to members of their immediate families.
Officers and enlisted members of the active duty and Selected Reserve are covered by this. Spouses and kids count as immediate family members who qualify.
