College Grants for Military Spouses
There are quite a few opportunities to find military spouse scholarships. Education programs to help pay for college in the form of grants, loans, and scholarships for military spouses are available from foundations, organizations, colleges, and the branches of the military services. Some military spouses may also be eligible to take exams for free from the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). This exams allow military spouses to earn college credit for material that they already know well.
First we will list some sources of funding, following by opportunities for free college money for each of the branches of service. Then we will suggest additional resources for how to pay for college.
The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts
(MyCAA) is a program through the Department of Defense that can provide as much as $4,000 in financial assistance to military spouses attending college, trade school, or vocational school. Military spouses should contact MilitaryOneSource to speak with an education counselor and to seek assistance to pay for college. Call toll free at 1-800-342-9647. Unfortunately, Coast Guard spouses are not eligible for this program as the Coast Guard is under the Department of Homeland Security and not the Department of Defense.
The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA)
The AFCEA is a non-profit association. They feature an Educational Foundation that awards several scholarships, fellowships, and college grants. They have helped many military spouses to pay for college.
Here you will find opportunities for free college money for the family members of the five branches of the U.S. military.
There are many college grants that are open to most undergraduate students, based on financial need. In addition to finding opportunities below for military spouse scholarships, we recommend you apply for the Pell Grant as well as any college grants issued at the state level.
Scholarships for military spouses are usually determined based on the particular branch of service of the military personnel. Read below to find the appropriate branch of service.
Air Force: College Awards and Scholarships
The General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant is for members of the Air Force, their spouses and children. This $2,000 grant is based on proven economic need. The Airmen Memorial Foundation (AMF) and the Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) has some scholarships, not for the spouses, but for the children, of active-duty or retired enlisted Air Force personnel.
The Air Force Association has a list of several scholarships for present and retired Air Force personnel and their spouses and children. These include the Michael Wilson Scholarship of $15,000, the Pitsenbarger Awards ($400 one-time college grants), the Lt. Col Romeo and Josephine Bass Ferretti Scholarhip, the Captain Jodi Callahan Memorial Scholarship, Spouse Scholarships, and a Full Scholarship to Grantham University.
Army: The Spouse Educational Assistance Program
Army spouses can find money to help with college from The Spouse Education Assistance Program. It is for spouses of U.S. Army personnel , awarding $350 each academic term.
Coast Guard: Education Grant and Loan Programs
Spouses of active-duty members (E-3 to E-9 ranks) of the Coast Guard can qualify for college grants of $250 and $500 per calendar year. Furthermore, you can find details from the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) Education Grant and Loan Programs. The CGMA can help spouses and children of active and retired Coast Guard personnel with educational assistance, including college grants and loans.
Marine Corps: College Grants for Spouses
Spouses of U.S. Marine personnel can find college grants. Through the Department of Defense’s MyCAA Program. It is available to spouses of military personnel in pay grades of E1 to E5, W1 to W2, and O1 to O2. The program is valid if the spouse is on active duty or is in activated while in the Reserves on Title 10 orders. . Call toll free at 1-800-342-9647 for more details.
You may also wish to check with the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society’s Education Division at (703) 696-4960 or e-mail them at education@nmcrs.org for any of the latest details regarding educational assistance for Marine spouses.
Navy: Spouse Tuition Aid Program and Other Sources of College Money
The Spouse Tuition Aid Program (STAP) can help the spouses of Navy personnel. These college grants range from $300 to $1,500 for undergraduate studies while grants for graduate school range from $350 to $1,750, for each year of studies.
In addition, you may wish to check with the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society’s Education Division at (703) 696-4960 or e-mail them at education@nmcrs.org to investigate the latest information regarding college grants, scholarships and student financial aid for Navy spouses.
Beyond Military-Related Sources to Find Help Paying for College
For military spouses, college money is not only available from the above-mentioned sources. It is recommended to apply for the Pell Grant as one of the first steps for seeking out how to pay for college. Many college grants and scholarships are also available from other sources, such as women’s college grants and minority college grants. Take a further look through our college grant pages to see how spouses of military personnel can find help paying for college, from military spouse scholarships to college grants and federal financial aid.
