Military spouses are eligible for several benefits that offer aid in pursuing a postsecondary degree and advancing career goals. The programs, grants and scholarships listed below will help pay for a college degree or a vocational training certificate of your choice.

Military services education assistance programs

The Army offers education programs for its spouse and family members. Here are some examples:

• Army Emergency Relief Spouse Education Assistance Program: The Army’s Spouse Education Assistance Program is a need-based scholarship program that assists Army spouses in obtaining their first undergraduate degree. They may receive assistance for up to four academic years of full-time study or eight academic years of part-time study if they meet the eligibility criteria.

The Air Force offers the following Education Programs for its Spouse and Family members.

• Servicemember's Opportunity Colleges colleges and universities are dedicated to helping your family and you get college degrees. You can take courses in your off-duty hours at or near military installations in the United States, and overseas.
• The centerpiece of the Air Force Aid Society's education initiatives is the General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program which provides grants to selected sons and daughters of active duty, Title 10 AGR/Reserve, Title 32 AGR performing full-time active duty, retired, retired reserve and deceased Air Force members; spouses (stateside) of active duty members and Title 10 AGR/Reservists; and surviving spouses of deceased personnel for their undergraduate studies. In recognition of escalating college costs, the award amount for grants is now $2,000 for all qualifying applicants.

Scholarship programs

There are plenty of scholarships and grants available to military spouses awarded by nonprofit and federal agencies, such as:

• My Career Advancement Account Scholarship (MyCAA) Program: MyCAA is an initiative of the Department of Defense Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) program that provides up to $6,000 of financial assistance to eligible military spouses who are pursuing a license, certification or associate degree in a portable career field and occupation.
• ThanksUSA Special Military Spouse Scholarships: The Kaplan University/ThanksUSA Scholarship awards a full tuition scholarship for an eligible military spouse for an online undergraduate degree program at Kaplan University. The Linda J. Romeo/ThanksUSA scholarship grants $4,000 to a female military spouse residing in the Washington, D.C., area attending Northern Virginia Community College.
• National Association for Uniformed Services (NAUS) Scholarships: NAUS awards eight $2,000 scholarships each year to a member of NAUS or an eligible dependent pursuing an undergraduate degree or certificate program from an accredited institution.
• Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarship Program: Sponsored by the National Military Family Association, this program grants scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,000 to spouses of active duty, retired and reserve/guard members to pursue post-secondary or graduate degrees and professional training programs.

Veterans Affairs programs

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers programs that help cover the cost of tuition not only for service members and veterans, but also for their dependents, such as:

• The GI Bill®: service members may transfer all 36 months or the portion of unused Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits to a spouse or child as long as the request is completed while serving as an active member of the military.
• The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program: education aid to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition or dependents of veterans who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. If you are a spouse, you may take a correspondence course. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.

Other financial aid 

• Federal student aid: Visit the U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid to explore different possibilities of financial aid.
• Private scholarships: You can find funds for school from private and non-profit organizations – typically need- or merit-based with a specific qualifier.

Military Spouse Preference program

• With the help of the Military Spouse Preference program, you could be eligible for certain preferences when applying for Department of Defense civilian jobs, including civil service careers overseas.
• Contact the human resources office at your duty station or visit MilitaryINSTALLATIONS to apply for the Priority Placement Program for military spouses.

Resources for transferring professional licenses

• The Department of Defense’s State Liaison Office has worked to streamline state licensing procedures to make it easier for military spouses to find a job.
• Depending on your work, state-sponsored reciprocal agreements can help reduce or eliminate the relicensing process in your new state.
• If the process turns out to be lengthy or costly, you may be eligible for unemployment compensation. Your state's employment office can offer more details.

Visit these websites to learn more about how you can further your career and gain the credentials that are instrumental in progressing in your occupational or career field.

• Obtaining occupational Licenses
• Obtaining career certifications
• Spouse Education and Employment Resource Center
• Military Spouse Career Center website

Military OneSource

Whether it’s help with child care, personal finances, emotional support during deployments, relocation information or resources needed for special circumstances, please click here to visit the Military OneSource website or call 1-800-342-9647.