Table of Contents
- Why Scholarships are Best
- Tips to Find and Get the Best Scholarships
- Tip #1: Where to Look
- Tip #2: Where Else to Look (Hint: Outside the Military)
- Tip #3: Dedicate Time to Scholarship Applications
- Tip #4: Customize, Customize, Customize
- Tip #5: Apply for Federal Aid as Well
- Top Scholarships for Military Spouses
- Military Service Education Assistance Programs
- Army Emergency Relief
- Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Education Assistance Program
- Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Supplemental Education Grants
- Scholarship Programs
- Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Scholarship
- Delta Dental Grants
- Mike and Gail Donley Spouse Scholarships
- Association of the United States Army
- Hope for the Warriors
- National Military Family Association
- Navy Wives Clubs of America
- Pat Tillman Foundation
- My Career Advancement Account Scholarship Program (MyCAA)
- FRA Education Foundation
- Thanks USA Military Spouse Scholarship
- Wings Over America
- Veterans Affairs Programs
- GI Bill
- The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program
- The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship
- Maximizing Your Education Benefits
The military lifestyle comes with unique sacrifices, especially for military spouses. There is no proper way to extend appreciation to military families; however, the military and other organizations offer scholarships to military spouses who decide to further or change their careers through higher education.
This article covers tips and tricks to find and get the best scholarships for military spouses.
Why Scholarships are Best
Unlike loans, scholarships never need to be paid back. If you do not apply for a scholarship you are eligible for, you are potentially leaving free money on the table.
Tips to Find and Get the Best Scholarships
With thousands of scholarships available throughout the year, it can be overwhelming to figure out where to look and how to decide what scholarships to apply to.
Here are five tips to help you get started on your search for scholarship money.
Tip #1: Where to Look
If you have never looked for scholarship money, it can be surprising to learn just how many businesses, associations and organizations provide funds for those seeking higher education.
Some of the best-known examples are the Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise, the Dell Scholars Program and the Burger King Scholars Program.
There are so many others. Military support organizations and nonprofit organizations host a variety of small- to medium-sized scholarships.
Some of the best places to search for scholarship opportunities include:
- Nonprofit foundations
- Military support organizations
- Scholarship websites
Tip #2: Where Else to Look (Hint: Outside the Military)
Some surprising sources of scholarship money can be very near you. Local businesses may offer small- to medium-sized scholarships, available to local students.
Whether they are military-specific or not, these smaller scholarships are typically under-applied for and would welcome additional, qualified applicants.
Tip #3: Dedicate Time to Scholarship Applications
Focus on your scholarship applications. Replace lower-priority tasks with time for this. Revise and work on your scholarship application.
Applying for scholarships could be one of the most lucrative part-time jobs you ever have. Find some time in your busy schedule to prioritize scholarship applications.
Tip #4: Customize, Customize, Customize
Every business, association and organization offering a scholarship has its requirements and set of qualities for those applying.
So, it is important to:
- Research the organization offering the scholarship
- Review how your resume or essay can best fit the qualities they are looking for
- Customize your essay to highlight the personal attributes that make you the best fit for the award.
Tip #5: Apply for Federal Aid as Well
Do not forget about FAFSA grants, loans and scholarships. Spend 30 minutes filling out the form to apply for financial aid for college or graduate school, and you may receive more than you expect!
Top Scholarships for Military Spouses
Here are some of the best scholarships and programs available to military spouses pursuing higher education. These include:
- Military Service Education Assistance programs
- Scholarship programs
- Department of Veterans Affairs programs
Military Service Education Assistance Programs
Army Emergency Relief
Where: Mrs. Patty Shinseki Spouse Scholarship Program
Who: Spouses pursuing an undergraduate degree or professional certification
What: Assistance for up to four academic years of full-time study or eight academic years of part-time study
When: Continuous
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Education Assistance Program
Where: Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
Who: Spouse or dependent child of an active-duty, retired or deceased sailor or Marine; must be enrolled or planning to enroll as a full-time student pursuing an undergraduate or master’s degree at a post-secondary, technical or vocational institute
What: Interest-free loans and grants averaging from $500 to $3,000 per academic year
When: Application available Jan. 1; must be postmarked no later than June 1
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Supplemental Education Grants
Where: Coast Guard Mutual Assistance
Who: Coast Guard spouses and dependent children
What: Loan fee reimbursement, Supplemental Education Grants (SEG), education loan program
When: Continuous
Scholarship Programs
Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Scholarship
Where: Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Scholarship
Who: Current and former members of the Air Force and Space Force, including active-duty, Air National Guard and Reservists, as well as their spouses, children and dependents
What: One scholarship is available
When: Application cycle runs from Dec. 1 until April 30
Delta Dental Grants
Where: Delta Dental Grants
Who: Eligible for military spouses, dependents and transitioning service members for the advancement of oral health and wellness
What: Five scholarships available at a value of $2,000 each
When: Application cycle runs from Dec. 1 until April 30
Mike and Gail Donley Spouse Scholarships
Where: Mike and Gail Donley Spouse Scholarships
Who: Eligible for Air Force or Space Force spouses to pursue higher education
What: Two scholarships available at a value of $2,500
When: Application cycle runs from Dec. 1 until April 30
Association of the United States Army
Where: Association of the United States Army
Who: Scholarships are available for active-duty, retired, veterans, National Guard and Reserve service members, as well as their spouses and children
What: Multiple scholarships are available for varying amounts
When: Applications open in February
Hope for the Warriors
Where: Restoring Family Scholarship
Who: Awarded to spouses of the fallen
What: Award amounts vary
When: Aug. 1 to Sept. 30 for spring 2022
National Military Family Association
Where: National Military Family Association
Who: Spouses who are eligible to hold a valid military ID
What: Scholarships for a variety of educational and employment pursuits average $1,000
When: Open all-year round
Navy Wives Clubs of America
Where: NMCCG Enlisted Dependent Spouse Scholarship
Who: Dependent spouse or widow or widower of active-duty or retired Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard service member to continue their college education, vocational business or other training
What: Two scholarships awarded annually
When: Applications due by March 31
Pat Tillman Foundation
Where: Pat Tillman Foundation
Who: Current spouses of a veteran or active service members, as well as surviving spouses
What: Annual funding for academic expenses
When: Applications are open Feb. 1-Feb. 28
My Career Advancement Account Scholarship Program (MyCAA)
Where: My Career Advancement Account Scholarship Program
Who: Spouses of service members on active duty in pay grades E-1 to E-5, O-1 to O-2, W-1 to W-2
What: Tuition benefit up to $4,000
When: Continuous
Learn more about the MyCAA Program in our overview.
FRA Education Foundation
Where: Fleet Reserve Association
Who: Individuals associated with the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard through their service or that of their spouse, parent, grandparent or great-grandparent
What: Tuition benefit of up to $5,000, applicable for trade school, community or four-year college and graduate degrees
When: Applications available Sept. 1-April 15
Thanks USA Military Spouse Scholarship
Where: ThanksUSA
Who: Military spouses and college-age children obtaining their first undergraduate degree
What: Scholarships are $3,000
When: Application cycle runs from March 1 until April 15
Wings Over America
Where: Wings Over America Foundation
Who: Navy Aviation spouse or dependent child
What: Award amounts vary
When: Prequalification deadline is Feb. 1
Veterans Affairs Programs
GI Bill
Where: Department of Veterans Affairs, GI Bill Benefits
Who: Qualified dependents
What: The DoD can approve the Transfer of Entitlement (TOE) of up to 36 months of Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefit to a service member’s spouse or dependent child; benefits may be applied for tuition, housing, and books and supplies
When: Continuous
Learn more about the GI Bill program in our GI Bill Guide.
The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program
Where: VA, Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program
Who: Spouse or child of service member who has died, been captured, gone missing or been disabled in service
What: Monthly payment to help cover the cost of college or graduate degree programs, career-training certificate courses, educational and career counseling, apprenticeships or on-the-job training
When: Continuous
The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship
Where: VA, Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship
Who: Spouse or children of an active-duty service member who died in the line of duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001
What: Up to 36 months of benefits, including money for tuition, housing, books and supplies
When: Continual basis
Maximizing Your Education Benefits
Whether you choose to use your military benefits or pay for your higher education with scholarships and savings, it’s important to understand your education benefits.
About Post Author
About the comments on this site:
These responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.