Hey there, my partner is planning on joining the military after high school and I was wondering if there were any benefits available for military spouses when it comes to college. Does anyone here have a clue about this?
Absolutely, military spouse education benefits and support exist. For instance, the My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) scholarship is a program that provides up to $4,000 in financial assistance to eligible military spouses. The fund can be used to pursue licenses, certifications, or associate degrees in certain fields at approved schools.
There’s also the Post-9/11 GI Bill. While it's typically used by veterans, it can be transferred to dependents like spouses under certain conditions. It covers a significant portion of educational costs, potentially even all of tuition and fees for in-state public schools, and up to about $28,937.09 per year for private and foreign schools. There are some stipulations about service requirements and transfer procedures, so it would be beneficial to look into that.
Lastly, a number of scholarships and grants are offered specifically for military spouses by different organizations and foundations. The National Military Family Association offers scholarships to military spouses to assist with career development, among others. Each scholarship or grant will have its own unique eligibility criteria, so doing ample research as to which fits best for your situation is essential.
Keep in mind, that these are just a few of the existing possibilities. There's a multitude of resources out there for military spouses seeking higher education, so be sure to take advantage of them!
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