Hello, my spouse is currently in the military, and I am interested in going back to school. Does anyone know about any programs that provide reduced tuition or other types of financial aid for military spouses? Any leads would be greatly appreciated!
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) does offer some financial aid programs for military spouses who want to further their education. Here are three that come to mind:
1. MyCAA Scholarship: This is a workforce development program that grants up to $4,000 in financial aid to eligible military spouses. To be eligible, your spouse must be on active duty (or be a reservist on active duty orders) in pay grades E-1 to E-5, W-1, W-2, O-1 and O-2. The program provides help to obtain an associate degree, certificates, or licensures in high-demand, portable career fields.
2. Post-9/11 GI Bill transfer: If your spouse has served for at least six years and agrees to serve an additional four years, they can transfer their unused GI Bill benefits to you. These can be used for undergraduate or graduate studies, vocational, or technical education.
3. State benefits: Depending on your state of residency, there may be additional scholarships or state-funded education benefits available to military spouses. These can vary widely and may have different criteria for eligibility such as residency requirements and planned study fields.
Remember to do your due diligence before enrolling in any educational institution or signing up for any financial aid program. Make sure the school is accredited by a recognized accrediting body and that the financial aid information is up-to-date. If possible, schedule informational interviews with potential institutions to get a better idea of program offerings and services available to military spouses.
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