Hello there. My partner is in the military, and I've been considering going back to school. Does anyone know if there are military college benefits extending to spouses as well? Any info or personal experience would be greatly appreciated!
Yes, indeed! The U.S. military does offer several education benefits for spouses of active duty and reserve personnel. A great program to start off with is the MyCAA (My Career Advancement Account) program, which provides up to $4,000 in scholarships for military spouses pursuing associate's degrees, professional licenses, or certifications. The key thing here is that your spouse must rank E5 or below, W1-W2, or O1-O2 for you to qualify.
Another potential assistance program is the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Service members can actually transfer all or some of their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to their spouse or dependent children. It's not automatic though — they must meet certain service requirements, including serving at least six years and agreeing to serve four more. The benefits under this bill can be applied to college tuition, housing, books, and more.
Finally, many branches have Spouse Tuition Assistance Programs (STAP), which can provide interest-free loans or grants for spouses pursuing their undergraduate degree. Eligibility requirements vary, so it'd be best to check which ones you can apply for.
In addition to these, many private organizations also offer scholarships specifically for military spouses, so there could be lots of support available to assist with your education costs. Good luck on your educational journey!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.