Financial Aid Options for Military Spouses

I just got engaged to my boyfriend who's in the army, and I'm planning to start college next year. I've been trying to figure out how to afford it. Does anyone know about financial aid options specifically offered for military spouses?

Absolutely, there are financial aid options available specifically for military spouses that you can tap into to fund your college education.

A common avenue is the MyCAA (Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts) program. This can provide up to $4,000 in financial assistance towards an associate’s degree, licensure, or certification at any accredited school. Note, however, that this program is available to spouses of service members on active duty in pay grades E-1 to E-5, W-1 to W-2, and O-1 to O-2.

Additionally, many institutions offer scholarships or tuition discounts for military families. For instance, the National Military Family Association (NMFA) provides spouse scholarships for military members' spouses. This program provides financial aid for a variety of academic pursuits including GED or ESL support, vocational training, undergraduate or graduate degrees, or even professional certifications.

Lastly, you may want to look into state-specific programs. Many states have programs specifically designed to aid military spouses in acquiring post-secondary education.

Remember to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as early as you can. This will give you access to federal grants and loans, and it's a key part of the financial aid process. In particular, you might qualify for the Pell Grant, which does not need to be repaid.

While this probably gives you a good starting point, always consider reaching out to a school’s financial aid office directly as they can provide information that is the most accurate and up-to-date. They may even know about resources that are specific to their institution.