Spouse benefits: Military College Reimbursement

Hello! My significant other is enlisted and I've heard that the military reimburses college tuition for spouses. Is this true? If so, what are the details? Can we both go to college at the same time and still have partial or full tuition coverage? Thanks in advance!

Yes, the military does provide education benefits to the spouses of service members. There are several programs in place, but one of the most notable is the MyCAA (My Career Advancement Account) program. This program offers up to $4,000 in financial assistance for military spouses who are pursuing license, certification, or associate degree programs.

Eligibility for MyCAA largely depends on the status of your spouse. The 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. Do note that eligibility can change if the service member gets promoted to an ineligible pay grade or is no longer on active duty.

Additionally, it's entirely possible for both of you to attend college at the same time. Your spouse may be eligible for tuition assistance through the military or for benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. If they choose to transfer these benefits to you, they must have served at least six years in the military and agree to serve four more years.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill can cover full tuition at in-state rates at public colleges, but it also provides a housing allowance and a stipend for books and supplies. However, the amount of tuition it covers at private or foreign schools is up to $25,162.14 per academic year.

These are just some of the options available and each depending largely on what branch of the military your partner is in. I'd recommend contacting a counselor with your partner's branch of service to get full details and personalized advice for your situation.