Do Military Spouses Get Free College Education?

Hey there, I'm engaged to someone in the military and heard about some benefits for military spouses, one being free college. Is this legit? Would appreciate any info on this topic.

Hello! You're indeed correct that there are various educational benefits available to military spouses, depending on the specific branch of the military your fiancé belongs to. While they may not cover the full cost of college, these benefits could significantly lower the expenses.

One of the most popular programs is the My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) Scholarship. This program offers up to $4,000 of financial aid to eligible military spouses who are pursuing a license, certification, or associate degree in certain workforce-ready fields. It's limited to spouses of service members on active duty in pay grades E-1 to E-6, W-1 to W-2, and O-1 to O-3.

Another program is The Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) program, which provides education and career guidance to military spouses and is also a helpful resource.

Additionally, there are also numerous scholarships specifically designed for military spouses, and some state schools offer reduced tuition for military families. Each of these options has its own eligibility criteria, so I'd recommend looking into each to determine which might be the best fit for your personal circumstances. Finally, keep in mind that while the benefits are generous, they may not cover all educational expenses, like books and certain fees, so it might not mean "free" college, but it can substantially decrease the cost. It should also be noted, that benefits vary depending on the branch of the military your spouse is in, their status (active, reserve, etc.), and sometimes even their rank. It's really a good idea to discuss this with your spouse-to-be and probably a military benefits counselor or financial aid officer. Good luck with your educational journey!