Hey, very new to this. Is it true that the military offers to cover college tuition not just for personnel, but for their spouses as well? What are the details of this benefit and how can it be accessed?
Yes, you're correct. The U.S. military does offer education benefits to spouses of service members. Here are some programs that cover these benefits:
1. Post-9/11 GI Bill: This program allows service members to transfer unused education benefits to their spouses or dependents. These could potentially cover all resident tuition & fees for a public school, or up to $28,937.09 per year for a private or foreign school. To qualify, the military member must have at least six years of service, and agree to serve four additional years.
2. MyCAA (Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts): This is a scholarship program that can provide up to $4,000 of tuition assistance to eligible military spouses. It's primarily designed to assist spouses in obtaining an associate’s degree, occupational certificate, or licensure in high-demand, high-growth portable career fields.
To access these benefits, you'd typically need to apply through the VA or the Department of Defense's education benefits portal, depending on the program you're eligible for.
A couple of things to keep in mind:
- These programs might be affected by the service member's status (active, reserve, retired, etc.), so it's important to verify your eligibility.
- While these benefits can substantially offset the cost of a degree, they might not cover all costs associated with college, like books and living expenses.
Lastly, don't forget to consult with an educational counselor or the financial aid office at the schools you're considering to ensure you're utilizing all the resources available to you. For example, some schools might offer particular scholarships to people with military connections, which could provide assistance via a pathway other than the military itself.
Hope this overview helps, and good luck with your educational endeavors!
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