My spouse is in the military and I've heard about college benefits available to us. Could someone provide some insight into what these are and how to apply for them? Any tips or personal experiences would be super helpful as well!
The U.S Department of Defense offers several education benefits for military spouses too, as you’ve heard. These can go a long way in helping you pursue your academic and career goals.
1. The My Career Advancement Account Scholarship (MyCAA): This is a workforce development program for military spouses who are pursuing a license, certification or associate degree for an occupation that is portable. MyCAA provides a maximum education financial assistance of $4,000 over two years, which is more than enough to cover community college tuition in many states. Additionally, MyCAA offers a personal academic and career coach for each enrolled spouse. You can apply through the MyCAA website.
2. Post-9/11 GI Bill Transferred Benefits: If your spouse has served in the military for at least six years, and they agree to serve for at least four more years, they can transfer their benefits to you. This can cover up to 36 months of education benefits, which includes up to the full cost of in-state tuition and fees for public colleges, and a cap for private or foreign colleges. You can apply for these transferred benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
One last tip, National Military Family Association offers military spouse scholarships and can act as a resource for more in-depth information and assistance navigating these benefits. When applying for these benefits, make sure you have the pertinent military documentation at hand to ensure the process goes smoothly.
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