College Scholarships for Military Spouses

Military spouses often face unique challenges when pursuing their education. Relocations, deployments, and other demands make getting a college education seem impossible.

But you don't have to take on everything alone. Many college scholarships are available for military spouses. Such scholarships can help them achieve their education goals with ease.

In this article, we'll explore available scholarships for military spouses. We'll also review eligibility requirements, application methods, and award amounts. These scholarships can further your education and enhance your career opportunities.

Are you ready to get started on your degree despite the rigorous demands of your military lifestyle? Read this military guide to learn more about the scholarships available for military spouses and how to apply.

Military Education Benefits for Spouses

Military spouses face unique challenges when pursuing higher education. Some benefits they can take advantage of come directly from the military. Here are some education assistance programs they offer for military spouses:

CGMA Supplemental Education Grant Program

The Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) program supplements other Coast Guard tuition assistance programs. It offers financial aid to eligible spouses. The grant covers a range of degrees and certificates in traditional and trade fields.

The CGMA grant covers up to 50% of tuition and other education-related expenses. This grand caps out at $2,500 per school year.

NMCRS Education Assistance Program

The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) also offers education help to eligible spouses. It grants aid to those pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees. There are no field or major restrictions for this grant.

The NMCRS education program is an interest-free Navy and Marine Corps student loan. It covers up to $3,000 per year.

The loan amount caps out at $6,000 over two years. You can use it with other financial aid programs to cover the remaining costs.

Mrs. Patty Shinseki Spouse Scholarship Program

This program is available to spouses of active-duty, retired, or deceased service members. It covers degree and certification programs in STEM fields.

This spouse scholarship covers up to $2,500 per academic year. It caps out at $7,500.

Post 9-11 GI Bill

Moreover, military spouses can their service member's GI Bill benefits. But they don't get their own GI Bill benefits. So, if the service member uses the benefits for themselves, this is not an option for the spouse.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill allows service members to transfer unused education benefits to their spouses or children. Spouses can use these benefits to pursue undergraduate or graduate degrees. They can also pursue vocational training and other educational opportunities.

Military Sponsored Spouse Scholarships

While military benefits can help spouses pay for education, you can also use individual scholarships. There are two types of college scholarships we'll cover in this article. The first are those sponsored by the military.

Unlike the education aid programs, these scholarships aren't tied to member benefits. Here are some of the military-sponsored spouse scholarships available:

Air Force Association (AFA) Spouse Scholarship

The AFA Spouse Scholarship is available to spouses of active-duty, reserve, and Air National Guard members. This scholarship is open to spouses pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees. It can cover up to $2,500 per year.

U.S. Army Spouse Education Assistance Program

This education aid program provides financial aid to spouses of active-duty and retired soldiers. Eligible degrees include both undergraduate and graduate programs. The program can cover up to $4,000 per academic year.

U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society's Gold Star Scholarship Program

This Scholarship Program is available to the spouses and children of deceased service members. The scholarship can cover up to $2,000 per school year for undergraduate studies. For graduate studies, that cap increases to $3,000 per school year.

Joseph A. McAlinden Divers Scholarship

This Scholarship is available to spouses of active-duty, retired, or deceased Navy or Coast Guard divers. The scholarship is open to spouses pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees. It covers up to $2,000 per academic year.

Cost Guard Foundation's USAA Enlisted Coast Guard Reservist Family Scholarship

Spouses and dependents of enlisted Coast Guard reservists can use this scholarship. It covers up to $1,000 per school year for undergraduate studies. But that cap increases to $1,500 for graduate programs.

These scholarships offer unique opportunities for military spouses to pursue their education. But the eligibility requirements of each scholarship differ. So, take time to research the ones for which you may be eligible.

Remember that you may qualify for more than one of these scholarships. Using many scholarships bolsters your financial aid as you earn a degree. These scholarships and military benefits could pay for your whole tuition.

External Military Spouse Scholarships

The second kind of scholarship is external. External entities like nonprofits, charities, or the state sponsor these scholarships. Here are some of the external service spouse scholarships available:

The Council of College and Military Educators (CCME) Military Spouse Scholarship Program

The CCME Military Spouse Scholarship Program offers financial aid to spouses of active-duty, National Guard, and Reserve service members. The scholarship covers up to $1,000 per academic year for undergraduate or graduate studies.

Folds of Honor Scholarships

Folds of Honor offers scholarships to military dependents. The scholarship helps the spouses and dependents of service members who have died or become disabled serving their country.

It can cover up to $5,000 per school year for undergraduate studies. But that cap increases to $7,500 for graduate degree programs.

Hope for the Warriors Spouse/Caregiver Scholarships

Eligibility for this scholarship requires you are/were a spouse or caregiver for a servicemember. The servicemember you care for must have been injured or killed during their service.

Once awarded, the scholarship can cover up to $5,000 per academic year. This figure applies to undergraduate and graduate programs.

G.I. Dependents' Scholarship Program

The G.I. Dependents' Scholarship Program provides financial aid to dependents of service members who:

• -Died in action
• -Went missing in action
• -Became 100% disabled due to their service

The scholarship can cover up to 100% of tuition and fees for undergraduate or graduate studies.

Veteran's Tuition Waiver

The Veteran's tuition waiver is available to the spouses and dependents of servicemembers. Another eligibility requirement is the member died or became disabled because of their service.

The waiver provides full tuition and fee exemption for undergraduate or graduate studies. But this scholarship only applies to tuition at a public institution in the state where the veteran lived. So, depending on your school, it may not apply to you.

Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflict Scholarship

This scholarship is available to the spouses and dependents of service members who served in Afghanistan or Iraq. Their service must have happened after September 11, 2001.

The scholarship covers up to $5,000 per school year. This figure applies to both undergraduate and graduate programs.

Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarship

This scholarship is available to spouses of active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and veterans. The scholarship can cover up to $2,500 for undergraduate or graduate studies per school year.

ThanksUSA Scholarship

ThanksUSA offers scholarships to spouses and dependents of active-duty and retired service members. The scholarship can cover up to $3,000 per academic year for undergraduate or graduate studies.

Applying for Military Spouse College Scholarships

To apply for military spouse scholarships, start by researching the scholarships that are available to you. List the scholarships you qualify for. Then, note their eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and required documents.

Next, gather all necessary documentation. This includes transcripts, essays, and letters of recommendation.

Follow the application instructions carefully and submit all required materials by the deadline. The more thorough you are, the higher your chances of achieving a scholarship.

Remember that most scholarships require applicants to write personal essays. These essays aren't graded, but they factor into your consideration for the scholarship. Some things you can expect to write about for your essays are:

• -Personal statements about your goals
• -A time when your experience as a military spouse challenged you
• -How being a military spouse enriched your life
• -A description of your personal motivations
• -How military life changed your personal outlook
•  

These essays can be moving, witty, personal, or subversive. The important thing is that they're well-written and expressive. Take the time to craft a compelling piece showcasing your strengths and commitment to your education.

Finally, follow up with the scholarship organization after you submit your application. Check your email for updates and respond to extra information or documentation requests. It would feel bad to lose a scholarship because you forgot to respond to an email.

In conclusion, military spouses face unique challenges in pursuing higher education. But, with the support of military education benefits and scholarships, overcoming those challenges is possible.

Still not sure how to get started applying for scholarships? Check out this FAQ article for answers to common questions about scholarship applications.

Get Ahead With Honor Society

If you're a military spouse seeking college scholarships, it's time to join Honor Society. Our member services can help connect you to these resources and reap these scholarship benefits. Plus, you'll have access to a community of like-minded individuals and other unique benefits.

Don't wait. Join Honor Society today and take the first step towards a brighter future.