Getting an education is a difficult task for many military spouses. According to a recent study conducted by the Department of Defense, 43% of military spouses expressed an interest in going to school; however, many claimed that the high cost of college and financial challenges were some of the key factors preventing them from doing so. According to the Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning, more than one-third of military families struggle to pay their bills monthly due to a variety of factors affecting financial management, including regular relocation, a high unemployment rate among military spouses, and a challenging transition into civilian life.
Federal Financial Aid Assistance Programs
Several federally sponsored services exist to assist military spouses and children in paying for college. The services are intended to help dependents pay for tuition, books, fees, and/or living expenses.
Military Spouse Careers Advancement Accounts
The MyCAA Scholarship program is a career development program that provides qualifying military spouses with up to $4,000 in tuition assistance for degree programs, certificates, certifications, or qualifications that contribute to jobs in high-demand, high-growth occupations. Spouses of active duty service members in pay grades E-1 to E-5, W-1 to W-2, and O-1 to O-2 are eligible for the program. Although their military sponsor is on Title 10 military orders, recipients must be able to complete their coursework.
Post-9/11 GI Bill
This is a VA-run initiative that provides up to 36 months of education instruction to service members and their dependents. Eligible servicemen must be currently on active duty, have served on active duty for at least 90 days since September 10, 2001, or have been honorably discharged or discharged due to a service-related disability. For programs such as undergraduate and graduate programs, occupational training, licensing and credential reimbursement, and on-the-job training, all unused benefits may be passed to family members.
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program
Survivors and dependents of veterans who are permanently and completely disabled as a result of a service-related disability or who died while serving in the military are eligible for up to 45 months of education and training benefits. Undergraduate and graduate degree programs, credential programs, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training are all eligible for financial aid. Children of veterans must be between the ages of 18 and 26 to be eligible for this benefit.
In-State Tuition
Active military personnel and their dependents who use the GI Bill can attend any out-of-state public college or university and pay in-state tuition. The annual tuition income is currently just over $20,000. Military families would be responsible for any extra costs associated with private or public colleges.
Hunt Heroes Foundation Scholarship
The Hunt Heroes Foundation Scholarship is available to high school seniors and current undergraduate students who are active-duty military personnel or dependents of military personnel. You must show community engagement, leadership, and participation in school and community events, as well as job experience, a declaration of priorities and ambitions, uncommon personal or family circumstances, an outside assessment, and two (300-word) essays relating to the following questions: "How has serving in the military or becoming a member of a military family influenced your life?" "What would you like to improve in your culture, and how would you go about doing it?" and "What would you like to change in your community, and how would you go about doing it?"
Family-Focused Scholarship
Students at Columbia Southern University and Waldorf University will apply for the Family Focused Scholarship. To be eligible for this award, you must be a member of the Air Force Sergeants Association in the family member (FM) category.
Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 637 Scholarships
Second-year students at Gadsden State Community College may apply for the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 637 Scholarship. To be eligible for this prize, you must have a minimum GPA of 2.5. Students with veterans in their families are given priority.
Gilman-McCain Scholarship
The Gilman-McCain Scholarship is available to undergraduate students who are dependent children of active duty service members in one of the following branches at the time of application: Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard, plus Reserve Forces, Air National Guard, and Army National Guard activated (currently on active duty). To be eligible for the program, you must be in the process of applying to or being accepted for a study abroad or internship program of at least two weeks for community college students and three weeks for students from four-year institutions.Multi-country/area projects are eligible, and there are no minimum or maximum requirements for the length of time spent in a single country or the number of countries in a program. Before award disbursement, proof of program acceptance is needed.
Conclusion
Veterans and their dependents may be eligible for several different college scholarships. These may be used to complement other sources of funding, such as the GI Bill, Pell Grants, or other scholarships, making college more affordable.
Some honors are only available to veterans, and others are only available to family members of veterans.
