Military Family Scholarships and Tuition Assistance Programs
As the son, daughter, or spouse of a member of the military you may feel that a college degree is not obtainable because of constant relocation. However, a college education is within your reach. Your installation education center should be your first source for information about higher education programs and opportunities. The services offered by these centers are not limited to just service members; they are also a resource for the military family. children and spouses of military members are not eligible to participate in education benefits such as the Montgomery GI Bill or Military Tuition Assistance programs, but there are a number of scholarships, tuition assistance and discounts available through universities, foundations, organizations, and private sources that are well worth knowing about.
Besides military sources of assistance you may be eligible for scholarships, grants, work-study or other need-based financial aid, so you should begin the process of establishing your eligibility by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid which is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts
The Military Spouse Career Advancement Initiative is a partnership between the Department of Defense and the Department of Labor that is designed to advance military spouses into portable careers by providing them with education and training in high-growth, high-demand occupations.
The initiative targets military spouses with a GED, high-school diploma, or some post-secondary education, and who are married to active-duty service members. Military spouses in need of renewing credentials (for example, nursing and teaching certificates) upon relocating are also eligible.
Career Advancement Accounts are flexible education funding accounts to pay for expenses directly related to post-secondary education and training, including tuition, fees, books, equipment, and credentialing and licensing fees. Accounts may be up to $3,000 for one year, and may be renewed for one additional year, for a total two-year account amount of up to $6,000 per spouse.
The Military Spouse Career Advancement Initiative is designed to advance military spouses into portable careers by providing them with education and training in high-growth, high-demand occupations in:
- Health Services
- Education
- Business Management
- Human Resources
- Financial Services
- Homeland Security
View the full list of target industries and occupations supported under the Career Advancement Account Demonstration. Military spouses are encouraged to visit their military installation Voluntary Education Centers or Family Support Centers for more information and career support. For more information online, see Participating States and Installations
Tuition Discounts For Military Family Members
Planning to attend a local college or university? Many schools have provisions that allow active duty military family members to pay in-state tuition rates, which are less expensive than out-of-state rates. The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) provides an online list of tuition policies broken down by state at: http://www.dantes.doded.mil/dantes_Web/library/docs/distribution/2418.pdf
Servicemembers` Opportunity Colleges
A network of more than 1800 colleges and universities whose policies and programs are designed especially to help meet the higher education needs of service members (and their families). Servicemembers and their family members in isolated locations can take courses through such "distance learning" methods as the Internet, correspondence, computer, or video. More information about the SOC program is available online at http://www.soc.aascu.org/Default.html
Servicemembers and their adult family members in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard attending SOC member schools benefit from the following policies member schools adhere to:
- Limiting the amount of course work students must take at a single college to no more than 25% of degree requirements
- Designing transfer practices to minimize loss of credit and avoid duplication of course work
- Awarding credit for military experience
- Awarding credit for tests such as CLEP, ECE, and DSST national testing programs
Dept. of Veteran`s Affairs Survivors` and Dependents` Educational Assistance Program
The Dependents` Educational Assistance (DEA) program provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. To discover if you`re eligible and learn how to apply please read more about the VA Survivors` and Dependents` Educational Assistance Program (DEA)
Scholarships For Military Dependants
Many military associations and military spouse clubs offer scholarship programs for military family members. Your installation`s education center and the financial aid officer at the school you wish to attend will be glad to provide you with for more information on financial assistance programs that may be available to you. In addition some online schools offer tuition discounts and special scholarships for military students and their family members, so be sure to ask your admissions representative.
Non-School Specific Scholarships
National Military Families Association Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarship Program: Scholarships are awarded to spouses of Uniformed Services members (active duty, National Guard and Reserve, retirees, and survivors) to obtain professional certification or to attend post secondary or graduate school. Scholarships are normally in the amount of $1,000.00. The scholarship funds may be used to assist with tuition, fees, books, and school room and board, so long as the funds are paid directly to the educational institution involved. Applicants must apply each year. Details and application are available online at http://www.nmfa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=spouseeducation
Fleet Reserve Association Scholarship Program: A variety of annual FRA scholarships are awarded to FRA members (USN, USMC, and USCG), their spouses, children, and grandchildren. For example, the Robert W. Nolan Emeritus Scholarship, the Glenn F. Glezen Scholarship, and the Joseph R. Baranski Emeritus Scholarship offer three separate awards of $5,000 each to applicants enrolled in courses of study at the post-graduate (masters/doctorate) level.
Military Specific Loans
Everyone needs extra money now and then. No matter where you are stationed worldwide, Military Loans are available in amounts from $500 to $10,000 to help active service members around the world receive the supplemental funding they need, when they need it.
Additional Resources For Scholarships For Military Dependents
1. Avoid Scholarship Scams: Unfortunately, in their efforts to pay the bills, many students and their families are falling prey to scholarship scams. The Federal Trade Commission cautions students and provides advise on how to discover and avoid scholarship fraud at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/scholarship/index.html
2. Need a Lift?: The American Legion`s 152 page booklet, updated annually, is a complete financial aid reference guide for veterans, veterans` dependents and members of The American Legion family. It costs $3.95 but is well worth the small fee and provides information about:
- Federal and state veterans` benefits
- Possible scholarships for veterans and their dependents
- Possible scholarships for Legionnaires and their families
- "Tips" on how to apply for admission to college and assistance with the financial aid process
- A comprehensive listing of colleges and universities, to include: basic information on tuition, room and board cost, and admission and financial aid deadlines
- Information on careers and a bibliography of resource materials
To receive a copy of "Need a Lift?" call 1-888-453-4466
3. Scholarship Search (US Dept of Education): Free online scholarship search is available from the U.S. Department of Education at http://studentaid2.ed.gov/getmoney/scholarship/
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CollegeAmerica
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