If you or your military-connected family member are pursuing a degree or could use funds for certifications, this list is for you.
National Military Family Association – Year Round – Spouses
The organization supports military family members in various ways, and one of them is through scholarships for military spouses. If you are a spouse to a post-9/11 service member and hold a valid military ID, you are eligible to apply to their scholarship program. The program pays for degrees, professional licensures, supervised clinical hours, continuing education courses, and business expenses. Applications are taken year-round with quarterly awards.
Pat Tillman Foundation – Opens February 2023 – Spouses
The Foundation has a scholarship program open to spouses of active-duty service members, veterans, and surviving spouses. The $10,000 scholarship covers academic expenses, including tuition, fees, and books. Applications are open annually in the winter months, with the next application opening in February 2023.
Fisher House Foundation – Opens September 2022- Spouses and Children
The Fisher House Foundation offers multiple scholarships. The Heroes’ Legacy Scholarship is a college scholarship for children of service members who became seriously injured or died in the line of duty since 9/11. Military Spouses can apply for and receive funds for degrees, certifications, licensures, clinical hours, expenses, and more. The Scholarships for Military Children is a program through the Defense Commissary Agency providing $2,000 for college expenses.
Thanks USA – Opens March 15, 2023 – Spouses and Children
The ThanksUSA program offers scholarships to military spouses and children for use in their first-time undergraduate degree at an accredited 2 or 4-year university or trade school.
Hope For Warriors – Fall and Spring Application – Spouses and Children
The program offers several scholarships. There are scholarships for those pursuing graduate work, associates, bachelors or Master of Social Work. There is also a scholarship for Gold Star Spouses.
MyCAA Scholarship – Spouses of Service Members E1-E5, W1-W2, O1-O2
My CAA – or My Career Advancement- is a scholarship specifically for spouses to provide assistance for licenses, certifications, national tests, or associate degrees to pursue their desired careers.
Navy Marine Corps Relief Society – Annually – Spouses and Children of Sailors and Marines
The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Education Program offers grants for children and spouses of active duty, retired or deceased Sailors and Marines. The grants are for undergraduate or master’s degrees at accredited 2 or 4- year post-secondary, technical or vocational institutions.
Air Force Aid Society – Annually – Spouses and Children of Air Force Service Members
The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) offers ten merit scholarships a year to dependent children and spouses of retired and active-duty Airmen. To apply for an AFAS merit scholarship, completion of the Arnold Education Grant application is required.
Army Emergency Relief – Annually – Spouses and Children of the Army Service Members
There are two scholarship programs from the Army Emergency Relief. The Mrs. Patty Shinseki Spouse Scholarship Program is an annual scholarship for Army spouses pursuing undergraduate degrees or professional certifications. For Army children pursuing an undergraduate degree can apply for the Maj. Gen. James Ursano Scholarship Program.
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) – Annually – Spouses of Coast Guardsmen
CGMA clients can apply for the programs if they are enrolled in college in pursuit of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, vocational program or seeking a correspondence course.
Spouse Clubs
Don’t forget to check the spouse clubs on your current or recent military bases. There are often scholarship programs for spouses and/or children of service members. Check with the local club for eligibility requirements and deadlines.
