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Scholarships Supported by the Military
The most substantial source of scholarships for military spouses are the armed forces themselves. Each branch of the military provides a variety of financial aid programs to support the educational goals of enlisted personnel and their families. The following examples of scholarships for military spouses are directly supported by the United States military.
- The U.S. Army sponsors the Spouse Education Assistance Program. This need-based scholarship provides financial assistance to the spouses of Army soldiers who are pursuing an undergraduate degree. To be eligible, applicants must be the spouse of either a soldier on active duty, a retired soldier, or of a soldier who died while in service. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited college or university, and must maintain a 2.0 GPA. The scholarship is renewable for up to four years.
- The U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society sponsors the Gold Star Scholarship Program for the dependent children and spouses of Navy and Marine personnel who were killed in the line of duty. Awards are determined by a combination of financial need and academic merit, and range from $500 to $2500 per academic year.
- The Joseph A. McAlinden Divers Scholarship is available to the dependent spouses of active duty Navy divers. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited oceanography program at a participating college or university. Awards are determined by financial need and academic merit, and range from $500 to $3000.
- The Coast Guard Foundation supports the USAA Enlisted Coast Guard Reservist Family Scholarshipfor the families of enlisted and reservist Coast Guard personnel. Six $1000 scholarships are awarded annually to the dependent children and spouses of eligible Coast Guard personnel.
State Supported Scholarships for Military Spouses
Every state in the country has a dedicated Department of Higher Education, through which the state administers a variety of financial aid programs for its resident students. Many states also have a Department of Veteran’s Affairs, which provide financial assistance to military personnel and their families. These programs will vary widely from state to state, and students are encouraged to research the programs that may be available within their state.
The following examples should highlight the types of scholarships for military spouses that are available at the state level.
- The Alabama Department Veteran’s Affairs supports the G. I. Dependents’ Scholarship Program for the spouses and children of military veterans. To be eligible, applicants must be Alabama residents, and must be the spouse or child of an honorably discharged veteran, or of a veteran who was disabled or killed in the service of their country.
- Connecticut sponsors their Veteran’s Tuition Waiver for the surviving spouses of military service personnel who were killed in the line of duty after September 11, 2001. While not strictly a scholarship, this program provides much needed financial assistance to military widows and widowers who are struggling to complete their college education following the death of their spouse. Students must apply through the financial aid offices of their college of attendance, or through Connecticut’s Department of Veteran’s Affairs.
- The Maryland Higher Education Commission sponsors the Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflict Scholarship. This program offers scholarships to Afghanistan and Iraq veterans, their dependent children and spouses, who are enrolled in degree-seeking undergraduate programs at a Maryland state college or university. Maximum scholarship awards may not exceed 50% of the applicant’s full tuition costs.
