Military Spouse and Family Educational Assistance Programs

Military Spouse and Family Educational Assistance Programs


The Armed Forces and their associated relief organizations offer Military Spouse and Dependents many educational Assistance programs. These programs differ from service to service.

The following is a breakdown of each particular service's Education Assistance programs:
Army Family
Air Force Family
Navy Family
Coast Guard Family
Marines Family
Spouse and Family Scholarships

ARMY

Army Family Education Programs:

The Army offers the following Education Programs for its Spouse and Family members.

SOCAD is the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) degree program for the Army. SOCAD consists of colleges that offer associate and bachelor's degree programs on or accessible to Army installations worldwide. SOCAD colleges form networks in which each college accepts credits from all the others.

SOCAD guarantees that you and your adult family members can continue toward completion of your degrees even though the Army may transfer you several times. There are also degrees available by distance learning that require no classroom residency.

  • Click here for more details.

    Army Emergency Relief (AER)
    Spouse Education Assistance Program (EAP): If you are assigned in Europe, Korea, Japan or Okinawa, Army Emergency Relief offers your spouse a grant to assist with the costs associated with pursuing his or her education, up to a maximum of $350 per term.
  • Click here to learn more and apply.

    Air Force

    Air Force Family Education Programs:
    The Air Force offers the following Education Programs for its Spouse and Family members.

    Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) colleges and universities are dedicated to helping you and your family get college degrees. You can take courses in your off-duty hours at or near military installations in the United States, and overseas.

  • Click here for more details.

    Air Force Aid Society (AFAS):
    General George S. Brown, Spouse Tuition Assistance Program (STAP)
    If you are a spouse of an Active Duty airmen or officer stationed overseas, and you will be attending high school or college programs, then you are eligible for the Spouse Tuition Assistance Program (STAP). STAP provides partial tuition assistance at a rate of 50% of course tuition with a maximum of $1,500 per academic year.
  • Click here for more details on how to apply.

    General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program :
    P provides $1500 grants to selected sons and daughters of active duty servicemembers.
  • Click here to learn how to apply.
  • Form .

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    Navy

    Navy Family Education Programs:
    The Navy offers the following education Programs for its Spouse and Family members.

    SOCNAV is the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) degree program for the NAVY. SOCNAV consists of colleges that offer associate and bachelor's degree programs on or accessible to NAVY installations worldwide. SOCNAV colleges form networks in which each college accepts credits from all the others.

    SOCNAV guarantees that you and your adult family members can continue toward completion of your degrees even though the Navy may transfer you several times. There are also degrees available by distance learning that require no classroom residency.
  • Click here for more details.

    The Navy Maine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS):

    Spouse Tuition Aid Program (STAP):
    The Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) offers STAP to your spouse if you are on active duty and stationed in an overseas (OCONUS) location. Your spouse may be a full or part-time student studying toward a vocational certificate, or an undergraduate or graduate degree.

    Amounts granted:
    • Undergraduate level maximum of $300 @ semester and $1500 @ year.
    • Graduate level maximum of $350 @ semester and $1750 @ year.
    To request an application form and information about deadlines, contact one of the following NMCRS offices: Guam, Guantanamo Bay, London, Naples, Okinawa, Roosevelt Roads, Rota, Sigonella, or Yokosuk
  • Click here for more information.

    VADM E.P. Travers Scholarship and Loan Program:

    To apply, you must be the spouse of an active duty member or the dependent child of an active or retired member of the Navy or Marine Corps. You must also be a full time undergraduate student at an accredited college or university.
  • 1000 grants are awarded each academic year at $2000 each.
  • Applicants are also evaluated for an interest-free student loan of up to $3000.
  • The loan repayment begins within 30 days of award and must be repaid by allotment within 24 months.
  • Application deadline is 1 March of each year.
  • Late applications will not be considered for the scholarship; however they will be evaluated for a loan.
  • Click here for more details.

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    Coast Guard


    Coast Guard Family Education Programs:
    The Coast Guard offers the following education Programs for its Spouse and Family members.

    SOCCOAST is the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) degree program for the Coast Guard.
    • SOCCOAST consists of colleges that offer associate and bachelor's degree programs on or accessible to Navy and Marine installations worldwide.
    • SOCCOAST colleges form networks in which each college accepts credits from all the others.
    SOCCOAST guarantees that you and your adult family members can continue toward completion of your degrees even though the Marine Corps may transfer you several times. There are also degrees available by distance learning that require no classroom residency.
  • Click here for further information.

    Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) offers a Supplemental Education Grant (SEG) of up to $150 per year. You can use this grant for ANY family member's education expenses. However it does not cover Tuition expenses. This grant can also be used to pay for ASVAB, CLEP, SAT, and other study guides. CGMA also offers several education related loans.
  • Click here to fill out the application form.

    Additional Education Assistance: The Coast Guard also offers dependent spouses and Federal Coast Guard employees the opportunity to take CLEP, DANTES, and other tests at no cost.
  • Click here for more information.

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    Marine Corps

    Marine Corps Family Education Programs:
    The Marines offers the following education Programs for its Spouse and Family members.

    SOCMAR is the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) degree program for the Marines.
    • SOCMAR consists of colleges that offer associate and bachelor's degree programs on or accessible to Navy and Marine installations worldwide.
    • SOCMAR colleges form networks in which each college accepts credits from all the others.
    SOCMAR guarantees that you and your adult family members can continue toward completion of your degrees even though the Marine Corps may transfer you several times. There are also degrees available by distance learning that require no classroom residency.
  • Click here for more details.

    The Navy Maine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS):

    The Admiral Mike Boorda Seaman-to-Admiral Educational Assistance Program offers grants and/or interest-free loans of up to $2,000 a year to eligible active duty servicemembers accepted to the following programs:
    • Enlisted Commissioning Program
    • Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program
    • Medical Enlisted Commissioning Program
    The program is also open to Midshipmen who have been released from active duty for immediate assignment to the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Program. Application is made through the Commanding Officer of the NROTC Unit, or by contacting NMCRS Headquarters.
  • Click here to information.
  • Form (180k/PDF).

    Spouse Tuition Aid Program (STAP):
    The Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) offers STAP to your spouse if you are an active duty servicemember stationed in an overseas (OCONUS) location. Your spouse may be a full or part-time student studying toward a vocational certificate or an undergraduate or graduate degree.

    Amounts granted:
  • Undergraduate level maximum of $300 @ semester and $1500 @ year.
  • Graduate level maximum of $350 @ semester and $1750 @ year.

    To request an application form and information about deadlines, contact one of the following NMCRS offices: Guam, Guantanamo Bay, London, Naples, Okinawa, Roosevelt Roads, Rota, Sigonella, or Yokosuk
  • Click here for more information.

    VADM EP Travers Scholarship and Loan Program:
    To apply, you must be the spouse of an active duty member, or the dependent child of an active or retired member of the Navy or Marine Corps. You must be a full time undergraduate student at an accredited college or university.
    • 1000 grants are awarded each academic year at $2000 each.
    • Applicants are also evaluated for an interest-free student loan of up to $3000.
    • The loan repayment begins within 30 days of award and must be repaid by allotment within 24 months.
    • Application deadline is 1 March of each year.
    • Late applications will not be considered for the scholarship; however they will be evaluated for a loan.
  • Click here for more details.


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