Military Spouse Scholarships & Grants
Scholarships and Grants for Military Spouses
If you are a military spouse considering returning to school, you might be wondering how you will pay for everything. College isn’t cheap, but there are options such as MyCAA or having your spouse transfer their GI Bill to you. Beyond that, there are other options out there, including scholarships for military personnel, veterans, and their families.
Here is a list of military spouse scholarships that you can apply for. See if you qualify, double-check when the applications are due, and make a plan for your career by going back to school.
National Military Family Association Military Spouse Scholarships
Average amount awarded: $1,000
The Details: Must be a military spouse with a valid ID.
This award may be used towards:
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- degrees
- certifications
- licensure (such as clinical supervision for mental health licensure)
- CEUs
- business expenses
The award may not be used for books and materials or student loans. You can reapply every year.
Who’s Eligible:
Spouses married to:
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- Active duty service member
- Reserve
- National Guard
- Medically Retired
- Wounded
- Fallen service member
- Dual service
Divorced applicants may also apply if they qualify for the 20/20/20 benefit.
Get more information and to apply for this scholarship
>> For more scholarships for military, veterans, spouses and dependents, please use the CollegeRecon Scholarship Finder.
Pat Tillman Foundation
Up to $10,000
The Details: This award is for spouses of active duty service members or veteran service members, including surviving spouses. You will need to be enrolled full-time in a degree program. This award is also only for those that are pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree.
The award is good for tuition and fees, living expenses, and books. This scholarship went under review in 2024 and there are program changes to be announced by the foundation at a later date, check the official site for the most current requirements, terms, and conditions.
Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship.
Veterans United Foundation Scholarship
10 one-time scholarships totaling up to $50,000
The Details: This scholarship is offered to those who meet the following requirements:
- The applicant is a veteran with a 100% service-connected disability OR;
- The applicant is a surviving spouse of a servicemember with a service-related death OR;
- The applicant is a surviving child of a servicemember with a service-related death
- Must be degree-seeking
- Comfortable with sharing personal stories with Veterans United Foundation
Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship.
Hope for the Warriors Military Spouse Scholarship
Number of scholarships awarded and amounts vary
The Details: This scholarship is to identify, recognize and reward Post 9/11 spouses/caregivers for what they do in the face of adversity. The money awarded is to help aid in continuing education at a reputable, accredited university, college or trade school. The scholarship can be used for tuition, books, and supplies.
Here are the different scholarships:
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- Honorary Scholarship – Awarded to those seeking a graduate or postgraduate degree.
- Restoring Family Scholarship – Awarded to Spouses of the Fallen
- New Beginnings Scholarship – Awarded to those pursuing entry-level classes or training.
- Restoring Hope Scholarship – Awarded to an MSW Student
- Restoring Self Scholarship – Awarded to those seeking any undergraduate degree.
Visit the website for more information and to apply for this scholarship.
Folds of Honor
Up to $5,000
The Details: You must be enrolled or planning to be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program leading to a Bachelor’s degree.
However, you can also enroll in an accredited technical or trade school program that results in a certificate or diploma, as long as you don’t already have a Bachelor’s degree. If you are enrolled part-time, the award will be half what it would have been if you were going full-time.
The award is based on “unmet need,” which is the portion of your tuition, fees, on-campus dormitory housing, on-campus meal plans, and required textbooks for the term that are not covered by other sources.
Who’s Eligible:
The Higher Education Scholarship is for spouses of service members who have:
-
-
- been KIA
- lost a limb
- died while on active duty
- been classified as having a service-connected evaluation, rated by the VA
-
Visit the website for more information and to apply for this scholarship.
The Patriot Education Fund
Number of scholarships awarded and amounts vary
The Details: This fund is for a spouse of an E1-E5, Post-9/11 military member. You must be eligible to receive Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, be accepted into a program, and demonstrate financial need. It can be used for certificate, trade, and vocational programs, undergraduate 4-year degrees, bachelor’s degrees, or other adequate accredited occupational programs of the 4-year level and under.
Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: FAQ link (non-secure), application link (secure)
The following scholarships are all branch-specific so make sure you are aware of that before you apply.
Patty Shinseki Spouse Scholarship Program
Each year is different, between $500-$2,200
The Details: This Army-specific award is for spouses of active-duty or retired soldiers as well as widows(ers) to help them pursue their first undergraduate degree. It is based on financial need and is for full—or part-time students attending an accredited college.
You may not receive the full amount for the award if you receive aid from the GI Bill or other sources.
Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship.
Navy Wives Club of America-NMCCG Enlisted Dependent Spouse Scholarship
Up to 2 scholarships awarded; Up to $1,500 each
The Details: The Navy Wives Club of America Scholarship is to help further your college education, vocational business, or other training.
Who’s Eligible: This scholarship is for:
Enlisted Spouses of Active Duty and Retired Service members of the following branches:
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- Navy
- Marine Corps
- Coast Guard
It is also open to widows and widowers of these branch service members.
Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship.
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
Interest-free loans and scholarships between $500 and $3,000
The Details: This award is for undergraduate or post-secondary education at an accredited 2 or 4-year educational, technical, or vocational institution. You also need to be enrolled or planning to be enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited school. The award must be used for tuition, books, fees, and room and board.
Who’s Eligible: Active-duty Marines, sailors, and spouses may apply. Children of active duty, retired, or qualifying deceased Sailors and Marines may also apply if they are under the age of 23 by September 30 of the current academic year. Surviving children of Sailors and Marines who passed on active duty or after retirement may also qualify.
Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship.
AFA Mike & Gail Donley Spouse Scholarship program
Two scholarships, $2,500 each
The Details: This scholarship is to help Air Force and Space Force spouses pursue their Associate’s, Bachelor’s, graduate or post-graduate degrees.
Who’s Eligible: Active-duty spouses in the Air Force, Space Force, Air National Guard, and Air Force civilian employese.
Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship.
Delta Dental Grants
Five grants, $2,000 each
The Details: This is a grant from Delta Dental which provides scholarships and grants to military spouses, for the advancement of oral health and wellness. Eligible applicants must be pursuing a wide range of programs such as dentistry, nursing, home healthcare aid, or caregiver training. They are partnered with the Air Force Association (AFA.)
Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship.
Coast Guard Foundation Lisa Cook Reed Spouse Education Scholarship
Scholarship amount: $500
The Details: This scholarship is for enlisted Coast Guard spouses in ranks, E3-E6 who will be studying at a nationally or regionally accredited educational institution. The award will cover books, school fees, transportation, as well as childcare costs.
Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: Coast Guard Foundation
FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship
Scholarship amount: The costs of the AFC training and testing.
The Details: This program helps military spouses earn the AFC (Accredited Financial Counselor) certification.
The FINRA fellowship covers the costs to finish. Only full-time undergrad or graduate university students are eligible for this fellowship.
Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: AFCPE – FINRA Foundation
Important Note
Please note some of these application deadlines may have passed when you read about them. Make sure to be aware of when the application window opens back up for the next year.
Scholarships for the Military Community
- CollegeRecon Scholarship Finder
- College Scholarships for Military and Veterans List
- Scholarships for Gold Star Families
- Scholarships for Military Dependent Children
- Psychology Scholarships List
About the author
Julie Provost is a freelance writer, and blogger. She lives in Tennessee with her National Guard husband and three boys.