Military Spouse Scholarships & Grants
Scholarships and Grants for Military Spouses
If you are a military spouse and are thinking about going back 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 spouse transfer their GI Bill to you. But beyond that, there are other options out there including scholarships for military spouses and 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.
List of Military Spouse Scholarships
Here is a list of some of possible scholarship options specifically for military spouses.
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
- clinical supervision for mental health licensure
- CEUs
- business expenses
- and more
The award may not be used for books and materials, or student loans. You can reapply every year.
Who’s Eligible:
Spouses married to the following:
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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.
The Deadline: Scholarship applications are open year-round.
Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link
>> For more scholarships for military, veterans, spouses and dependents, please use the CollegeRecon Scholarship Finder.
Pat Tillman Foundation
Average of $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.
You will also want to check to see if your school is a Pat Tillman Foundation University Partner. If so, they guarantee one Tillman Scholar per year and help facilitate the election process.
The award is good for tuition and fees, living expenses, and books.
The Deadline: The next application window is open until February 1st.
Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link
Veterans United Foundation Scholarship
10 one-time scholarships totaling up to $50,000
The Details: This scholarship is for surviving spouses from a service-related death. You will need to be enrolled or plan to be enrolled in an associate’s, bachelor’s, graduate, post-graduate, or doctoral degree program. You will also need to be comfortable sharing part of your story.
The Deadline: Feb and Oct
Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link
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.
The Deadline: April
Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link
Folds of Honor
Up to $5,000
The Details: You will need to be enrolled or planning to be enrolled in an undergraduate program leading to a Bachelor’s degree. Additionally, you will have to go to an accredited college or university. However, you can also be enrolled in an accredited technical or trade school program which 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
-
If your spouse is active duty, they will need to have received a Purple Heart or had a loss of limb.
The Deadline: Opens Feb 1st, 2024 and ends March 31st
Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link
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.
The Deadline: The application period is currently closed, but ends in May of each year.
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!
Mrs. Patty Shinseki Spouse Scholarship Program
Each year is different, between $500-$2,200
The Details: This award is for spouses of active duty or retired soldiers as well as widows(ers) to help them pursue their first undergraduate degree. The award is based on financial need, for full or part-time students attending an accredited college.
Keep in mind that you might not receive the full amount for the award if you receive aid from the GI Bill or other sources.
The Deadline: You can apply year-round and there is no deadline date. There are however different application windows.
Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link
The 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:
-
- Navy
- Marine Corps
- Coast Guard
It is also open to widows and widowers of these branch service members.
The Deadline: Please send in your application by March 31st.
Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
Interest-free loans and grants 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 needs to be used for tuition, books, fees, and room and board.
Who’s Eligible: Spouses of an active duty or retired sailor or marine.
The Deadline: May 15th, opens March 1st
Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link
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: Your spouse must be active duty Air Force or Space Force, in the Air National Guard, or be an Air Force civilian employee.
The Deadline: Applications are due in April.
Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link
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.)
The Deadline: Applications are due in April.
Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link
The 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.
The Deadline: March
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 provides military spouses the opportunity to earn the AFC® (Accredited Financial Counselor®) certification—while providing financial counseling and education to the military community. The fellowship covers the costs associated with completing the AFC® training and testing. Created in 2006, this opportunity is made possible through generous funding and support by FINRA Foundation, and in partnership with the National Military Family Association (NMFA).
Only full-time undergrad or graduate university students are eligible for this fellowship.
The Deadline: The application window will reopen in March.
Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: AFCPE – FINRA Foundation
Your Local College
Number of scholarships awarded and amounts vary
The Details: Make sure to check into your own college or university to see what they offer. They could have military spouse-specific scholarships or even general ones you can apply for.
Your Spouse’s Club
Number of scholarships awarded and amounts vary
The Details: Don’t forget about the spouse’s club at your duty station. They might offer a scholarship you can apply for too.
Important Note
Please note some of these application deadlines will 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.