Military Spouse Tuition Assistance
Military Spouse Tuition Assistance Programs
Nov 5th
As the spouse of a service member in the Armed Forces, you may be eligible to receive tuition assistance (TA) to help you pursue your educational and career goals.
Military Spouse Scholarships
While spouses don’t receive the same assistance as their active duty service members, funds received by utilizing available programs are helpful in defraying the costs associated with obtaining a college degree. When applying for assistance, make sure you know the qualification requirements, specific deadlines, and paperwork required.
In an effort to help military spouses and family members with their educational objectives, the Department of Defense offers these new programs:
Post-9/11 GI Bill Transferability – A special provision offers education benefits for spouses and children of service members and veterans. Those who have served a minimum of six years in the armed forces, and agree to serve an additional four, can now transfer unused GI Bill entitlement to their spouse. After 10 years of service, they can transfer the benefit to their spouse or children. Click here to learn more about Post 9-11 GI Bill Transferability.
Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts – This military spouse career advancement account program provides assistance to spouses looking to acquire the skills and credentials needed to begin or further their careers. It can be used to pay up to $3,000 in fees per year for training and education, and can be renewed for an additional year.
In addition to the above, The Department of Veteran Affairs has introduced the Spouse and Dependents’ Assistance (DEA) program which offers assistance for education and training to those who qualify.
Scholarships and Grants – In the process of searching for assistance to help finance their schooling, many spouses and their families overlook the many military and veteran-related scholarships and grants that are out there. Many go unclaimed due to the following misconceptions:
- Some believe that VA education benefits eliminate the need for any additional funds available though grants and scholarships. The reality is that while Survivor and Dependent Education Assistance offers great benefits, it may not cover of all the costs. There are hundreds of scholarships and grants designed especially for education-related expenses.
- If you think that scholarships are just too hard to get and applying requires too much effort, think again. The fact is that applications vary to a large degree, with some requiring nothing more than completing a short application.
- Perhaps you are under the impression that scholarships are too difficult to find. There is a fabulous online resource created to specifically to help service members find scholarships. Visit the “Scholarship Finder” at Military.com.
For questions and eligibility regarding tuition Assistance (TA), get in touch with your local relief agency. Visit Education4military.com to learn more about Military Spouse Career Advancement Account.
Marine Tuition Assistance’s Eligibility Requirements
Oct 14th
The Marines offer several programs designed to support the educational goals of its members.
The Marine Corps provides up to 100 percent of the cost to service members who elect to pursue off-duty or voluntary education. This would include all active-duty and Reserve enlisted Marines on continuous active duty attending accredited colleges and universities.
Officers who are on active-duty are eligible to receive Marine Corps Tuition Assistance if they commit to staying on active duty for two continuous years after completing the course funded by the program.
Those who meet eligibility requirements and elect to enroll in courses toward a degree may not exceed $4,500 in tuition-assistance funds per fiscal year. Funding is limited to $250 per semester hour or the equivalent in undergraduate, graduate, vocational and technical classes, independent study and distance-learning programs.
Marine Corps College Fund – Marines who demonstrate a potential for academic excellence and are listed on eligible Marines’ contracts during their initial enlistment into the service may be eligible to receive tuition assistance through this fund.
Montgomery G.I. Bill - At the time of their initial enlistment, service members can sign up for the Montgomery G.I. Bill. During the first year, a monthly deduction of $100 is taken out of the participant’s paycheck. After that, a marine can use the Bill at any time for up to 10 years following the time of honorable discharge. Those on active duty can use is in conjunction with tuition assistance.
Article Source: http://www.education4military.com/reblog/2009/10/marine-tuition-assistances-eligibility.html