Military life often means adjusting your own goals to support your family—especially when it comes to education. Frequent moves, deployments, and changing schedules can make it harder to finish a degree or build a career. But there are programs that may help. Scholarships and grants in 2025 offer financial support and flexibility tailored to military families.
Federal Education Programs
My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) Scholarship
The MyCAA Scholarship provides up to $4,000 in financial assistance to eligible military spouses pursuing licenses, certifications, or associate degrees in portable career fields. This benefit is designed to support spouses in gaining employment in high-demand occupations that can move with them during relocations.
Eligibility:
- Spouses of active-duty service members in pay grades E-1 to E-9, W-1 to W-3, and O-1 to O-3.
- Spouses of National Guard and reserve members in these same pay grades, if the service member is on Title 10 orders.
- Applicants must have completed high school or obtained a GED.
Application Process:
- Create a MySECO account.
- Develop an Education and Training Plan with an academic advisor.
- Submit the plan for approval before enrolling in courses.
Post-9/11 GI Bill Transfer
Service members may transfer unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to their spouses, providing financial support for education-related expenses such as tuition, housing, and books.
Eligibility:
- The service member must have completed at least six years of service and agree to serve an additional four years.
- The transfer request must be submitted and approved while the service member is on active duty.
- The spouse must be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).
Application Process:
- The service member initiates the transfer request through the milConnect portal.
- Once approved, the spouse can apply to use the transferred benefits through the VA’s application process.
Scholarships from Military-Focused Organizations
National Military Family Association (NMFA) Spouse Scholarships
The NMFA offers scholarships to military spouses pursuing various educational and professional goals, including degrees, certifications, licensure, and business expenses. Awards typically range from $500 to $2,500.
Eligibility:
- Spouses of service members from the seven Uniformed Services (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and Commissioned Corps of the USPHS and NOAA)
- Must possess a valid military ID
- Includes 20/20/20 spouses (those who were married to the service member for at least 20 years, the service member served for at least 20 years, and the marriage and service overlapped for at least 20 years)
Mrs. Patty Shinseki Spouse Scholarship Program
Administered by Army Emergency Relief (AER), this need-based scholarship assists spouses of Army Soldiers in obtaining their first undergraduate degree. Award amounts vary based on financial need and other factors.
Eligibility:
- Spouses of active-duty or retired Army Soldiers
- Surviving spouses of Soldiers who died on active duty or in a retired status
- Must be pursuing their first undergraduate degree
- Must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA
Hope For The Warriors Spouse/Caregiver Scholarships
Hope For The Warriors offers scholarships to spouses and caregivers of post-9/11 veterans pursuing higher education. Scholarships range from $1,800 to $2,500 and are applied toward education at accredited U.S. institutions.
Eligibility:
- Spouses or caregivers of post-9/11 veterans
- Must be enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited U.S. college, university, or trade school
Whisper Military Spouse Scholarship (National University)
National University awards 15 Whisper Military Spouse Scholarships annually, providing $10,000 in tuition benefits and a $2,500 stipend for the first term. This scholarship supports military spouses pursuing bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees.
Eligibility:
- Spouses or widows of active-duty, reservist, veteran, or National Guard service members
- Must meet National University’s admissions requirements
- Must demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA
College and University Scholarships
UMGC–NMFA Scholarship for Military Spouses
The University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), in partnership with the National Military Family Association (NMFA), offers scholarships of up to $1,500 to military spouses pursuing their first undergraduate degree. This scholarship covers up to two courses (6 credits).
Eligibility:
- Spouses of active-duty, Reserve, or National Guard servicemembers
- Must be a registered member of the NMFA
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Currently enrolled or newly admitted to UMGC with no more than 30 credits earned
- Pursuing a first undergraduate degree
- Enrolled in at least 6 credits during the spring term
- Not receiving 100% tuition assistance or reimbursement from an employer
Application Process:
- Applications are accepted annually from October 1 to December 31 for the following spring term.
- Applicants must submit proof of military status and official transcripts by January 9.
Western Governors University (WGU) Military Spouse Scholarship
Western Governors University (WGU) offers a Military Spouse Scholarship valued at up to $4,000 ($1,000 per term for up to four terms) to spouses of military personnel pursuing an online degree.
Eligibility:
- Spouses of active-duty military personnel, veterans, Guard, and Reservists
- New students or returning graduates pursuing an eligible bachelor’s or master’s degree program
- Must apply for admission to WGU
- Scholarship application must be submitted 90 days before and up to 30 days after the program start date
Application Process:
- Apply for admission to WGU.
- Once admitted, access the scholarship application through the WGU Scholarship Portal.
- Complete the scholarship application, including any required essays or documentation.
Where to Find More Opportunities
Beyond the scholarships listed above, several organizations and platforms offer additional resources for military spouses seeking educational funding:
Military Spouse Clubs and Associations
Many local military spouse clubs and associations offer scholarships to members of their communities. For example, the Military Spouses of Newport (MSON) club provides merit-based scholarships to spouses of active-duty military members stationed in Rhode Island. Eligibility criteria and application deadlines vary by organization, so it’s advisable to check with local clubs for specific information.
Online Scholarship Databases
Several online platforms compile and update lists of scholarships available to military spouses:
- Scholarships.com offers a comprehensive list of military scholarships, including those for spouses.
- MilitaryFamilies.com provides an annual list of scholarships for military-connected students, including spouses.
- Scholarship Institute features a curated list of top scholarships for military spouses.
These resources can help you discover additional funding opportunities tailored to your unique circumstances.
Final Thoughts
Pursuing education while supporting a military family isn’t easy—but it’s possible. With the right resources, you can find scholarships and grants that ease the financial burden and make room for your goals. Take time to explore your options, gather the right materials, and apply early when you can. Whether you’re starting fresh or finishing a degree, there are programs out there that may help you move forward.
