For spouses and children of servicemembers, the path to higher education can come with unique challenges, from frequent relocations and deployments to the emotional toll of military life. Such disruptions often make it harder to maintain continuous enrollment or access financial aid. 

Scholarships play a powerful role in helping military families overcome these barriers. Discover the importance of scholarships for military spouses and children and take a look at some of the top scholarship opportunities, below.  

The Importance of Scholarships for Military Spouses & Children

For military spouses, earning a degree or certification can significantly improve job stability and family financial security. Enrollment in higher education often offers a sense of purpose and independence outside the everyday demands of military life. For the children of servicemembers, scholarships help with tuition costs while honoring the sacrifices made by their families in service to the country.

Many military families earn too much for need-based aid but still struggle with education expenses due to high living costs or the loss of dual incomes. Specialized military scholarships bridge this gap by offering financial support tailored to the realities of military life.

Top Scholarships for Military Spouses

Military spouses often pursue higher education to create secondary income for their families. While their servicemembers are deployed, they might find it helpful to earn a certification or degree so that they can secure a higher-paying or remote job with transferable skills. Let’s look at some of the best scholarships for military spouses.

MyCAA (My Career Advancement Account Scholarship)

The MyCAA Scholarship is a workforce development program from the Defense Department Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program (SECO). It includes comprehensive support tailored to military spouses so they can meet their academic and professional goals.

• Eligibility: Spouses of active-duty servicemembers and National Guard and Reserve servicemembers on Title 10 orders in pay grades E-1 through E-9, W-1 through W-3, and O-1 through O-3. Spouses must have completed high school or obtained a GED.
• Benefits: Up to $4,000 for education and training.
• How to apply: Register online or call 800-342-9647.

National Military Family Association (NMFA) Spouse Scholarships

NMFA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the needs of military families.

• Eligibility:
  • You are eligible if you are the spouse of a/n:
    • Active-duty servicemember
    • Retiree (including medically retired)
    • 100% disabled Veteran
    • Guardsman
    • Reservist
    • Fallen servicemember
  • You are also eligible if you are a 20/20/20 spouse.
• Benefits: The NMFA Scholarship helps pay for everything from a GED to a PhD, including licenses, certifications, supervised clinical hours, business expenses, and continuing education.
• How to apply: You can access the application online. There is a year-round rolling application period, so you can submit your application at any time.

Pat Tillman Foundation Scholarship

The Pat Tillman Foundation empowers active-duty servicemembers, Veterans, and military spouses through academic scholarships. Note that this scholarship is highly competitive, but recipients get generous funding.

• Eligibility: Current spouses of Veteran or active servicemembers, including surviving spouses. Must be a full-time student pursuing a four-year undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree.
• Benefits: Funding assistance for academic expenses, including tuition, books, and living expenses.
• How to apply: Applications are only accepted during certain times of the year. You can subscribe to the newsletter to receive alerts for the next application period.

Hope for the Warriors Spouse/Caregiver Scholarship

This scholarship benefits spouses and caregivers of post-9/11 servicemembers. There are multiple categories and award amounts you can apply for.

• Eligibility: Eligibility requires a spouse or caregiver to demonstrate that their post-9/11 servicemember or Veteran sustained a combat-related injury or holds a 100% permanent and total VA disability rating, including Individual Unemployability. The Hope For The Warriors Scholarship Program defines a combat-related injury as one caused by armed conflict, hazardous duty, or simulated war.
• Benefits: $2,500 in various categories, such as bachelor’s degrees, entry-level classes, or a master’s or doctorate in certain fields.
• How to apply: Start your scholarship application by first connecting with HOPE for the Warriors services.

Top Scholarships for Military Children

Being a military servicemember opens up many wonderful opportunities for your children to receive academic scholarships. This support allows them to pursue their dreams after high school. Here are some of the top scholarships for military children.

Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Scholarship Fund

The MOAA offers multiple types of scholarships,  interest-free loans, and grants to children of military families with financial need.

• Eligibility: Students must be 24 years old or younger, the child of an officer, active-duty, or retired enlisted servicemember, must be currently enrolled as a full-time four-year, two-year, or trade school student, and have a cumulative high school or college GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Benefits: Multiple types of interest-free loans, grants, and scholarships.
• How to apply: Sign up for a SurveyMonkey account and apply online.

Fisher House Foundation Scholarships for Military Children

The Fisher House Foundation offers homes for military families around the world.

• Eligibility: Unmarried children of servicemembers under the age of 23 who possess a valid Uniformed Services Identification (USID) card. Servicemember parent must be active-duty, Reserve/Guard, deceased, or retired from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, or Coast Guard. High school applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Benefits: $2,000
• How to apply: Check the full application requirements and deadlines online.

Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (MCSF)

The MCSF is the country’s oldest and largest provider of need-based scholarships to military children.

• Eligibility:
  • Must be the child or step-child of a/an:
    • Active-duty, Reserve, or Veteran U.S. Marine
    • A Marine killed while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps
    • Active duty, Reserve, or Veteran U.S. Navy Corpsman, Navy Chaplain, or Religious Program Specialist who is or was attached to a U.S. Marine Corps unit or who was killed while serving with a U.S. Marine Corps unit. 
  • Applicants must also have a minimum 2.0 GPA and be able to demonstrate financial need through a family-adjusted gross income of $123,000 or less.
• Benefits: $30,000 over four years or $40,000 over four years, depending on military parent’s service.
• How to apply: Apply online for either the Undergraduate & Associate Degree Scholarship or the Career & Technical Scholarship.

Tips for Applying to Scholarships as a Military Spouse or Child

Applying for scholarships can feel overwhelming for anyone, but in the midst of military life, it can be especially challenging. However, with strategy and preparation, you can help your chances of submitting  a high-quality application.

Start Early and Keep Track of Deadlines

Scholarship deadlines vary. Some programs operate on a rolling (year-round) basis, while others follow strict annual deadlines. Start your search as early as you can, mark deadlines on your calendar, and revisit scholarship websites regularly so you don't miss necessary information.

Prepare a Strong Personal Statement

Most applications include an essay portion. This is a chance to tell your story, explain your goals, and show how the scholarship will impact your life. Take the time to create a personal and compelling narrative that’s unique to you, including your family situation and goals for the future.

Gather Letters of Recommendation

Recommendations from your teachers, supervisors, or community leaders can add credibility and depth to your application. Seek out potential recommenders early and give them plenty of time to write and submit their letters.

Highlight Military Connection and Personal Resilience

The scholarships we’ve listed are designed to support those who have faced the demands of military life. Emphasize your experience, adaptability, and determination in being part of a military family to help the application committee understand why you deserve this scholarship.

Explore Local and Branch-Specific Scholarships

Don’t limit yourself to national programs. Local organizations, commissaries, state Veterans offices, and branch-specific groups often offer scholarships tailored to their community or service background. These can be less competitive and highly relevant to your experience.

We Support Military Families

Armed Forces Mutual isn’t only for servicemembers and Veterans. Military families make sacrifices, too. Get the learning resources you need, designed for military spouses and children, on topics ranging from education opportunities, financial readiness, and creating new communities after a PCS.

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