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.
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.
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.
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.
NMFA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the needs of military families.
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.
This scholarship benefits spouses and caregivers of post-9/11 servicemembers. There are multiple categories and award amounts you can apply for.
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.
The MOAA offers multiple types of scholarships, interest-free loans, and grants to children of military families with financial need.
The Fisher House Foundation offers homes for military families around the world.
The MCSF is the country’s oldest and largest provider of need-based scholarships to military children.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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