Can military spouses go to college for free?

Military spouses have many options for financing their education, which could help them attend college for free. Military service members and veterans can transfer unused Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits to a spouse or child if they meet specific service requirements. The GI Bill helps pay for tuition and housing and includes a textbook stipend for up to 36 months. Other programs can help military spouses pursue or complete college. Opportunities include MyCAA, which offers $4,000 over two years. Each of the military branches offers spouse assistance programs as well. These programs may provide need-based scholarships, grants, or low-interest loans.

Can military spouses fill out the FAFSA?

Military spouses absolutely can and should fill out the FAFSA. There is no age limit to filling out the FAFSA, and almost everyone who applies is eligible for some type of financial aid. If you're planning to attend a college, community college, or vocational school, take time to submit the FAFSA. This is the first step in applying and being eligible for federal, state, and institutional aid. Many grants and scholarships consider your FAFSA information when determining your eligibility. Completing the FAFSA is the first step in making college more financially accessible.

What states give in-state tuition to military dependents?

All 50 states provide in-state tuition to military dependents. The Choice Act of 2014 limited how long nonresident military dependents are eligible for in-state tuition to three years; however, 22 states and Washington, D.C., passed their own laws to eliminate this cap. Other states have different resident-rate regulations in place, and some leave it up to schools to decide or have certain stipulations.

What is the Yellow Ribbon Program?

The Yellow Ribbon Program offers additional financial aid to cover costs not covered by the GI Bill. The Yellow Ribbon Program can help pay for tuition and fees at private schools, foreign schools, or public schools if you're a nonresident. To benefit from this program, you must apply for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Your school must also participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Military Dependent Scholarships and Grants

Updated on October 29, 2024

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Are you a military spouse or dependent hoping to attend college? These military dependent scholarships can help you get the education you want — and deserve.

In 2022, the Department of Defense reported over 1.5 million children of military service members and nearly 920,000 military spouses.

If your parent or spouse served in the military, you may be eligible for college financial assistance through military dependent scholarships and military spouse scholarships.

Military dependents often face unique challenges when attending college, such as frequent moves and having to request transcripts from multiple high schools.

Fortunately, the following scholarships for military dependents can ease some of that burden.

Military Dependent Scholarships

Military dependents are the spouses and children of military service members. The following is a list of scholarships for military dependents — both children and spouses.

Specialized financial aid is an important way to show support to military dependents.

Some financial aid, such as the GI Bill®, is available for tuition in general, whereas some are slated for specific programs.

Be sure to check with your school’s financial aid office to learn what resources are available to you.

American Legion Legacy Scholarship

Eligibility: This scholarship is available to children of post-9/11 veterans who died in service, as well as to children of post-9/11 veterans with a 50% or higher disability rating. Recipients may apply for the scholarship up to six times. Applicants must be high school seniors or recent graduates accepted to an accredited college or university.

Application Deadline: April 2025

Award Amount: $5,000-$20,000

AMVETS Children/Grandchildren Scholarship

Eligibility: This military dependent scholarship is open to high school seniors whose parents or grandparents are U.S. veterans, active-duty service members, or in the National Guard or Reserves. You must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need. You must also submit an essay, a resume detailing your community involvement, and financial documentation.

Application Deadline: April 2025

Award Amount: $4,000

Army Scholarship Foundation

Eligibility: Children or spouses of people who currently serve or previously served on active duty can apply. Children of former U.S. Army members who received an honorable discharge or medical discharge or who were killed while serving in the U.S. Army are also eligible. The scholarship requires a minimum 2.0 GPA. In addition, you must be younger than 24 by the application deadline and must not already have a bachelor’s degree.

Application Deadline: April 2025

Award Amount: $1,000

Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Scholarships

Eligibility: Descendants of women soldiers or retired women soldiers may apply. Scholarship support varies depending on whether you’re enrolling in a community college, certificate program, bachelor’s program, or graduate program. You can use this scholarship for any education expense. You must have a minimum 2.5 GPA to apply.

Application Deadline: January 2025

Award Amount: $2,500-$5,000

Dolphin Scholarship Foundation

Eligibility: This foundation offers ongoing scholarships to the children or spouses of members or former members of the submarine force or support staff. The scholarship supports vocational and trade studies and undergraduate degree programs. Applicants must be unmarried and under the age of 24.

Application Deadline: March 2025

Award Amount: $1,500-$4,000

Folds of Honor Foundation

Eligibility: Spouses and dependents of service members killed, wounded, or disabled due to their service may apply. Funding helps pay for any unmet financial need, such as fees or tuition for your first bachelor’s degree. Recipients can reapply each year for up to four years. You need a minimum 2.0 GPA to apply.

Application Deadline: March 15, 2025

Award Amount: Up to $5,000

Samsung American Legion Scholarship

Eligibility: Children and descendants of veterans who served on active duty during a war may apply for this scholarship. You must also have been selected to attend an American Legion Boys State or American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program. The award may be used toward tuition, room and board, books, and other fees. Winners are selected based on academic record and school and community involvement.

Application Deadline: Varies

Award Amount: $1,250-$10,000

Fisher House Scholarship for Military Children

Eligibility: Children with a Department of Defense ID card whose parents are serving in or retired from the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, or Coast Guard can apply. High school applicants need a 3.0 GPA or higher, while college applicants must have a 2.5 GPA or higher. You can renew the scholarship for up to four years.

Application Deadline: February 12, 2025

Award Amount: $2,000

Military Spouse Scholarships

Military spouses include the husband, wife, or partner of a member of any branch of the U.S. armed services.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau, 89% of military spouses have some college education — but only 30% have a four-year degree.

The following military spouse scholarships can ease the barrier to higher education.

Allied Van Lines Military Scholarship

Eligibility: This award supports military family members seeking a career in logistics or supply chain management. The application includes a brief essay. Allied Van Lines awards two scholarships annually.

Application Deadline: December 15, 2024

Award Amount: $1,000

Army Aviation Association of America Scholarship

Eligibility: Spouses, children, grandchildren, and unmarried citizens of Army Aviation Association of America members or deceased members may apply. The scholarship criteria include academic performance, an essay, and a reference.

Application Deadline: December 15, 2024

Award Amount: $1,000-$4,000

Army Nurse Corps Association Scholarship

Eligibility: This scholarship supports spouses of personnel who currently serve or previously served in the U.S. Army through active service, the Army Reserve, or the Army National Guard. You must be currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate nursing program. You are ineligible if you get any educational funding from the U.S. Army, such as through GI Bill benefits.

Application Deadline: Spring 2025

Award Amount: $3,000

MyCAA Military Spouse Scholarship

Eligibility: Spouses of active duty, reserves, or National Guard service personnel in specified pay grades who are on Title 10 military orders may apply. In addition to tuition assistance, the program offers career coaching to help you develop an education and training plan.

Application Deadline: Varies

Award Amount: Up to $4,000

National Military Family Association Spouse Scholarships

Eligibility: With valid military or uniformed services ID, post-9/11 military spouses or 20/20/20 spouses may apply. Scholarships cover earning a degree, continuing education courses, and supervised clinical hours.

Application Deadline: Open year-round

Award Amount: $500-$2,500

Wings Over America Scholarship

Eligibility: Spouses of active-duty or retired Navy aviation personnel may apply. You must be seeking your first degree at an accredited college or technical school.

Application Deadline: March 1, 2025

Award Amount: $5,000

Grants for Military Dependents and Families

In addition to military dependent scholarships, there are grants available to military spouses and dependents. Grants differ from scholarships in that they are typically awarded based on financial need.

Like scholarships, grants are free money that doesn’t have to be repaid.

Many grants are awarded by state and federal governments. Some grants may target certain populations and demographics — including military dependents.

Coast Guard Supplemental Education Grant (SEG)

Eligibility: The SEG program supports Coast Guard military dependents enrolled in college or approved vocational and technical training. The grant can help pay for books, supplies, or equipment but cannot be used for tuition. Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The program was temporarily paused from June 1, 2024, to December 1, 2024, so the Coast Guard could better allocate resources during hurricane season.

Application Deadline: Varies

Award Amount: $500

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

Eligibility: This federal grant is available to students whose parent or guardian died as a result of military service after 9/11 and who were under the age of 24 at the time of their parent or guardian’s death. This grant supports students who wouldn’t qualify for a Pell Grant due to their expected family contribution. You must complete the FAFSA to apply and fill it out each year to renew.

Application Deadline: June 30, 2025 (FAFSA deadline)

Award Amount: $7,395 (same as Pell Grant)

Military Officers Association of America Grants

Eligibility: Applicants must be children of active duty, Reserve, National Guard, or retired enlisted military personnel. You must have a high school 3.0 GPA or higher and not be older than 24. In addition, you must not already have a degree.

Application Deadline: March 1, 2025

Award Amount: $500

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Education Assistance Program

Eligibility: Financial assistance includes interest-free loans, scholarships, and grants for dependents of active-duty or retired sailors or marines. You must enroll as a full-time student and be registered in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System. You must have a 2.0 GPA or higher, demonstrate financial need, and be under the age of 23.

Application Deadline: May 2025

Award Amount: $500-$3,000

Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance

Eligibility: Military dependents ages 18-26 can apply if they’re the spouse or child of a service member who died on active duty, was captured by a hostile force, or has a service-connected disability. Award money can be used for college, an apprenticeship, or on-the-job training for up to three years.

Application Deadline: Varies

Award Amount: Varies

Additional Resources for Military Dependents and Spouses

Frequently Asked Questions About Military Dependent Scholarships

Military dependents can access many grants and scholarships that can help alleviate the cost of college and may even make it free to attend. Depending on whether you’re a military spouse or military child, there are different financial aid options available.

Military dependents can get financial support for college through the VA, federal government, and private organizations.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute professional financial advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Readers of this website should contact a professional advisor before making decisions about financial issues.