College Grant Money for Military Personnel

Do You Serve? Get College Grants for You and Your Family

Did you know that many branches of the U.S. military provide valuable college financial assistance and grant programs? It’s one of their biggest benefits. If you’re active duty or reservist, find out here what grant programs are available for you, your spouse, AND your kids.

Some of these programs directly address the educational challenges facing military personnel and their families when it comes to regular station changes. In other words, how does the military make it possible for you or your family to seamlessly complete a college education when you’re constantly on the move?

Service Members Opportunity Colleges

Service Members Opportunity Colleges (SOC) program is available through many of the military branches. These programs—SOCNAV, for the Navy, SOCAD for Army, SOCCOAST for Coast Guard, and SOCMAR for the Marines—establish localized partnerships between military bases and local colleges and universities. Through this unique program you and family attending college have the chance to seamlessly continue education via a network of nearby colleges and universities that work in partnership with local military bases.

Army Student Grant Programs

The Army offers two Spouse Assistance Programs through its Family Education Program: one for spouses stateside and the other for those stationed in Japan, Korea, Europe, or Okinawa. The Stateside Spouse Education Assistance Program provides up to $2,500 per academic year; and the overseas version of the program, provides up to $300 per academic semester.

College Grants from the Air Force

The Air Force maintains one of the more competitive and valuable grant programs open to service member’s dependents. The General Henry Arnold Education Grant Program is a need-based college assistance award open to children and spouses of living and deceased Air Force personnel. Awards are $2,000.

For spouses that move overseas with active duty Air Force personnel, the Air Force’s Spouse Tuition Assistance Program offers up to $1,500 annually to help offset college tuition costs.

Coast Guard Grant Aid

Through the Coast Guard Foundation enlisted members gave access to huge tuition grants for advancing their education. Family members, including kids and spouses, may use small $160 Mutual Assistance Grants to help pay for textbooks and other educational materials.

Marine Corps Student Grant Options

For Marine families the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society provides 2 grant programs:

  • The Boorda Seaman-to-Admiral Educational Assistance Program is designed for both active duty and inactive duty seamen. Grants are up to $2,000 per academic year.
  • The Spouse Tuition Program offers stateside spouses small educational grants to pursue a college education, either at the undergraduate or graduate level.

Navy Student Grants

The Navy offers a number of valuable education grant programs. The leading program is of course the big Navy Tuition Assistance program. Here you get fully funded for a college education, whether you’re enlisted, officer, or full-time reservist.

  • The Navy Spouse Tuition Aid program provides college grant money to your spouse while you’re serving active duty. He or she is eligible while enrolled in a program working toward a trade, Associates, Bachelors, or Masters degree. Grants are $1500 and $1750 per year for undergrad and grad degree programs, respectively.