An Introduction to Army Spouse Education Benefits
Army wives and husbands make tremendous sacrifices when their spouses serve on active duty, including long separations and frequent relocations. In recognition of these sacrifices, the U.S. Army offers benefits to Army wives and husbands, including education funds for military spouses. Because military families often must move around from base to base, Army spouse education programs are flexible, allowing the pursuit of part-time and online education programs.
What Are the Available Education Programs for Military Spouses?
Post-9/11 GI Bill Transfer
Among the most beneficial Army spouse education programs, the Post-9/11 GI Bill Transfer entitles Army wives, husbands, and children to all of the education benefits qualified Army members receive under the program. The program is available to Army personnel who have accumulated at least 90 days of active duty on or after September 11, 2001 and received an honorable discharge. Additionally, veterans who served 30 days, but then received an honorable discharge for a service-related disability can also qualify.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill Transfer covers up to 100 percent of the tuition and fees for Army spouses enrolled in a degree program. The maximum benefit is capped at the cost of tuition and fees at the most expensive in-state public college.
Stateside Spouse Education Assistance Program (SSEAP)
Administered by Army Emergency Relief, this program provides up to $2,500 in educational funds per academic year to Army wives and husbands. The funds can be used for tuition and fees for the undergraduate education of the military spouse. To qualify for the program, the servicemember must be on active duty and the spouse must reside in the U.S.
Overseas Spouse Education Assistance Program (OSEAP).
Financial assistance to overseas Army spouses can be provided through OSEAP. The need based program pays up to half of the spouse's tuition fees, with a per-term max of $580 and a yearly limit of $2,900.
Joanne Holbrook Military Spouse Scholarship
This scholarship is available to Army wives and husbands, as well as spouses of all other military branches. Administered by the National Military Family Association, the scholarship provides Army spouse education funding, including tuition and fees for attending undergraduate, graduate, or vocational school, or other eligible programs on a full- or part-time basis. You must have a valid military ID card to qualify.
Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA)
The Department of Defense (DoD) administers this program, with the goal of helping Army spouses receive education that leads to portable careers (those that can move easily from location to location). The program offers up to $4,000 in education assistance to qualifying Army spouses for college classes or career training in an area the military has identified as portable.
