If you are currently serving, or have retired or separated from the military, choosing a college to use your GI Bill benefits, state military education benefits, or student loans can be challenging. There are a variety of practical issues unique to service members and veterans that can help you weed out colleges that aren’t right for you and make your selection process easier.

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Choosing A College As An Active Duty Service Member

There are important considerations for active duty military members including whether or not the college has policies to accommodate those who require absences due to regular military duty, temporary duty or TDY, and deployments.

When you speak or email a college counselor or admissions rep, be sure to ask what specific policies are on the books to accommodate your needs for service-connected absences.

Questions To Ask About College Policies For Active Duty Military

• Does the college have a policy for duty-related absences? What is the specific policy?
• Does the institution allow the military member to make up missed course work or assignments due to service-connected absences? If not, what kinds of reasonable accommodations are made?
• How long can a duty-related absence be without penalty? What is required for prolonged absences (deployments, training, etc.)
• What is the withdrawal policy for active duty military and what are the deadlines to notify the school without penalty?
• What is the refund policy for classes which must be dropped due to deployments, extended training or TDY, or permanent change of station moves?
• What is the policy for switching to distance or online learning from an in-person class for the purposes of continuing coursework while deployed or on TDY, etc?
• What kind of documentation is required to drop, suspend, or be absent from classes for service-connected reasons?
• What specific deadlines and penalties apply when modifying, dropping, or pausing higher education for military duty?

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Choosing A College As A Guard Or Reservist Service Member

Guard and Reserve duty present unique challenges to those attending school. You may find a deployment, national emergency, annual training, or other military service requirements cutting into your class attendance. In addition to the considerations mentioned above for active duty service members, if you are a Guard member or Reservist, be sure to ask about the following:

• How does the school’s absence, add/drop, or class cancellation policy differ for members of the Guard or Reserve compared to active duty?
• What is required to add, drop, suspend, or withdraw from classes due to deployment, mobilization, etc? How do these policies specifically apply to Guard/Reserve students?
• Are there penalties for extended absences for military service? What are they and how do they apply to Guard/Reserve requirements?
• What documentation is required for Guard/Reserve students who need accommodation for military service?

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General Considerations For All Military Members And Veterans Looking For A Military-Friendly College Or University

There are many questions to answer about the college or university you are considering. For example, how does the college rank among its peers for your chosen major or specialty? What is the reputation of the school overall, and also among recent graduates in your area of study?

How far can you go at this institution of higher learning with your military education benefits? Does the school participate in state, federal, or self-generated programs to help extend how far your military benefits such as the GI Bill will go?

What are the school’s student-to-teacher ratios? How many are accepted into your chosen program of study and how many of that number graduate or successfully complete the program?

Is the program nationally accredited? Regionally accredited?

Does the school publish information about its success rates in placement after graduation? Not all schools do, but you may find that for-profit colleges (depending on the college) do and it’s important to know the difference between the school’s marketing hype and the reality of those published numbers. Study them if they are available.

When speaking to an admissions rep or college counselor, be sure to ask them about their experience working with students using the GI Bill, and whether or not state military education benefits (where offered) are accepted at the school, or if the school has a relationship with the VA or the state’s division of veterans’ affairs.

How To Research A College, University, Or Training Program

Social media can be a very useful tool for researching colleges, determining whether they meet your needs, or have issues that you should be aware of. One very good way to learn this information is by searching for alumni boards or groups on Facebook or related social media platforms. You may learn a great deal from current and former students by reading their posts about school experiences in such forums.

Not all colleges, schools, or training academies have bad reputations online, but if you aren’t sure about a particular school, consider a Google search on the term “(name of your school here) scam alert” or “(name of school here) complaints”.

Believe it or not, you may also find interesting and useful information by searching for the college on Yelp, Glassdoor, or other online rating websites. When using these resources, remember that many times the reviews should be taken with a grain of salt in varying degrees, but those sites can offer useful intel about a school that is borderline, or one that is outstanding.

You can also take a different approach by reviewing sites such as Indeed.com; search for your school and read the employee reviews left by faculty and staff. This information could prove quite useful in your decision making process.

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How To Choose A Military-Friendly College

The qualities of the college you select should include the following:

Tuition Price Breaks For Military Members

Does the school offer any perks for your military service? How do they compare to others who do and those that do not?

Credit For Military Experience

If your chosen college or training program does not allow you to get transfer credit for your military life experiences, training, or professional development programs, is this college going to be flexible with your needs as a military member in other ways?

Military-Specific Financial Aid

Does the college offer Yellow Ribbon-type tuition help for those who can’t quite cover the full cost of their education with the GI Bill or other military education benefits? If not, are there comparable colleges that do? These are important considerations to have on your checklist early on in your selection process.

Does The School Have On-Campus Support For Military Members? 

A college without an office or program to specifically address servicemember needs may be short-sighted in other areas, too. Is there an ROTC unit on campus? Are there student organizations with veteran or military focus? If you find yourself as an outsider due to your military status, this may be a situation that spills into other areas too-choose your campus carefully!

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Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter for Air Force Television News

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There are many incentive programs designed to encourage people to join the United States military. Some of those programs involve enlistment bonuses, others involve allowing new recruits to enter the military at a slightly higher rank than they otherwise would (which can affect certain pay and allowance issues) and others may be related to the new recruit’s student loans.

Where student loans are concerned, military people have more than one avenue to pay off or pay down their student loans thanks to being in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.

The previously mentioned enlistment bonuses can help there though they are not directly associated with student loans. They are worth mentioning here because with a large enough bonus, the new recruit may find their ability to reduce student loan debt substantially increased.

The U.S. Navy alone offers enlistment bonuses in categories including (but not limited to) the following which is current at the time of this writing but is subject to change depending on mission requirements:

• Advanced Electronics Computer Field (AECF-AEF) — $10,000
• Air Rescue Swimmer (AIRR-ATF) — $36,000
• Avionics Aviation (AV-SG) — $10,000
• Cryptologic Technician Interpretive (CTI-ATF) — $25,000
• Cryptologic Technician Networks (CTN-ATF) — $10,000
• Explosive Ordnance (EOD-ATF) — $36,000
• Hospital Corpsman (HM-ATF) — $25,000
• Navy Diver (ND-ATF) — $36,000
• Nuclear Field (NF) — $38,000
• Special Warfare Boat Operator (SB-ATF) — $36,000
• Sub Electronics Computer Field (SECF-5YO) — $10,000
• Special Warfare Operator (SO-ATF) — $36,000

Not all military career fields offer enlistment or reenlistment bonuses, but as you can see from this list of Navy jobs, there is a real incentive to consider military service if your loan balances are high.

But none of this addresses the more direct question of whether or not the military will pay off your student loan debts.

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Will The Military Pay Off Your Student Loans?

Military student loan repayment, forgiveness, or assistance programs vary depending on the branch of service and may be subject to change depending on Congress, program start and end dates, and other variables.

What follows is current at the time of this writing but you will need to check with the Education Office, Personnel Center, or other appropriate agency depending on your branch of service to see what is being currently offered.

The United States Army offers the Loan Repayment Program (LRP) for service members who sign up as new recruits (and not prior-service military) for three years or more into active duty. Some other requirements of the Army’s LRP include (but are not limited to):

• The soldier must have Loan Repayment Program guaranteed in writing in the enlistment contract;
• The soldier must have a high school diploma;
• A score of 50 or higher on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is required;
• The new recruit is required to enlist in one of the critical MOSs that qualifies for the program (Local Army recruiters have the list and is updated quarterly).

Under this program the soldier is required to disenroll from the GI Bill, which is a very important factor to consider when exploring options under LRP, which is intended only for student loans “made, insured, or guaranteed prior to entry on active duty” and the student loans must meet certain qualifying criteria that include but may not be limited to the following:

• Any loan made, insured, or guaranteed under part B of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965;
• Any loan made under part D of such title (the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program);
• Any loan made under part E of such title;
• Any loan incurred for educational purposes “made by a lender that is – (i) an agency or instrumentality of a State; (ii) a financial or credit institution (including an insurance company) that is subject to examination and supervision by an agency of the United States or any State; (iii) from a pension fund or a non-profit private entity.”

Other branches of the military have, in recent years, suspended or modified their student loan repayment programs. Some go away for a time and come back again, others may be limited, reduced, or otherwise restricted to certain career fields, enlistment types, or other variables.

Depending on the nature of your military service and the branch you signed up with, you may (or may have in the past) been eligible for as much as $65 thousand in student loan payoff funds. You may also be required to be on active duty in order to continue in such a program; be sure to ask how to proceed at or near reenlistment time.

But such programs are commonly in flux from year to year – publishing a comprehensive guide to military options for student loan repayment from the military itself is nearly impossible due to the frequently shifting nature of these programs.

One common factor persists, though; when you research your options for military student loan forgiveness, you will find many of these programs will require a withdrawal from the GI Bill program and require the enlistee to claim these benefits when entering the military or within a certain time frame after starting duty.

And there’s another factor in common; the policy of not “assuming” the recruit’s student loan, as in taking financial responsibility for it. The borrower is fully responsible at all times for the student loan, it’s payment, and eventual (or early) payoff of the note. The military will not accept responsibility for the student loan.

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Student Loan Payoff Versus Student Loan Forbearance Or Forgiveness

One thing the military does not do is to issue student loan forbearance or forgiveness – only the lender can opt to forgive the loan or issue a forbearance. Those who need such assistance must contact the lender directly to apply for any available options to get the loan forgiven, have payments delayed until a later date, or renegotiate the loan.

It is also crucial to know the difference between student loan forbearance, student loan deferment, and forgiveness. Depending on the nature of your agreement with the lender or the rules of the program you want to use, you may or may not be responsible for paying interest on the loan during the period of forbearance or deferment.

One crucial factor to remember when considering any student loan payoff program, loan forbearance, loan forgiveness, etc.? You may be required to be current or bring the account into current status in order to be offered a full range of options. If your loan is delinquent, you may be required to enter into a satisfactory payment program in order to have other options made available to you.

Always discuss your circumstances with the lender in any case – if you are thinking of taking advantage of a loan repayment program or any other student loan program that can offer you a benefit, make sure your accounts are current and that you don’t need to address a problem with late or missed payments.

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Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter for Air Force Television News

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It’s easy to assume that military members have no student loan debt. After all, aren’t veterans, currently serving military members, and eligible Guard/Reserve members all taking full advantage of VA education benefits such as the Post 9/11 GI Bill and the Forever GI Bill changes that have greatly enhanced the program?

But not everyone who joins the military comes to the service in need of a degree. Some already have plenty of college experience, undergrad and graduate degrees, or certificates. And when you join the military with student loan debt or incur student loan debt while serving, it’s good to know your military student loan forgiveness options.

Not all who owe money on their higher education will qualify for loan forgiveness. But for the many who are eligible for some form of assistance, it can be quite helpful to receive loan deferment or other support. This is especially true for those transitioning out of military service and back into the civilian sector.

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Types of Student Loan Forgiveness and Related Options

There are many programs that allow military members to apply to defer student loans or have them forgiven. In all cases, it will be necessary to contact the loan servicer to determine what application requirements are needed at the time.

State law, lender requirements, and other rules may apply. None of the programs listed here are automatic. You must apply for each one individually and supporting documentation is a condition of acceptance into each program.

 Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

The program known as Federal Student Aid “began accepting and reviewing applications from borrowers seeking loan forgiveness” for Direct Loans via the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program which was created in 2007.

Direct loans are those that qualifying students and parents borrow directly from the U.S. Department of Education. Military members would be eligible to apply since any government employee is considered. The one exception is civilians working at for-profit government contractor agencies.

Only qualifying student loans will be forgiven under this program. The government’s official site for student aid defines a qualifying loan as, “any non-defaulted loan you received under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program.”

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) Interest Rate Cap

A 2008 law known as the Higher Education Opportunity Act amended existing rules to include federally guaranteed student loans as a protected debt under the SCRA. Before 2008, federal student loans were NOT included as part of SCRA protections.

That means any Direct Loan prior to 2008 is not covered. But for those with student loans originated after the passage of the Higher Education Opportunity Act, those loans have an interest rate cap at six percent for the duration of military service. All interest above and beyond that six percent must be forgiven.

The catch is that this cap is not automatic. It must be applied for in writing and supporting documentation must be submitted including military orders to show the duration of service, etc.

The cap is not for any time except for the duration of military service; any interest paid prior to that is not covered under SCRA.

Military Service Deferment

Military service deferment permits a student loan borrower to defer or postpone loan repayment “during certain periods of active duty” and immediately after active duty. Training periods, military service schooling, and similar circumstances do not count. Serving away from the borrower’s normal duty station does count, as does wartime service.

To apply for this program, contact your loan servicer and be prepared to submit documentation. This includes paperwork showing your completed military service, a Post-Active Duty Student Deferment Request form, a statement from a commander or First Individual (First Sergeant, Sergeant Major, Master Chief, etc.) or personnel officer along with the completed borrower section of deferment form. You may need to provide military orders, discharge paperwork, etc. as required.

Student Loan Deferments after Active Duty

Military members may apply to defer Federal loans and certain private loans following departure from active duty when returning to school. You will need to contact your lender to see what application requirements apply. But in general you will need a copy of military orders, discharge paperwork, and a written statement from a commander or personnel officer.

0% Student Loan Interest during Hostile Duty

You may apply to pay no interest on your qualifying student loans for up to 60 months if you are assigned to a “hostile area.” Service members must be receiving special duty pay to qualify for this zero-interest student loan option. This is not offered for private student loans, but check with your loan servicer to see if any such program is offered independently by that financial institution.

Heroes Act Waiver

For those on active duty, certain documentation requirements are waived for those using student loan benefits. Service members who utilize income-driven student loan payment plans (see below) can apply to have their monthly payment amounts continue without the required updates based on income, family size, or other variables. The Heroes Act also suspends “satisfactory academic progress” requirements for qualifying servicemembers.

This is generally offered for those serving in times of war or other military operations. It is also offered to those who serve in times of a national emergency. The Heroes Act waiver does not include loan forgiveness, but the elimination of the regular reporting requirement for those serving in combat zones and other areas can be a major benefit.

The Heroes Act also permits students withdrawing from college because of required military service to keep Title IV funds that were overpaid thanks to a repayment waiver. Students who were threatened with collection activity on defaulted education loans can apply to have such action halted (for a limited time) as a result of qualifying military service.

Income-Driven Student Loan Repayment Plans with The Potential for Loan Forgiveness

Service members and veterans who qualify can apply to have their student loan repayment programs based on income. This is an option for federal loans only, though it is a very good idea to contact your student loan servicer to see if a similar program is offered to veterans independently.

Veterans with federal student loans may qualify for a low payment or no-payment option “with the possibility of forgiveness of the remaining balance in 20-25 years.” Application procedures may vary depending on the lender.

Veterans Total and Permanent Disability Discharge Student Loan Forgiveness.

Veterans with a service connected disability may be able to have student loans forgiven. In general this is intended for federal student loans, but some private student loans may also qualify depending on the loan and circumstances. Qualifying veterans will have a VA disability rating and receive, or be eligible to receive, VA disability compensation.

Veterans must complete a Total and Permanent Disability Request Form to qualify. Contact your student loan servicer to learn more about specific requirements to apply with that lender.

Military Service Loan Repayment Programs

While not all military members qualify for student loan repayment by the Department of Defense, for those who do there is a huge benefit.

These programs are often offered in critically staffed career fields. It is not uncommon for doctors and other medical professionals to have their student debt taken care of by the Department of Defense in exchange for a minimum military service commitment (which will vary depending on the program, the branch of military service, etc.).

One excellent example of this type of program is the one administered by the Air Force for those who work in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) corps. According to the Air Force official site, “eligible JAGs can apply for up to $65,000 toward student loan repayment. Payments are made directly to a qualified lender over a three-year period, starting after you have completed the first year of service as a JAG officer.”

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Other Types of Student Loan Forgiveness and Forbearance

Depending on circumstances, the type of student loans you have, and other variables, it may be possible to qualify for additional consideration for student loan forgiveness or forbearance. Private loans vary and will have requirements unique to that program. Contact your loan servicer for information on how to apply for any private student loan program your servicer may offer.

For federal loans, students may qualify for a student loan deferment under the following circumstances:

• While enrolled at least half-time at an eligible college or career school, and if you received a Direct PLUS Loan or FFEL PLUS Loan as a graduate or professional student, for an additional six months after you are no longer enrolled at least half-time;
• While enrolled in an approved graduate fellowship program;
• Being enrolled in an approved rehabilitation training program for the disabled;
• During periods of unemployment or a lack of full-time employment up to three years;
• While serving on active duty military service in connection with a war, military operation, or national emergency;
• While on active duty military service in connection with a war, military operation, or national emergency, for the 13 month period following the conclusion of that service, or until you return to college or career school half-time or more.

For student loan forbearance, a General Forbearance option allows your lender to decide whether to grant your request when motivated by the following circumstances:

• Financial difficulties
• Medical expenses
• Changes in employment
• Other issues the lender is willing to accept

Such forbearance is allowed only for 12 months at a time. Some programs only permit a “cumulative forbearance” of a certain number of months or years, while others do not. Lender standards and requirements will be an important part of the equation when such arrangements are made.

Depending on the type of loan and the agreement you make with the lender, you may or may not be charged interest during the forbearance period.

There is also a category known as a Mandatory Forbearance (applicable for 12 months at a time) which applies to the following circumstances:

• Serving in a medical or dental internship or residency program when the applicant meets certain requirements including holding a Direct Loan or FFEL loan (no other loans qualify under this circumstance)
• The total amount of the monthly payment for all student loans equals 20 percent or more of your total monthly gross income, for up to three years on Direct Loans, FFEL Program loans, and Perkins Loans;
• The borrower participates in a teaching program that qualifies for teacher loan forgiveness on Direct Loans and FFEL Program loans only;
• The borrower is eligible for partial repayment of your loans under the U.S. Department of Defense Student Loan Repayment Program for Direct Loans and FFEL Program loans only;
• Member of the National Guard who are activated, but not considered eligible for a military deferment for Direct Loans and FFEL Program loans.

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Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter for Air Force Television News

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Military spouses often find themselves having to pack up the house and move to a new duty location when the military member gets reassigned.

Some of those spouses will be getting ready for a move from one stateside base to another. But some military spouses find themselves getting ready to accompany the military member to an overseas base in Japan, Germany, and sometimes South Korea depending on the military member’s rank and career field.

When relocating to an overseas location, most spouses will be there between two and four years. This is the typical assignment length for many overseas duty locations not considered to be “forward deployed” or an unaccompanied tour.

Two to four years is an ideal length of time for spouses to attend college classes, earn a degree, and move forward in a career. But what education opportunities await military spouses living outside the Continental United States (CONUS)?

The Department of Defense issues contracts to a select number of colleges and institutions. These schools will provide on-base classes, distance learning, or a combination of the two. This allows both military members and family members to study while assigned overseas.

Consider the 2015 press release from the Headquarters, Air Force Pacific Public Affairs office. It notes, “The Defense Department awarded contracts to four colleges and universities to provide in-resident college and graduate programs at overseas military installations across U.S. Pacific Command to include mainland Japan, Okinawa, South Korea and Guam.”

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Overseas Spouse Education Opportunities from Certificate Programs to Graduate School

You read that correctly. Graduate-level programs are available at overseas bases. The caveat is that the number of degree programs may be limited compared to what college students are used to from stateside universities.

For example, for those stationed at Misawa Air Base, Japan, The University of Maryland offers nine Associate’s degrees, approximately 20 undergraduate Bachelor’s degrees, and one graduate program. This is a Master of Business Administration degree.

Many of the University of Maryland offerings are practical, career-oriented programs such as English, Homeland Security, Criminal Justice, etc. But there are also foreign language programs, cultural studies, and history classes.

The University of Maryland isn’t the only college offering classes to those assigned to bases in Japan. Troy University adds some fierce competition by offering a Doctorate program as an online-only option for those interested in higher-level college work in International Relations. The number of colleges and courses offered will depend on the military base. Online learning options can expand a student’s capabilities to learn and earn degrees while stationed outside the U.S.A.

Multiple Colleges to Choose from Depending on Location

Misawa Air Base, Japan is only one example. There are college education opportunities at many bases all over the globe. The University of Maryland has a Europe division as well as an Asia division. Troy University is found in Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and elsewhere.

Those assigned to European installations such as Geilenkirchen NATO Air Base in Germany will enjoy options that include both of the previously mentioned colleges along with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the University of Phoenix, and several other institutions.

Some Colleges That You May Find at Your Next Overseas Military Base

• University of Maryland College Asia / Europe offers traditional and distance learning courses for certificates, associates, bachelor and master’s degrees. They depend on location, demand, availability of online or in-residence courses at the military base.
• Central Texas College provides vocational-technical associate degrees in applied sciences, plus the Microsoft Certification Program and other options.
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has on-base and distance learning options (depending on demand, availability, etc) for programs such as an Associate of Science degree in Professional Aeronautics, Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics, and a Master of Aeronautical Science. These courses may feature online components or some programs may be exclusively online with no local classroom options.
• University of Oklahoma has offered a Master of Human Relations and a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies focusing on international relations. Current or future offerings may depend on demand, funding, etc.

These colleges may depend on Department of Defense contracts to remain a service provider for the military communities at overseas bases. That said, the University of Maryland and other colleges have been associated with the military for many decades. And these programs are not just for spouses. Any qualified potential student can sign up including military members working on degrees and career advancement.

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A Note about The University of Phoenix

The University of Phoenix was, at one time, a common presence on military bases for some time. But controversy surrounded the college and the university did not receive a DoD contract in 2015 like the previously mentioned schools did. A CNN Money report notes that the Federal Trade Commission put the school under investigation in 2015.

However, University of Phoenix may still have obligations to certain military students to complete degree programs. Any military member or spouse that began a degree program with this college and looks to return to school will need to discuss their needs including University of Phoenix transcripts with an academic advisor. Get advice on the best way to proceed with the University of Phoenix credits previously earned.

It’s best to act sooner on this issue rather than later to avoid future problems with access to transcripts, recognition of applicable school credit, transferring etc.

How to Find Colleges at an Overseas Military Base

The first resource to use when trying to find on-campus or distance learning in your location? The Education Office at your military base. Some branches of the military may label their education office the Adult Education Office or Adult Education Center. When doing a Google search for college opportunities at overseas bases, you will encounter search results for base education that is aimed at dependent children and parents.

You can help refine your search and save time by adding “adult education” to your list of search terms and searching for phrases such as “college classes overseas military bases Germany” or other highly-targeted and location specific search tactics.

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Distance Learning Options outside the Military System: Pros and Cons

The nature of online education allows military members and spouses the option of simply signing up for an online degree program at the college of their choice. The time zone difference is one advantage that students at overseas military bases have when selecting a program associated with the military base or theater of operations.

Distance learning at overseas military bases will, when administered in the local area, feature classes that meet at “regular” times for that part of the world. There may be programs aimed at those who do shift work depending on location. In general, students will find that the locally-hosted programs that meet in person or require online attendance will meet at typical times of day.

But if you sign up for distance learning or online degree programs that are administered stateside, you will be required to show up when the class meets–on stateside time.

That isn’t a problem for some, but the time delay factor is a serious one for many students. It cannot be taken lightly when choosing a program. That’s one compelling argument for looking at the local degree programs offered at the military base first.

You may decide in the end that the stateside based program is more to your liking. Adjusting to the time differences and the school schedule based on those differences may be more challenging for some than for others.

Another issue is internet connectivity. Depending on the quality of your connection at the overseas location, you may or may not experience technical issues at times with classroom attendance that is half a world away. Know what to expect from your equipment, connections, and connection speeds before you commit to taking classes administered in real-time from a U.S. time zone.

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Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter for Air Force Television News

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Military members and their families have many education benefits to choose from regardless of the branch of service. But not all education benefits are provided via the Post 9/11 GI Bill or the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Each branch of military service, including the Coast Guard, has its own unique education benefits directly or indirectly. Some of those are specifically for spouses and/or family members.

What do we mean by “indirectly”? These benefits are not always provided by the service itself. Non-profit agencies and other military-affiliated agencies often provide this assistance to the families of a specific branch of military service.

What follows are the service specific educational benefits not associated with the VA or the GI Bill. It doesn’t matter if you wear an Army uniform, work for the Air Force, the Navy, Marines, or the Coast Guard. There is financial help for the education of your spouse and college-age family members. In many cases, these programs are administered by not-for-profit or non-profit groups.

**Important note: all of the third parties linked to in this article work with the Department of Defense and/or the individual branches of military service. These agencies are not part of the government, but work in partnership with it.

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Educational Scholarship and Grant Programs for U.S. Army Families

The Army Emergency Relief Spouse Education Assistance Program (SEAP)

SEAP is a need-based education assistance program designed to provide spouses and surviving spouses of active duty soldiers living stateside. This program offers a variable amount per academic year for stateside college attendance. The maximum amount awarded in 2018 was just over $2,800.

Operated by a private company called Army Emergency Relief, this program is not an entitlement. Applicants are not automatically approved just because they potentially qualify.

The program is subject to available funding issues. Other variables may affect the number of approvals and the amount of funds issued via those approvals.

Those who get free tuition via their employers cannot get tuition reimbursement from SEAP. They may apply for financial help with fees, books, supplies, expenses, and other costs for approved coursework.

Qualifying military spouses must be enrolled, accepted, or pending acceptance as a full-time or part-time student. This benefits only apply at an accredited post-secondary or vocational institution listed in the US Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Post-secondary Institutions. Additionally:

• The military spouse must not have a prior bachelor’s degree
• The spouse must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 grading scale
• National Guard, Reserves, or other military branches are not eligible
• Student must be registered in DEERS and not already be fully funded elsewhere. According to the SEAP official site, “No student can receive funding above the school’s established Cost of Attendance – once all costs are covered, any remaining funds must be returned.”

Learn more at the SEAP application page. Up to four years of scholarships are available for full-time students and eight years for part-time students.

The Army Emergency Relief (AER) James Ursano Scholarship Program for Dependent Children

The AER Major General James Ursano Scholarship Program is a need-based scholarship program for qualifying Army dependent children seeking their first undergraduate degree. This scholarship varies each year depending on demand, budget constraints, and other variables.

In 2018, these scholarships ranged from $670 to $4,290. There is a specific open season for applying for this scholarship. Once that season is closed, applicants must wait until the following open season to submit. AER scholarship funds for this program are submitted to the school directly. Funding is not provided for summer coursework.

Ursano Scholarship funds can be applied towards tuition, fees, books, supplies, and school room and board. Scholarship funds may be adjusted if the student is receiving financial assistance from another source. Qualifying criteria for this program includes:

• Must be a dependent of a Soldier on active duty, retired, or deceased
• Must be registered in DEERS
• Must be under the age of 23
• Student must remain unmarried for the entire academic year
• National Guard, Reserves, and members of other military branches do not qualify
• Must be enrolled, accepted, or pending acceptance as a full-time student in an institution listed in the US Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Post-secondary Institutions.

Learn more or apply at the official site. Like the AER scholarship for spouses, this is not an entitlement program and applications are not automatically approved.

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Educational Scholarship and Grant Programs for Air Force Family Members

Air Force Aid Society General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program

This grant is described as “the centerpiece” of Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) education programs, offering need-based education grants to qualifying dependents of;

• active duty
• Title 10 AGR/Reserve
• Title 32 AGR performing full-time active duty
• Retired active duty
• Retired Reservists
• Deceased Air Force members.

Stateside military spouses of active duty members are welcome to apply for this Air Force Aid Society educational grant, as well as spouses of Title 10 AGR/Reservists, and surviving spouses of military members who have died.

The official site for the Arnold Education Grant states that the program is competitive and need-based. The “grants now range from $500 to $4,000 with the highest amounts going to the students with greatest demonstrated need.”

The application of this grant is limited to tuition, books and fees, and what the official site describes as “other direct expenses.” Learn more or apply for this Air Force Aid Society grant at the AFAS site.

Air Force Aid Society Merit Scholarship for Dependents and Spouses

Air Force Aid Society awards ten or more Merit Scholarships per year. These are $5,000 scholarships for qualifying dependent children, spouses of active duty, and retired Air Force members.

The scholarship is awarded competitively based on grades and other requirements. This AFAS program is intended for freshmen students “who have already successfully completed both parts of the Arnold Education Grant application” according to the AFAS official site. Being awarded an Arnold Grant is not a pre-requisite, but applying for one is.

The selection process is not automatic. Students are vetted and chosen based on “cumulative GPA, high school transcripts and an essay written on a specified topic” according to the official site. The grant awards are announced each July with funds paid directly to the school. This grant may be used to pay tuition, fees, books, and materials as required.

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Educational Scholarship and Grant Programs For U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Families

The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society offers qualifying Marine and Navy spouses a need-based program of grants and loans under its Education Assistance Program. These funds are available for two and four-year degrees, technical and vocational programs, and other approved educational opportunities.

The program is intended for spouses and children of active duty, retired, or deceased Navy/Marine Corps members. Eligibility requirements include, but are not limited to the following:

• A child under age 23 as of May 1, 2019 of an active duty, retired or deceased Sailor or Marine OR
• The spouse of an active duty or retired Sailor or Marine OR
• A Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program student.

You may apply for this program if you meet the criteria above, are registered in DEERS (Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System), and are either enrolled or intend to enroll as a full-time student for the entire academic year.

The following eligible types of degree programs include undergraduate degrees, vo/tech classes, and other approved programs that are located in the United States. They are accredited by an approved agency and participate in U.S. Department of Education Title IV Financial Aid Programs.

All applicants must have a 2.0 GPA or better and be able to demonstrate financial need. These grants and loans may range from between $500 and $3000 per academic year. They may only be used to pay for tuition, books, fees, and housing.

Each grant or loan must be re-applied for in successive years. Loans are paid via military payroll deductions which begin immediately upon loan disbursement. In the case of loans under this program, there are no interest payments. All deductions pay the principal of the loan amount.

Learn more or apply at the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society official site.

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Educational Scholarship and Grant Programs For Coast Guard Families

The Coast Guard Foundation Spouse Education Grant

This grant is administered by the non-profit Coast Guard Foundation. They offer up to $500 per calendar year to help pay for school costs not covered by other programs. Books, transportation expenses, and school fees may be paid using this grant.

The funds are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. They should be seeking degrees by taking approved undergraduate or graduate courses or obtaining certificates and licensing.

Spouses of Coast Guard active duty enlisted members between the grades of E3 and E6 may apply. Apouses of Coast Guard Reservists may also qualify when the service member has been on “any type of active duty orders for at least one year in duration” according to the official site. Learn more or apply online.

Coast Guard Foundation Scholarship for Children of Enlisted Coast Guard Members and Veterans

Qualifying dependent children of active duty, retired, or active reserve Coast Guard members may apply for this scholarship. They paid between $1 thousand and $5 thousand per approved applicant in 2018.

Eligible students are unmarried children of enlisted Coast Guard members on active duty, retired, or deceased. Children of Coast Guard Reserve members may qualify if the military member has been on extended active duty of 180 days or longer.

Applicants must be in the DEERS system, be working toward a first degree, and all applicants must be 24 or younger when they apply. Unlike other programs, Coast Guard spouses are NOT eligible to apply, only dependent children.

Ineligible students include, but may not be limited to:

• Coast Guard Spouses
• Active duty Coast Guard members
• Children of commissioned officers to include warrant officers
• Those working on a second undergraduate degree, masters or doctorate
• Applicants pursuing a degree at an unaccredited institution

Learn more or apply at the official site.

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Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter for Air Force Television News

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