Military Spouse Tuition Assistance Eligibility Requirements

As the spouse of a service member in the Armed Forces, you may be eligible to receive tuition assistance (TA) to help you pursue your educational and career goals.

The Department of Veteran Affairs has introduced the Spouse and Dependents' Assistance (DEA) program which offers assistance for education and training to those who qualify. Benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs as well as apprenticeships and on-the-job training.

Each branch of the military offers its own program to provide assistance to spouses. These programs are spearheaded and administered by the following relief agencies:

-- Army: Army Emergency Relief (overseas and stateside)
-- Navy: Navy Marine Corps Relief Society
-- Air Force: Air Force Aid Society
-- Marine Corps: Navy Marine Corps Relief Society

While spouses don't receive the same assistance as their active duty service members, funds received by utilizing available programs are helpful in defraying the costs associated with obtaining a college degree. When applying for assistance, make sure you know the qualification requirements, specific deadlines, and paperwork required.

In an effort to help military spouses and family members with their educational objectives, the Department of Defense offers these new programs:

1. Post 9-11 GI Bill Transferability
2. Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts
3. Military Spouse Scholarships

Spouse and Dependents' Assistance (DEA) program which offers assistance for education and training to those who qualify. Benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs as well as apprenticeships and on-the-job training.

Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts was designed to provide assistance to military spouses trying to obtain the skills and credentials they need to begin or further their careers. Through these accounts, the costs of training and education are covered, giving participants the chance to get a degree or credential in portable fields that are in demand across the country. My CAA can be used to pay up to $3,000 in fees for one year and may be renewed for an additional year for a two-year total of up to $6,000.

Perhaps you are under the impression that scholarships are too difficult to find. There is a fabulous online resource created to specifically to help service members find scholarships. Visit the "Scholarship Finder" at Military.com..

This article is based on publicly-accessible information and has not been reviewed or approved by any military branch.