Army Spouse Education Benefits
Spouses of soldiers in the U.S. Army have access to education benefits from the Department of Defense, Department of Veteran Affairs and the U.S. Army. Benefits include financial support and the ability for a soldier to transfer benefits to spouses.The U.S. Army also has arrangements with colleges to host classes on bases to make education more accessible.
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Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs Benefits
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The Department of Defense offers educational benefits to military spouses in all branches, including the Army. Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) provides up to $6,000 of financial assistance to military spouses seeking a degree or other credentials. The Department of Veterans Affairs' Dependents' Educational Assistance program offers up to 45 months of educational benefits toward a degree, certificate, apprenticeship and on-the-job training for spouses.
Post 9/11 GI BIll
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The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers generous educational benefits to soldiers and the ability to transfer those benefits to dependents, including spouses. The soldier must have served at least six years and be willing to serve four more. Spouses may use the benefits as soon as the transfer is approved and up to 15 years after the soldier has separated from the Army. The spouse is not eligible for the monthly stipend or book and supplies stipend while the soldier is on active duty.
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Army Benefits
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The Army offers educational benefits specifically for Army spouses. The Stateside Spouse Education Assistance Program (SEAP) allows spouses or widows/widowers of deceased Army soldiers residing in the United States up to $2,500 per year in educational benefits. The Spouse Education Assistance Program offers spouses of soldiers deployed in Okinawa, Korea or Europe $350 per term for the educational benefits.
The Army has partnerships with colleges and universities to provide learning on Army bases or through distance learning. The Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges degree program (SOCAD) brings college classes to bases to provide educational accessibility to Army spouses.
Private Grants and Scholarships
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Several organizations and colleges offer grants and scholarships to military spouses. Over $300 million in military- and veteran-related scholarships are available. Scholarship search services can aid Army spouses to find financial support.
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