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Education
Destination: degree.

Education is within reach. So many benefits are available to military families that it’s hard to know where to start. First question: Do you want to further your education? We can help.

Step 1

Do Your Homework
The future is yours

Your homework starts with figuring out what you want.

Is it a Job?

Is it a Promotion?

Is it a Degree?

Think it through before you begin to make sure you pick the best path.

  • Advice

    Find a mentor — someone who is doing what you want to do — and ask about degrees, certifications, and specific classes.

  • Support

    Who is there to help you reach your goal? Spouse? Family? Friends? Colleagues? Know whom you can count on for encouragement along the way.

  • Obstacles

    Plan for possible challenges. Child care? Deployments? Work? PCS’ing?

  • Time

    Figure out how many hours each week you can devote to school. Include travel time, homework, and studying for exams.

Step 2

Get organized

Financial help is available

If you’re asking yourself, “Will I be able to afford an education?” the answer can be yes, with a little planning and the right scholarship.
Here are a few resources to get you started:

Scholarships:

Branch Aid Societies:

Post–9/11 GI Bill:

The GI Bill can be a great benefit for spouses. On the other hand, sifting through all of the information is not always easy.

Fortunately, there are lots of tools to help you out! For example, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides spouses with a GI Bill Comparison Tool. Users can explore career options and compare schools and programs on an easy-to-use website.

U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Support:

DoD’s Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) program provides key education and employment resources, including the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program, which provides up to $4,000 in education benefits to eligible military spouses.

Step 3

Find A School
Accreditation Is Key

It’s important that you earn your degree at an accredited school. Review the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs to find an accredited school near you.

The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) gives you the opportunity to earn college credit on the things you already know. The Defense Activity for Non Traditional Education Support (DANTES) funds one exam for military spouses, in 33 subject areas.

Step 4

Click Submit

After you find the right program and financial plan, it’s time to hit submit for the school you have in mind! As you prepare for your first day of class, review your goals and remind yourself why you started on this education journey.