Dude. College is expensive. If you’re anything like me, you’re broke after buying books, pens, paper, binders, backpacks, software, ridiculously expensive calculators … oh yeah, and paying tuition.
I did a little math. Notice that I said “a little”, because I do not do big math. I added up my tuition for eight semesters at a community college: $19,488.96.
Yes, you read that correctly. It cost me just shy of $20k to get an associate’s degree. And that number is for in-state tuition, and after federal student aid (FAFSA) payments. A number this big might deter a lot of people from enrolling in secondary education. Not us, though. Not military spouses. We are strong, we are committed, and we are offered a huge amount of scholarship and grant opportunities.
(Insert record scratch sound here.) Wait, what? Free school money?
Yes! And I bet you’d like to know where that money is, too. Well, you know I love a good list, so here are a few (there are a ton more out there, too!):
- The most effective tool I’ve found (no joke) is Googling the phrase “scholarships for military spouses”. Give it a whirl, and you’re welcome in advance.
- Thanks USA Scholarship Program - Accessible to all dependent children, age 24 and under, and all spouses of Active-Duty U.S. military Service Members are eligible to apply for scholarships.
www.thanksusa.org/scholarship-program.html
- Army Scholarship Foundation – Twelve, one-year (renewable) financial scholarships awarded on the basis of academic record and participation in school and community activities.
www.armyscholarshipfoundation.org/scholarships.html
- The Council of College and Military Educators (CCME) offers $1,000 scholarships each year to United States Service members (active duty/veterans) and spouses of Service members who are working towards the completion of higher education degrees.
http://www.ccmeonline.org/scholarships
- Bryant & Stratton Salute to Spouses Scholarship – The school, which offers degree programs both online and on traditional campuses around the nation, offers $6,000 scholarships to military spouses.
http://online.bryantstratton.edu/salute/
Federal Programs
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - is the application used by nearly all colleges and universities to determine eligibility for federal, state, and college-sponsored financial aid, including grants, educational loans, and work- study programs.
- Federal Pell Grant Program (U.S. Department of Education) - Provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduate and certain post-baccalaureate students to promote access to postsecondary education. Grants may be used at any one of approximately 5,400 participating postsecondary institutions, and is determined by review of your FAFSA.
http://www2.ed.gov/programs/fpg/index.html
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) –
Provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduate students to promote access to postsecondary education. Students can receive these grants at any one of approximately 4,000 participating postsecondary institutions.
https://www2.ed.gov/programs/fseog/index.html
Like I mentioned previously, these are only a few of the available scholarship and grant opportunities available to military spouses. So crack your knuckles, grab your computer, and start finding some organizations that want to invest in your academic awesomeness!