Military Family Member Scholarships
Benefits Extend to Military Families
Many educational benefit programs are available around the country for the families of military personnel. Some programs offer the same benefits to the spouse and the children of the military member. Other programs offer different benefits to each. Please review the guidelines carefully, and adhere to all application requirements in order to be considered.
Scholarship Opportunities
Nationwide Surviving Spouse and Dependent Children Scholarship Program
The Survivor’s and Dependent’s Educational Assistance (DEA) program will help the spouses and children of select deceased or missing military personnel in obtaining higher education. Very specific criteria must be met to qualify. Assistance will be given for up to 45 months of education. For the spouse, the benefits will end 10 years after the death date of the veteran spouse or from the date of eligibility. For the children, with the exception of special circumstances, all applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 26 to qualify for this program. Read more.
Alaska State Spouse and Dependent Child Scholarship Program
Spouses and dependent children of a deceased or POW/MIA military member may qualify for free tuition for undergraduate degree pursuit. The armed forces member must have died in the line of duty or due to injuries sustained in the line of duty; or be listed as POW/MIA. This scholarship offers free tuition for the undergraduate student. The program is overseen by the Alaska State Office of Veteran’s Affairs, and everyone wishing to apply must contact an UAA, UAS, or UAF Financial Aid Office in Alaska.
Arkansas POW/MIA Family Member Educational Assistance Program
Eligible applicants will receive free tuition and housing aid from the state of Arkansas’s POW and Dependants of POW/MIA/KIA Service Members Program. The service member must have been a resident of Arkansas when they entered into active duty. Other information and an application may be obtained from the Arkansas Department of Education.
California State Aids the Spouses and Children of Disabled or Deceased Veterans
The California Veterans Education Assistance Program will assist the spouses and dependent children of service-related disabled or deceased veterans in the form of tuition and fee waivers for eligible applicants. Applications may be downloaded from the website. For more information, the applicant’s local county veteran’s service office needs to be contacted.
Louisiana Military Family Member Educational Assistance Program
Spouses and children of POW/MIA/KIA service members may be eligible for free tuition and a possible cash allowance from the State of Louisiana. To be eligible, the service member must have been a resident of Louisiana for at least one year prior to their active duty status. Children applying for this program must be a resident for at least 2 years prior to the time of admission into school. Applications and more information are available though the Louisiana Department of Veteran’s Affairs.
South Dakota Helps Families of POW/MIAs
The children and spouses of those service personnel listed as POW/MIA may qualify for free tuition and fee waivers in South Dakota. Applicants may not be eligible for any federal educational assistance programs which are the same or greater in benefits. Please contact the Division of Veteran’s Affairs for more information and to apply.
Wisconsin GI Bill Provides Educational Benefits to Military Family Members
Free tuition and fee waivers are available to eligible family members of armed forces veterans. The Wisconsin GI Bill provides that the spouse and unmarried children aged 18 to 25 may apply. The veteran must have been a resident of Wisconsin for at least 6 months prior to obtaining their active duty status, and the applicant must currently be a Wisconsin resident. The spouse may attend school in either full-time or part-time status, but the child must attend full-time. A PDF file downloadable information booklet and application is available at the website.
