Top Military Spouse Scholarships to Apply for in May 2025

Military spouse scholarships are designed to assist the spouses of active duty service members or veterans in obtaining a college education. These scholarships are offered by various organizations and can provide financial aid in the form of interest-free loans and scholarship awards to cover the cost of undergraduate or graduate degrees. These scholarships are available to military spouses regardless of their location as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.

They can also provide financial support for up to four years of study, which can be particularly helpful for military spouses who may have to move frequently due to their spouses' assignments. Scholarships are one way of giving back to the families of military service members and providing much-needed financial assistance for the spouses and children of service men and women as they pursue a college education.

If you're looking to find information about military spouse or military-dependent scholarships, you're in the right place. This article explores the many scholarship opportunities military spouses have access to. Gung ho!

At Bold.org, you can access numerous scholarships to pursue your undergraduate or graduate degree. Create a free profile now to begin your first scholarship application!

Do military spouses get free tuition?

Military spouses can get financial aid for education and career opportunities through a number of programs, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Spouse Education, and Career Opportunities (SECO) program, and Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA). Additionally, many organizations like Bold.org offer scholarship funds specifically for military spouses.

Military spouses may be eligible for certain education benefits that can help cover the cost of tuition, but that doesn't mean it's necessarily free. It's crucial for military spouses to look into and apply for any educational perks or scholarship programs they may qualify for, as well as to consider alternative financial aid options.

Can a military spouse get a Pell Grant?

Military dependents and spouses are welcome to apply for Pell Grants and Stafford Loans as well as other types of general financial aid. Veterans, future military personnel, active duty personnel, and those related to veterans or active service members can receive financial assistance for education from the federal government and charity organizations.

National Military Family Association

This scholarship program is open to the spouses of all 8 Uniformed Services: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and Commissioned Corps of the USPHS and NOAA. Scholarships are open year-round. The scholarship funds can be used for a variety of expenses, including tuition, course or lab fees, program costs, program fees, or exam costs/fees.

The scholarship can also be applied to professional expenses such as licensure/certification (or renewal), CEUs, professional examinations, and other related expenses such as fingerprinting, background check fees, or clinical supervision of mental health license hours. Additionally, the scholarship funds can be used for military spouse-owned business needs, including inventory and merchandise, business marketing, branding, manufacturing, supplies, permits, and additional supplies.

If you're a military spouse or dependent and want to pursue your undergraduate degree, Bold.org can help you find funding. Utilize the Scholarship Search tool to find scholarships to apply for today!

State Supported Scholarships for Military Families

All states in the US have a Department of Higher Education that manages financial aid programs for state residents. Additionally, some states have a Department of Veterans Affairs that offer financial assistance to military personnel and their families. These programs vary by state, and students should research the options available in their specific state. Below are a few states that offer state-supported scholarships for military families.

In Connecticut, the Veteran’s Tuition Waiver, which is sponsored by the state, provides financial assistance to the surviving spouses of military service personnel who were killed in the line of duty after September 11, 2001. This program is not a scholarship, but it helps military widows and widowers with their college education. Eligible students must apply through their college's financial aid office or through the Connecticut Department of Veteran Affairs.

In Texas, the Texas Veteran's Hazlewood Act provides military spouses of active-duty, reserve, or National Guard service members financial assistance for tuition and fees, as well as a $500 book allowance.

The Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflict Scholarship, which the Maryland Higher Education Commission sponsors, provides scholarships to veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts, their dependent children, and their spouses. These scholarships are for degree-seeking undergraduate programs at a Maryland state college or university. The maximum scholarship award is not to exceed 50% of the applicant's full tuition cost.

The G.I Dependents’ Scholarship Program, which the Alabama Department of Veteran Affairs supports, provides financial aid to the spouses and children of military veterans who are Alabama residents and who are either the spouse or child of an honorably discharged veteran or of a veteran who was disabled or killed in the service of their country.

There are many more state-supported scholarships available for military spouses. Check out Bold's Scholarship Blog to learn more about scholarships.

States Offering Free College Tuition for Veterans & Dependents

Several states in the United States offer free college tuition for veterans, active service members, and their dependents. These programs vary by state and may have different eligibility criteria and restrictions. Below is a small list of the states that currently offer free tuition assistance for veterans and military dependents:

1. Arkansas - The Arkansas GI Dependents Scholarship provides free tuition and fees for the dependents of veterans who died in the line of duty or as a result of service-connected injuries or diseases.
2. California - The California College Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents offers free tuition and fees for the dependents of veterans who died in the line of duty or as a result of service-connected injuries or diseases.
3. Florida - The Florida GI Dependent Scholarship provides free tuition and fees for the dependents of veterans who died in the line of duty or due to service-connected injuries or diseases.
4. Maryland - The Maryland Veterans and Military Families Scholarship provides free tuition and fees for veterans who served on active duty during certain periods of war or national emergency and military family members.
5. New York - The New York State Excelsior Scholarship provides free tuition for veterans and their dependents who are New York state residents and meet certain income requirements.

Bold.org Military Spouse Scholarships

Nonie Weikum Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship aims to honor the life of Nonie Weikum, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and devoted military spouse by supporting a military spouse pursuing their education. Any student who is a military spouse of any age or education level may apply for this scholarship. 

Ben Brock Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship aims to honor the life of Ben Brock by supporting lifelong learners who are active military, veterans, or family members of active military or veterans. Any high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student majoring in geography, software engineering, or computer science that are active military member, veteran, or family member of military personnel or veterans may apply.

Above the Peak - Ama Dablam Kesel Family Scholarship

To honor the memory of the beautiful life of Catherine Kesel, this scholarship intends to support family members who have lost a close relative to suicide. Any undergraduate or high school senior from a low-income background with personal experience may apply for this opportunity.

Bold Acts of Service Scholarship

Living selflessly and devoting yourself to serving those around you is a great way to leave a positive impact on the world. Whether you’re helping loved ones, your community, or others in need, acts of service are always appreciated. Any student may apply for this scholarship.

Bryent Smothermon PTSD Awareness Scholarship

To honor Bryent Smothermon's legacy, the Bryent Smothermon PTSD Awareness Scholarship exists to support military veterans and their children and spouses who have suffered from PTSD due to their service. All military vets, military spouses, and children of military vets currently in school are eligible. 

Bold.org offers many active-duty military personnel scholarships to pursue post-secondary education. Serving military personnel are encouraged to browse our scholarship opportunities.