Where to Find Scholarship Resources
It is scholarship season so this month I am focusing on scholarships in the Mentorship-HUB. This week it is all about the resources, next week how to get organized, then we'll talk about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), next is the scholarship essays, and we'll wrap up the month talking about references. Be sure to catch these discussions each week in the HUB and comment your questions and tips!
Here are just a few resources to start:
Spouse Education and Career Opportunities SECO
My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA). This provides up to $4,000 for those whose spouse is on active duty title 10 orders. This program has recently expanded to cover more senior NCO spouses. This can cover some graduate certificates.
SECO Scholarship Finder. This is a newer feature for SECO. You can include the types of scholarships you are searching for.
Education Center
The education center on post, through the Reserves or Guard includes a requirement to share scholarship information. They may also provide opportunities to take College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams to provide free college credit.
Relief agencies
Each relief agency has their own scholarship program and has their own requirements. Some also provide 0% interest loans!
Army Emergency Relief (AER).
Air Force Aid Society (includes Space Force).
GI Bill
Your spouse may be able to transfer your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to a dependent family member if you’re on active duty or in the Selected Reserve and you meet all of the requirements outlined on this site.
State specific veteran education benefits
Each state has their own veteran programs. Some offer free tuition to spouses. Some of these cover post-graduate degrees.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA)
Even if you do not feel you would qualify for financial aid in the form of grants or loans, you may still need to fill out the FASFA for some scholarships or to receive grants at some schools.
National Military Family Association (NMFA)
NMFA has a variety of scholarships and grants. Their programs include post-graduate work and even entrepreneurship.
Fisher Houses's Scholarship Search Engine
This site provides information on specific scholarships, but it also has a search engine if you scroll down the page!
Professional organizations
Many professional organizations offer scholarships for those who are seeking to enter or advance in a career field.
Your school
Your school has some great resources to assist in your being able to afford school.
Financial aid office. The financial office has information about grants, scholarships, and loans. Know they are not the only source of assistance at the school.
School specific scholarships for program or departments. Many programs have specific scholarships just for students in a specific program. The financial aid office may or may not be aware of all of the programs so be sure to ask your specific program.
Work Study programs. There are a variety of different work study programs to include teaching assistant, tutoring, jobs in a department, and other jobs on campus. Not all positions require financial need. There are also other jobs on campus that can assist.
Local resources
Often we are so focused on the big scholarships, we forget about the local resources that may hep us.
Spouse clubs. Many spouse clubs have scholarships. Some limit them to those in undergraduate programs, but others include post graduate programs.
High school guidance offices. Even though you may have graduated from high school, some guidance offices have scholarship lists and will send out regular emails. Give them a call. You do not have to be or have a student at some schools to be included in the distribution.
Library. Your local library has connections and may have a scholarship data base.
Civic organizations. Civic organizations such as the Lion's Club, Knights of Columbus, Eagle's Club, League of Women Voters, and others have scholarships. Some of these may include post graduate opportunities.
Please share additional resources that you know about in the HUB, where you can catch Rose’s weekly topics!
Rose Holland has served the military community for over 30 years in a variety of roles as a volunteer and family program staff. Through this work, she has seen many inequities imposed upon military families. Her passion to assist military families is driven by her own experience as a military spouse of almost 33 years and has shaped the service she provides. Rose became an activist for military families in the area of career and employment, serving as a career counselor and providing corporate and local organizations insights into the military world and helping the community understand the hidden talent pool of military families.
Rose has a BBA in Finance from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, a Master’s in Theological Studies with a focus on pastoral care from Saint Norbert College in DePere Wisconsin, and a Doctorate in Education with a focus in Educational Sustainability at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. Her dissertation project focused on military spouses in federal employment and their perceptions of perceptions of federal position during the pandemic.
