Yes, military spouses and veteran families can get free or low-cost school and training. For spouses, the SpouseWorks Scholarship (the new name for MyCAA) gives up to $4,000 toward a license, certification or associate degree, Onward to Opportunity (O2O) offers free career training and certification prep, and Hiring Our Heroes Amplify runs free two-day career workshops. Children and spouses of disabled or fallen veterans can get tuition waivers at public colleges in states like Texas, California, Illinois and Florida, and 14 colleges offer free or full tuition to any family under an income limit. This page lists 47 options in all, each linked to its official page.
Veteran and military family benefits come first, then college pledges open to any family under an income limit. This page is separate from our veteran training programs and isn't part of the program finder or counts.
Last verified Oct 2026. Every item was checked on its official page. Amounts, rules and dates change, so always confirm on the official page before you apply.
Veteran and military family benefits
For spouses and children of veterans and service members. State waivers need residency in that state.
Texas Hazlewood Act (including Legacy for children)
Texas Veterans Commission
Who's eligible / income limit
No income limit. Texas veterans can pass unused hours to one child at a time (Texas resident, age 25 or younger). Spouses and children of veterans rated 100% service-connected, unemployable, KIA, MIA or who died of service causes may get their own hours.
What it covers
Full tuition and most fees at Texas public colleges, up to 150 credit hours. Not books or living costs.
California College Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents
California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet)
Who's eligible / income limit
Children, spouses and surviving spouses of veterans with service-connected disability or death, under Plans A–D. Plan A has no income limit (a child must be under 27); Plan B has a yearly income limit for the child ($22,941 for 2026–27).
What it covers
Waives all mandatory system-wide tuition and fees at California Community Colleges, CSU and UC. Not books, parking or housing.
Illinois Deceased, Disabled and MIA/POW Veterans' Dependents Scholarship
Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs
Who's eligible / income limit
No income limit. Spouse or child of a veteran who is MIA, a POW, died on active duty, is 100% service-connected disabled, or died of a service-connected disability (Illinois residency rules apply).
What it covers
Full tuition and mandatory fees at Illinois state-supported colleges and universities, up to the equal of 4 years.
Deadline
None listed; the benefit expires 12 years after you enroll.
Florida Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans (CSDDV)
Florida Department of Education
Who's eligible / income limit
No income limit. Dependent children (ages 16–22) and certain spouses of Florida veterans who died of service causes, are 100% permanently and totally disabled, or are POW/MIA.
What it covers
Full tuition and required fees at Florida public colleges (at least 6 credit hours a term). Private schools get a smaller fixed award.
Deadline
Florida Financial Aid Application by April 1, 2027 for fall 2027 priority.
Household income $200,000 or less with typical assets.
What it covers
Full tuition, often more for incomes under $200K. No loans. Pell Grants, state scholarships and outside tuition benefits, including VA education benefits, count toward the full-tuition pledge (Vanderbilt admissions FAQ).
Family income $200,000 or below with typical assets (Penn's chart: liquid assets of $50,000 or less, no business or farm, and no real estate besides your home).
What it covers
At least full tuition, no loans. Under $75,000: tuition, fees, housing and dining.
The new name for MyCAA. Money toward a license, certification or associate degree, now open to spouses of every rank.
Who's eligible
Spouses of active-duty, National Guard and Reserve members in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Space Force on qualifying Title 10 orders. All ranks and pay grades.
What it covers
Up to $4,000 for a license, certification or associate degree, or continuing education to keep a license.
In-state tuition for spouses of active-duty members
Federal law (Higher Education Act §135, 20 U.S.C. 1015d)
A lower, in-state tuition rate at public colleges in your duty state, and you keep it after a move.
Who's eligible
Spouses of service members on active duty for more than 30 days.
What it covers
Not a cash award. Public colleges must charge you no more than the in-state rate in your state of domicile or the state of the permanent duty station. You keep that rate while you stay enrolled after a PCS.
A competitive scholarship and leadership program for full-time students, including military and surviving spouses.
Who's eligible
Military spouses and surviving spouses (also service members and veterans). You must be enrolled full-time at an accredited U.S. college or university.
What it covers
Award varies. Includes a leadership program.
Deadline
Opens Dec 1 each year. The window can run from November to February.
An Army grant for spouses and widows working on their first degree or first technical certification.
Who's eligible
Spouses of Army soldiers who are active duty, retired, medically retired, Grey Area retirees, or AGR and USAR on Title 10 orders. Spouses of soldiers who died on active duty or in retirement also qualify. For a first undergraduate degree or first technical certification.
National Military Family Association + University of Maryland Global Campus
A small award toward your first two classes at UMGC, for spouses just starting a degree there.
Who's eligible
Spouses of active-duty, Reserve or National Guard members who are new or current UMGC students with 0–30 credits, working on a first undergraduate degree at UMGC.
What it covers
Up to $1,500, covering up to two courses (6 credits). UMGC only.
Help paying for a short certification or part-time college classes, for Air Force and Space Force spouses.
Who's eligible
Spouses of Air Force and Space Force members on active duty, Title 10 Reserve and Guard on extended active duty, and Title 32 Guard on full-time active duty.
What it covers
Up to $2,500 for 3–12 week certifications or part-time undergraduate study. Recipients can also get an Education Childcare Grant.
Deadline
2026: open from January until funds run out. Once per year.
Free two-day workshops on resumes, interviews and networking for military spouses.
Who's eligible
Military spouses as HOH defines them, including active-duty, veteran, Guard/Reserve and Gold Star spouses, domestic partners and caregivers. You register, send a resume and wait for confirmation.
What it covers
Free two-day workshops, virtual or in person, to build your resume, practice interviews and prepare for networking and salary talks. Travel and lodging aren't confirmed as covered.
Deadline
Dates are on the HOH event calendar. Space is limited.
U.S. Department of Justice (enforces); federal law (SCRA, 50 U.S.C. 4025a)
Moving on orders? Federal law lets you keep using your professional license in your new state.
Who's eligible
Service members and their spouses who have a covered license, move to another state because of military orders, and apply to the licensing office in the new state.
What it covers
Lets you keep using your professional license in the new state. The state may run a background check. Licensure compacts take priority where they exist.
Deadline
Ongoing. The updated law took effect Dec 23, 2024.
Spouse relicensing and business-cost reimbursement
Each military service (Army page shown)
After a move across state lines, your service member can be paid back for your relicensing and business costs.
Who's eligible
Service members whose spouse has relicensing, certification or business costs after a PCS move across state lines. Army, Navy and Marine Corps; other services, check with your branch.
What it covers
Up to $1,000 for relicensing plus up to $1,000 for business costs per PCS. The money is paid to the service member.
One-on-one career help for you while your service member gets ready to leave the military.
Who's eligible
Spouses of transitioning service members who are within two years of retirement or 365 days of separation, through TAP at a listed location (in person or virtual).
A DoD job board full of employers who have promised to hire and promote military spouses.
Who's eligible
Military spouses.
What it covers
A job board that connects you with hundreds of employers who have committed to recruit, hire, promote and keep military spouses. Partner employers may not charge spouses fees.
Military Spouse Noncompetitive Appointing Authority
OPM (all federal agencies)
A faster way into federal jobs for military spouses and surviving spouses.
Who's eligible
Spouses of active-duty members, spouses of 100% disabled members injured on active duty, and widows or widowers (not remarried) of members killed on active duty.
What it covers
Federal agencies may hire you without the usual competition. It's up to the agency, not guaranteed.
Deadline
Ongoing. Unlimited permanent appointments through Dec 31, 2028. From Jan 1, 2029, one per PCS, tied to PCS orders.
A foundation scholarship for spouses of the fallen that can cover school, living costs and child care.
Who's eligible
Spouses of any age of fallen service members. Remarried spouses can still apply. College applicants are asked for a VA education eligibility letter (Chapter 33 or 35).
What it covers
Based on your costs: up to $7,500 a year (fall and spring) and $5,000 for summer, with an $80,000 lifetime max. Can cover tuition, books, living costs and child care.
Deadline
Closed for 2026–2027. See official page for the next window.
Hope For The Warriors Military Spouse & Caregiver Scholarships
Hope For The Warriors
Scholarships for spouses and caregivers of wounded post-9/11 veterans, and for spouses of the fallen.
Who's eligible
Spouses or caregivers of post-9/11 service members or veterans with a combat-related injury and/or a 100% permanent and total VA disability rating (including IU). A 'Restoring Family' track serves spouses of the fallen.
What it covers
Paid to your school for tuition, books and supplies. Award varies.
Deadline
Fall cycle Mar 1–Apr 30. Spring cycle Aug 1–Sep 30. You need an intake referral first.
Virginia Military Survivors & Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP)
Virginia Dept. of Veterans Services
Virginia waives tuition and mandatory fees at its public colleges for spouses of fallen or severely disabled veterans.
Who's eligible
Current spouses of veterans rated totally and permanently disabled or at least 90% disabled from service (Tier 1), or of members killed, MIA, POW or 90%+ from combat (Tier 2). You must be admitted to a Virginia public college. The veteran must meet a 5-year Virginia domicile rule.
What it covers
Waives all tuition and mandatory fees for eight semesters at a Virginia public college or university. Tier 2 also gets a stipend.
New York helps pay college costs for spouses of service members who died or were severely disabled.
Who's eligible
Spouses of service members who served while New York residents and died, went missing in action, or became severely and permanently disabled. Full-time students (12+ credits).
What it covers
Up to the cost of attendance, capped at the SUNY average. No income limits.
Deadline
Open year-round. File the FAFSA and TAP each year.
Maryland Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Memorial Scholarship
Maryland Higher Education Commission
Maryland help with tuition and fees for unremarried surviving spouses of 100% disabled service members.
Who's eligible
Surviving spouses (not remarried) of service members who had a service-connected 100% permanent disability. Maryland residency required.
What it covers
Up to tuition and fees at the most expensive University System of Maryland 4-year school. The max award for 2025-2026 is $13,689. Depends on available funds.
Wisconsin Dept. of Veterans Affairs (state benefit)
A Wisconsin state benefit that covers tuition and fees at state schools for spouses of disabled or fallen veterans.
Who's eligible
Spouses of veterans who entered service as Wisconsin residents (or lived in Wisconsin three years in a row) and have at least a 30% service-connected disability rating, or who died in service or from service-connected causes. You must meet the school's residency rules for tuition.
What it covers
A state tuition remission: full tuition and segregated fees for up to eight semesters or 128 credits at UW System and WTCS schools.
For other help, such as federal Pell Grants, file the FAFSA.
Skills for Vets is not affiliated with any program listed here. Listing a program doesn't mean you qualify or will get an award. Found a broken link or outdated detail? Email info@skillsforvets.org.
