Spouse careers & scholarships

Money for training, and ways to keep your license when you move.

✓ Checked Oct 14, 2026

The big one

SpouseWorks Scholarship (formerly MyCAA)

Up to $4,000 toward a license, a certification or an associate degree, or continuing-education courses to keep a license or certification you need for work.

New: it's now open to spouses of every rank and pay grade. It used to be limited to junior ranks, so if you were turned away before, check again.

My spouse is on active duty, or in the Guard or Reserve on qualifying Title 10 orders (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force or Space Force) I have a high school diploma or GED

Tick both to check.

Check eligibility & apply

Source: Military OneSource, SpouseWorks Scholarship. Free career coaching: SpouseWorks (formerly SECO) through Military OneSource, +1 800-342-9647.

Air Force & Space Force spouses

"Bee" Arnold Spouse Tuition Program

Up to $2,500 for short job-training programs and certifications (3–12 weeks) or part-time undergraduate study. For spouses of active-duty Air Force and Space Force members (and certain Guard and Reserve). Apply once a year on the AFAS portal (2026 funding runs until it's used up) with proof of enrollment, the tuition cost, your dependent ID and your sponsor's orders. Approved spouses can also get a childcare grant.

AFAS: Bee Arnold program

General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant

A need-based grant (it uses your FAFSA) for spouses and dependent children. The amount depends on need and the year's budget. Applications for 2026–2027 are closed; the next round opens in early January 2027.

AFAS: Arnold Education Grant

Source: Air & Space Forces Aid Society (afas.org), education department +1 703-972-2647.

More scholarships

NMFA Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse ScholarshipFor spouses of all uniformed services: degrees, certificates, licenses, continuing education and more. You reapply each year.
NMFA
Onward to Opportunity (O2O)Free, self-paced certification prep from Syracuse University's IVMF. Spouses who are currently unemployed also get one certification exam paid for.
IVMF
Homefront Scholars (Pioneer Military Credit)$1,000, one winner a year, with an essay. Check the page for this year's dates.
Pioneer
Transferred GI BillIf your spouse has served at least 6 years and agrees to serve 4 more, they can transfer up to 36 months of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to you.
VA

Keep your license when you move

Interstate compacts let some licensed professionals work in other member states without starting over.

Nursing (RN, LPN)Nurse Licensure Compact
States →
TeachingNASDTEC Interstate Agreement
States →
Physical therapyPT Compact
States →

Jobs on base

The base hires spouses too: civilian (appropriated fund) jobs and Force Support (non-appropriated fund) jobs.

Civilian Personnel Office NAF Human Resources

Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of War (formerly the Department of Defense), the U.S. Air Force, the 52nd Force Support Squadron or any program named here. Programs change: check the official page before you plan around it, and tell us if something is out of date: [email protected]. Made by Nathan Park · Mammoth Capital.