Military Family Members

Education & Career Planning for Family Members

Military family members serve alongside their Sailors, Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians, and Coast Guard personnel. It's important for your family members to know the value of an education and career planning. This page offers education and career planning resources with a focus on the military family. Some are available to the military member as well. We hope you'll become familiar with these options and share them with others.

Latest DoD News

National Guard Makes Changes to Child Care Program for Troops during Drill Weekends

The National Guard Bureau has launched a second pilot program to offer soldiers in certain states child care during drill weekends after the first attempt launched nearly two years ago failed. READ MORE.

ASVAB Career Exploration Program

The Department of Defense sponsors the ASVAB Career Exploration Program (CEP) with a two-part mission, to provide: a career exploration service to U.S. youth and qualified leads to military recruiters. The ASVAB CEP offers students a chance to explore all paths to careers - college, certifications, apprenticeships, licensure programs, and the Military - in one place.
Career One Stop Scholarship

Search more than 7,500 scholarships, fellowships, grants, and other financial aid award opportunities through the Department of Labor’s Free Careeronestop Scholarship Tool
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Office of Servicemember Affairs (OSA) works to help military families overcome unique financial challenges by providing educational resources, monitoring complaints, and working with other agencies to solve problems faced by servicemembers.

Visit CFPB's website to learn more.
DoD Civilian Employment

MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE
The Military Spouse Preference (MSP) program applies to spouses of active duty military members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the U.S. Coast Guard and full-time National Guard. The program offers opportunities for spouses who desire priority consideration for competitive service positions at DOD activities in the U.S. and its territories and possessions. When a service member is relocated via a permanent change of station (PCS), the spouse is entitled to MSP for all positions in the commuting area of the new duty station; meaning, they must be selected before other best qualified candidates for the position. To be eligible, the spouse must be married to the military sponsor prior to the date of PCS orders, meet all pre-employment criteria, and meet basic qualifications for the position. LEARN MORE!

STUDENTS AND RECENT GRADUATES
The Department of Defense (DOD) invests in the future workforce with an array of student internship programs, recent graduate programs, fellowships, and scholarships. DOD offers students and recent graduates with opportunities to learn from the inside about careers in the Federal Government. These programs provide students and recent graduates with advantages that help position them for future success and motivate them to explore careers in government service. Here at the Department of Defense, we have a position and place for you. Where will you find your fit? LEARN MORE!

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DoD MWR Libraries

DoD MWR Libraries encourage and empower Service members and their families to embrace life-long learning. Because the internet is a popular and powerful tool for information access and education, this DoD joint service initiative is streamlining how MWR provides online access to library services and eResources. Members can search for DoD exam prep materials and other education support; learn a new language; find a tutor; check out digital and audio books; these are just a few services offered in the new one-stop digital library shop. Check it out!
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Fry Scholarship

The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship) provides Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to the children and surviving spouses of Service members who died in the line of duty while on active duty after September 10, 2001. Eligible beneficiaries attending school may receive up to 36 months of benefits at the 100% level.

For more information on the Fry Scholarship, visit Fry Scholarships | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)
Military Child Education Coalition

Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) supports all military-connected children by educating, advocating, and collaborating to resolve education challenges associated with the military lifestyle. MCEC is a professional coalition with a diverse community consisting of public school districts, private schools, colleges and universities, small businesses and corporations, organizations, military commands and installations, military families, and caring individuals from local communities across our Nation ... all for the sake of the child. Visit MCEC at Militarychild.org
Military OneSource

Your Support when MilLife Happens: Military OneSource from the Department of Defense is your 24/7 gateway to trusted information, resources and confidential help. When MilLife happens, it’s your “first line of support” — giving service members and military families tools to stay well and thrive. Visit their website today.
Military One Source Podcast

Turn to the Military OneSource podcast for information, tools and resources on topics unique to the military,
like education, spouse employment, special needs for family members, deployment, relocation, finances, parenting and more. Visit MOS Podcasts today!
MyCAA

The My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) Scholarship Program is a workforce development program that provides up to $4,000 of financial assistance to eligible military spouses who are pursuing a license, certification or Associate’s degree in a portable career field and occupation. But that's not all!

DANTES funds CLEP exams for eligible military spouses too. Click here to learn more about MyCAA.
Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Program

The Survivor and Dependents Education Assistance Program (DEA) program offers education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition or of Veterans who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.

To learn more about DEA, visit Survivors’ And Dependents’ Educational Assistance | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)