Air Force
STAP is sponsored by the AF Aid Society and pays up to $300 per term or 50 percent of tuition whichever is less. The annual limit is $1,500 per academic year. Spouses have to apply for each academic term (five per year).
STAP will pay toward CONTRACTED PROGRAMS offered by Central Texas College, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, University of Maryland University College, the University of Oklahoma and the University of Phoenix.
Spouse need to submit their application via the STAP Portal at https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/stap.
As a result of recent manpower cuts, Air Force STAP will cease to exist as of 31 July 2012. Spouses residing in OCONUS pursuing an undergraduate degree on a full-time basis, can now apply to the Arnold H Grant Program for AY 2012 – 2013. Application deadline for spouses OCONUS has been extended to 30 March 2012. The grant provides $2,000 in tuition for any school approved by the US Department of Education for participation in Title IV programs . To access the Arnold Grant information and application, go to www.afas.org/Education/ArnoldEdGrant.cfm
ARMY
OSEAP (Overseas Spouse Education Assistance Program) is sponsored by Army Emergency Relief and pays up to $500 per term or 50 percent of tuition whichever is less. The annual limit is $2,500 per academic year. OSEAP will pay toward traditional college courses offered at the education center, English as a Second Language (ESL), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), General Equivalency Diploma (GED), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and Defense Activities Non-Traditional Educational Support (DANTES) exams.
The application can be downloaded by visiting: www.aerhq.org
For Overseas Spouses, the OSEAP application and the renewal process for academic year 2011-2012 will continue as normal through term 5 (May 7, 2012). The procedure will be changing for the academic year 2012/2013 and the application deadline is April 2, 2012, for the whole school year beginning Sep 2012.
Navy
Need-based no interest loans are available to spouses residing with their active duty service member sponsor, stationed outside the United States. STAP no interest loans are available for part-time and full-time undergraduate and graduate studies. STAP offers loans of up to $3,000 per 12 month period and offers qualified spouses an excellent opportunity to complete an undergraduate or graduate degree when stationed overseas. Students have up to 24 months to repay the loan. More information can be found at www.nmcrs.org.
Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA)
The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program provides up to $4,000 (over two years) of Financial Assistance for military spouses who are pursuing degree programs or licenses or credentials leading to employment in portable career fields. Spouses of active duty service members in pay grades E1-E5, W1-W2, and O1-O2, as well as the spouses of activated Guard and Reserve members within those ranks are eligible. Spouses of Guard and Reserve members must be able to start and complete their courses while their sponsor is on Title 10 orders.
MyCAA Financial Assistance (FA) pays tuition for education and training courses, and licensing/ credentialing fees. This includes state certifications for teachers, medical professionals and other occupations requiring recognized certifications, licensing exams and related prep courses, Continuing Education Unit classes including those offered through professional associations, and degree programs leading to employment in Portable Career Fields. MyCAA also pays for High School Completion courses, GED tests and English as a Second Language classes. More information can be found at https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa.