Service Members Opportunity College (SOC)
SOC is an organization of approximately 1800 colleges and universities that are working together to assist U.S. Military service members and their families continue their education and pursue degrees around military careers and life in the military.
U.S Army
The U.S. Army has several programs available for Army service members, their spouses, and dependents. The Army Emergency Relief also has some educational benefit programs available.
- Loan Repayment Program (LRP) is a program which helps Army service members repay student loans
- SOCAD is a section of SOC that has degree programs specifically designed for Army service members and their families
- Dependent Children Scholarships is a program administered by the Army Relief Society for Army service member dependents
- Overseas Spouse Education Assistance Program (OSEAP) is a program that provides tuition assistance to Army spouses living overseas with their service member spouse
- Stateside Spouse Scholarship Assistance Program is a program which provides tuition assistance to Army service member spouses living within the United States
- The Tuition Assistance Program assists with the cost of tuition for off duty classes
U.S. Air Force
The U.S. Air Force has educational benefits programs for Air Force service members and their families. There are also educational benefits available through the Air Force Aid Society.
- Air Force Tuition Assistance provides tuition assistance for off-duty education
- The College Loan Repayment Program assists Air Force service members repay student loans
- The General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program assists dependents and stateside spouses with tuition costs
- The General George S. Brown Spouse Tuition Program (STAP) assists spouses stationed overseas with their Air Force service member spouse pursue further education
A major educational benefit available to Air Force service members and their families that is not available to other branches of the U.S. Military is the Community College of the Air Force. This is a community college which provides online courses and distance learning for Air Force service members and their families and the degree programs are designed with them in mind.
U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps
Many of the educational benefits provided for Navy and Marine Corps service members are the same or similar. The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society also provides education benefits for eligible service members and their families.
- The Tuition Assistance Program provides tuition assistance for Navy and Marine Corps service members to further their education during off duty hours
- The Loan Repayment Program assists Navy service members repay student loans
- SOCMAR and SOCNAV are sections of SOC specifically designed for Navy and Marine Corps service members and their families
- The Vice Admiral E.P. Travers Loan Program provides dependents and stateside spouses with tuition aid
- The Admiral Mike Boorda Seaman to Admiral Program assists enlisted seamen and marines enrolled in certain commissioning programs pay continued education costs
- The Spouse Tuition Aid Program assists spouses of Navy and Marine Corps service members who are overseas with their service member spouse with tuition costs
U.S. Coast Guard
The U.S. Coast Guard has similar educational benefits available to help service members, their spouses, and dependants complete their education.
- The Coast Guard's Tuition Assistance Program covers up to $4,500 yearly, partially covering post-secondary education and fully covering high-school-level classes
- The Coast Guard Foundation Education Grant (CGFEG) and Vander Putten Education Grant (VPEG) both help service members cover extraneous costs, like text books and other supplies
- SOCCOAST is a section of SOC designed specifically for U.S. Coast Guard members
Taking Advantage of Education Benefits
Be sure to do your research before choosing programs. Talk to education specialists in your branch to find which benefits you qualify for. Remember, your continued education is important both for you and your country. Taking advantage of these and other education benefits can help you earn a degree or complete one you've already started.
Army Tuition Assistance
The Army College Fund (MGIB Kicker)
GoArmyEd Program for Global Education
Navy Tuition Assistance
The Navy Advanced Education Voucher Program (AEV)
The Navy College-at-Sea (NCPACE)
Coast Guard Tuition Assistance
Continue Your Education with the U.S. Coast Guard Tuition Assistance Program
Get Paid to Finish College with the Coast Guard College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative
Marine Tuition Assistance
Marine Deployed Education Program
NROTC Scholarship (Marine Option)
Air Force Tuition Assistance
The Community College of the Air Force (CCAF)
Learn More About Branch-Specific Education Benefits
Continue Your Education with the U.S. Air Force Tuition Assistance Program
Continue Your Education with the U.S. Marine Corps Tuition Assistance Program
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