For many military spouses, higher education is essential to achieving personal and professional goals.
This education often comes with a price tag, and many spouses may turn to loans to help finance it.
Fortunately, there are some loan repayment programs available to help erase some of this debt.
Be the first to find out when new loan repayment programs are featured on our site – Register Now!
NHSC programs offer loan repayment in exchange for service at an approved NHSC site. Loan repayment is only available to persons fully trained and licensed to practice in the NHSC-eligible primary care medical, dental, or mental/behavioral health disciplines. If eligibility is met, military spouses can apply.
NURSE Corps programs offer scholarships and loan repayment in exchange for service at an approved NC site. The NCs offers financial assistance for registered nurses (RNs) and advanced practice registered nurses dedicated to working in health care facilities with a critical shortage of nurses; or working as nurse faculty at an eligible school of nursing. If eligibility is met, military spouses can apply.
The loan repayment program funds IHS clinicians to repay their eligible health profession education loans — up to $40,000 — in exchange for an initial two-year service commitment to practice in health facilities serving American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Opportunities are based on Indian health program facilities with the greatest staffing needs in specific health profession disciplines. As a participant, you are eligible to extend your contract annually until your qualified student debt is paid.
Teaching is a popular career among military spouses due to portability. If considering a career in teaching or have already begun pursuing a teaching career consider the government funded teacher loan forgiveness and cancellation programs.
The PSLF Program is intended to encourage individuals to enter and continue to work full-time in public service jobs. If eligibility is met, military spouses can apply.
In addition to Federal student loan forgiveness and repayment programs, most states have their own unique loan forgiveness programs, which cover a variety of borrowers. Eligibility depends on the specific state and program, but most states require:
Does your state have a loan forgiveness program?
The programs vary from state to state but are available for occupations like physicians, veterinarians, dentists, nurses, educators, and more. It’s hard to keep tabs on each state’s programs but
LendEdu has a responsive map that tracks each state’s program.
See the map and learn more>>
To address military spouses’ unique combination of work-life interests and priorities, the Department of Defense (DoD) has established a comprehensive, holistic, spouse-centered program called SECO: Spouse Education and Career Opportunities. It is part of DoD’s commitment to overall spouse health and well-being.
Learn More
Scholarships for Service is a free public resource for students of families with a military service background to search and access thousands of scholarship options. Every scholarship listed here is specifically tailored for active, guard and reserve military, Veterans, retired personnel or their families.
Learn More