Beginning in the 2025-26 academic year, students will be offered a combination of interest-free loans and grants, with the option to choose which type of funding they would like to accept.

Interest-Free Loans

These loans offer financial support without the burden of interest. Repayment begins 6 months after a student completes their undergraduate degree.

Board of Director’s Grants

Grants allocated by our board members to support promising students in achieving their academic goals.

Donor Designated Scholarships

These scholarships are generously contributed by our donors or MOAA chapters and council. Students chosen will receive a $500 grant named by the donor.

Senior Grants

Available for renewing students only and awarded to rising college seniors with a 3.0 GPA or higher. Students who submit a renewal application in their junior year of college will automatically be considered. Note: Senior grants are subject to available funding. Even if a student meets all qualifying requirements, they may not receive a Senior Grant.

American Patriot Scholarship

Awarded to children whose parent died while on active-duty service or is receiving Traumatic Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (T-SGLI) payments.

General John Paul Ratay Grant

Awarded to children of officers who retired from service and subsequently passed away.

Special Grants

Our special grants are tailored to specific criteria, such as high academic achievement, financial need (low-income households), military service background (deceased military parent), or college grade level. The availability and amount of these grants depend on the number of students in our program and our annual budget.

Earning an advanced degree or new certification is often a viable option for many military spouses, especially if you are looking to enter, reenter, transition to a new career field, or find that next step in your professional employment trajectory.

You can find scholarships and grants through federal and state government agencies, your chosen college or university (check with the admissions officer of the school you plan to attend), nonprofit organization (local chapters and national headquarters), private organizations, community spouses club on your installation, Employment Readiness and Education office on your military installation, and the Department of Education for the state in which you reside or will attend school.

Staying organized

Read application directions carefully and follow them. If you are not eligible for a specific scholarship, do not waste your time applying for these opportunities.

Below is a list of scholarships and grants that target military spouses or the greater military community. Although this is not an exhaustive list, hopefully this will get you started in the right direction:

Over 20,000 scholarships have been awarded to children of North Carolina veterans. North Carolina Scholarship Program was created to show its appreciation for the services and sacrifices of its war veterans. The scholarship program applies to North Carolina schools. The scholarship is for eight academic semesters and the recipient has eight years to utilize the eight academic semesters. The Scholarship program has been established for a child, as that term is defined in 37 U.S.C. § 401 of certain class categories of deceased, disabled, combat, or POW/MIA veterans. Applicant must be under the age of 25 at the time of application. The veteran's qualifying criteria must have occurred during a period of war. At time of application, applicant must be domiciled and a resident of North Carolina. The deadline to apply is February 14 if the Veteran's disability is less than 100% service connected or served in a combat zone.