Education scholarships and interest‑free loans offer meaningful support to Navy and Marine Corps families, empowering spouses and children to pursue their dreams.
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) is pleased to announce that applications are now open for its 2026–27 Education Assistance Program, offering grants and interest‑free loans to help Navy and Marine Corps families reach their academic goals. Eligible students can apply online beginning Feb. 16, 2026, through the NMCRS Education Assistance Application website. The application window will close on April 17, 2026.
For more than 60 years, the NMCRS Education Assistance Program has helped thousands of Navy and Marine Corps spouses and children pursue higher education and build brighter futures.
“One of the most rewarding parts of managing this program is seeing its impact up close,” said Andrea Nevin, NMCRS program manager. “From children who take pride in their parent’s service and are eager to make their own mark on the world, to spouses who pursue their dreams while tirelessly supporting their service member, our scholars embody grit, determination, and resilience. Their drive and commitment remind me every day why this program matters.”
Scholarship awards range from $500 to $3,000, and all grants and interest‑free loans are based on financial need and tuition costs. The program is open to full-time and part‑time students maintaining at least a 2.0 GPA and pursuing undergraduate or master’s degrees at accredited two- or four-year colleges, technical schools, or vocational institutions.
Eligibility:
- Children: CTE or undergraduate students under age 23 (as of Sept. 30, 2026) who are dependents of active-duty, retired, or deceased Sailors or Marines.
- Spouses: Those pursuing a CTE program, an initial undergraduate degree, or a master’s degree, and married to an active-duty or retired Sailor or Marine.
- Active duty: Sailors and Marines with specific enlisted-to-officer program orders, MECEP/MECP. Eligible for interest‑free loans only.
Since 1964, NMCRS has provided essential educational support through scholarships and interest‑free loans for the children and spouses of active-duty and retired Marines and Sailors.
Last year alone, the Society distributed $517,000 in scholarships and $44,000 in interest‑free loans, directly uplifting nearly 500 families across the Navy and Marine Corps communities.
“This scholarship not only eases financial stress but also empowers me to continue my studies while balancing the demands of motherhood and the unpredictability of military life,” said Navy spouse Rebecca Ferjo. “My husband’s deployments often place full responsibility for our household on my shoulders, and this award helps make it possible for me to pursue my goals without compromising our family’s well-being. It reminds me that I am not alone in this journey.”
“Earning this degree will open the door to better-paying, stable job opportunities,” said Brianna Ellison, a Marine spouse who received a scholarship. “This support brings me one step closer to achieving both my career and personal goals.”
All NMCRS services and programs, including Education Assistance, are made possible through the generous donations of supporters committed to strengthening military families. To learn more about the NMCRS Education Assistance Program or explore additional ways NMCRS supports active-duty and retired Sailors, Marines, and their families, visit nmcrs.org.
About Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
Founded in 1904, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) is a nonprofit military aid society that operates both ashore and afloat with more than 3,400 volunteers and 185 employees who assist active-duty and retired Sailors, Marines and their eligible family members during times of financial need. NMCRS provides a variety of financial, educational and other assistance and offers interest-free loans and grants for essential needs like food, rent, utilities, vehicle repairs, emergency transportation, disaster relief and more. NMCRS annually supports over 40,000 clients with more than $47 million in financial assistance. In 2025, over 211,000 active-duty and retired Sailors, Marines and their eligible family members received support through the various NMCRS programs and services. NMCRS’ accessibility and personal interaction are major contributing factors to its success and is the only military aid society with offices on the ground in over 213 locations around the globe. Its efficiency and effectiveness are recognized by its 4-star Charity Navigator-rating, and platinum rating for transparency with Candid.
