Spouse Tuition Aid Program (STAP)

Navy & Marines Spouse Tuition Assistance

In 2009, the Navy/Marines Relief Society (NMRS) changed its program from one making awards not requiring repayment, to one making no-interest loans. Under the current program, overseas spouses can get up to $3,000 per 12-month period to use toward getting an undergraduate or graduate degree. The program change allows the NMRS to fund a greater number of spouses with the same amount of money in their program budget.

Air Force Spouse Tuition Assistance

The Air Force program provides partial tuition assistance by paying up to 50 percent of unmet tuition charges up to $1,500 per academic year. If a spouse has other education assistance, that money first applies to tuition expenses and then STAP will assist with paying the difference not met by other funding sources. Air Force STAP also pays spouses to work on either undergraduate or graduate degrees.

STAP Benefit Eligibility Requirements

Basic eligiblity requirements for all STAPs include:

1. A spouse stationed overseas with her/his sponsoring servicemember
2. A spouse attending school, either on a full-time or part-time basis, in an approved undergraduate or graduate program

However, the Air Force STAP allows spouses to participate in certificate, as well as degree programs.

STAP Program Application Procedures

Each military branch has its own application procedures:

Army: Army OSEAP spouses, applying for the first time, can apply for the program by filling out an online application. The following supporting documentation must also be sent in:

• the 2010/2011 OSEAP Online Application
• a copy of Soldier's Leave and Earning Statement (L.E.S.), dated no more than two months prior to the term deadline month. If the spouse is working, a copy of her/his pay statement is required along with the LES
• PSC Orders assigning sponsoring servicemember overseas
• If the spouse has prior service, add a copy of the his/her Discharge Order or DD214

Spouses renewing in the program must also add a grade transcript verifying cumulative GPA of at least a 2.0 on a 4.0 grading scale.

Navy & Marines: Overseas Navy and Marine spouses must see their Base Education Office to apply for the program and work out a program budget.

Air Force: The spouse must complete AFAS Form 90A, which is available at each Base Education Office. A copy of sponsoring member's Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) is also required. Depending on the base, spouses may have to initial a base specific program addendum.

STAP Deadlines

Again, each branch establishes its own deadlines for application.

Army: The Army's OSEAP has five terms per academic year. All supporting documentation must be either scanned in and emailed, or physically mailed in and postmarked, by the term deadline date.

Navy & Marines: The Navy/Marines STAP does not have a deadline, so spouses can apply anytime in person at their Base Education Office.

Air Force: For Air Force STAP, spouses must contact their Family Readiness Center for the current term deadlines.