Continuing education is an amazing way for foreign-born military spouses to shape their lives in the United States. There is a huge range of services and opportunities available to military spouses, but where to start?
In Person Learning Resources
On Base Education Center
On every base, there is an education center (often called the Education Services Office) which provides services and programs to active duty, retirees, civilians and family members.
While services vary by installation, most base education centers provide:
- Education Planning & Advising – One-on-one academic and career counseling, and guidance on choosing accredited colleges and programs
- Tuition Assistance & Funding Guidance – Assistance with navigating Military Tuition Assistance, information on GI Bill benefits, Scholarship and financial aid guidance and support understanding transfer credits
- Credential & Transcript Support – Information on credential evaluations for foreign degrees, transcript review, college application support and testing services (CLEP, DSST, proctored exams)
- On-Base & Online Education Programs – Connections to partner colleges offering classes on base or online, information about certificate programs and workforce training, professional development resources
- Career & Transition Support – Resume workshops, career assessments, referrals to employment resources
For foreign-born military spouses especially, education centers can be helpful in understanding U.S. academic systems, identifying credential evaluation services, and mapping out pathways to licensure or continued education. Simply walk in or reach out via email and ask about the services provided. Even if they can’t help you with a specific issue they can point you in the right direction.
UMGC (University of Maryland Global Campus) Europe/Asia:
UMGC (or sometimes known as Maryland Global Campus) is known for its flexible online learning options for adult learners – particularly veterans, active duty members and military spouses. They also provide in person learning options, not only in the U.S. but also on military bases and other locations in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and more, offering education wherever military life takes you.
UMGC offers:
- Over 130 undergraduate and graduate degrees, certificates, and specializations
- Flexible course schedules and online learning
- Credit for military training and experience
- Tuition benefits for service members and their families
It is a brilliant option for military spouses – if you are interested in learning more take a look at their website or reach out to your local base’s education center for more information!
Online Learning options
Coursera
If you are looking for online learning options, Coursera is the perfect place to start. Through our partnership, foreign-born military spouses can gain access to their online platform for free! This opportunity will allow our members to access a huge range of certifications, courses and degree programs. No matter the area of interest, whether it is health, IT, Humanities or Business, there is something for you.
Our Education Support team is working hard to build our platform to support this empowering opportunity. If you’d like to be notified when enrollment opens, sign up here and get on the waitlist.
Udemy
Udemy is a self-paced online learning platform with courses in a range of areas. Military Spouses are able to gain free, unlimited access to over 5,000 top Udemy courses via the MySECO program for career development. This includes fields like IT, project management, and human resources. Simply register via MySECO to begin your learning journey!
Financial Assistance
Post 9/11 GI Bill:
The GI Bill is a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) program that provides educational assistance and training benefits to qualifying veterans, service members, and their dependents. It can be used to pay for college degrees, vocational training, apprenticeships, and licensing/certifications. The benefit also covers costs such as housing and books and supplies related to the educational training.
Qualifying service members can transfer their GI Bill benefits to spouses making this an invaluable financial resource for spouses looking to pursue further education.
MyCAA
The My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) program provides up to $4,000 in financial assistance for eligible spouses of active-duty service members. Currently, active-duty service members and spouses of National Guard and reserve members on Title 10 orders in grades E-1 through E-9, W-1 through W-3 and O-1 through O-3 are eligible for the scholarship.
MyCAA can be used for:
- Associate degrees
- Certificates and licenses
- Portable career fields (healthcare, IT, education, business, etc.)
This is especially helpful for foreign-born military spouses looking to develop a career that can move with you. Volunteers at FMSN have utilised this scholarship and highly recommend it. The process is very quick and efficient. It is also recommended that spouses looking to use the MyCAA scholarship also take advantage of the SECO careers coaches who can help guide you through the process and encourage you to chase your aspirations.
It is important to note that these are not the only financial resources available to you! If these do not fit your personal requirements or circumstances, take a look at FMSN’s database of resources. Or reach out to one of our Education Support Coordinators here. Our dedicated team can provide more information and personal guidance for your situation and goals.
Final Thoughts
Foreign-born military spouses are not simply dependents. Long before we met our American spouses, we were building lives shaped by years of education, training, and professional dedication. We were lawyers, IT Consultants, fundraisers, psychologists. We had our own aspirations and goals. Then love caused us to take a slightly (very!) different path…
Choosing to become a military spouse often means leaving behind not only our home countries, but also the careers and aspirations we worked so hard to build. It means starting over in a new system, often in a new language, under new rules.
We know what it feels like when your credentials are dismissed, when your degrees are questioned, when the countless hours you spent studying seem suddenly invisible. We know the burden of translation fees, transfer evaluations, and licensing hurdles that stand between you and the career you once had.
Just remember, your experience still matters. Your education still counts. And your future is still yours to build. Take every opportunity you can and continue chasing those dreams
How FMSN Can Help
You don’t have to navigate this alone! The Foreign-Born Military Spouse Network (FMSN) provides:
- Education and plain-language guidance from an experienced Education and Careers Coordinator
- Credential Transfers
- Community spaces where spouses can ask questions safely