The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society office at Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, as seen on Feb. 12, 2026. (Ryan M. Breeden/Stars and Stripes)
The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society has opened its application window for scholarships, grants and interest-free loans to sailors, Marines and their family members pursuing vocational training or higher education, the society announced recently.
The relief society — an independent nonprofit that works with the Department of the Navy — said it will accept applications until April 17. The window opened Monday, according to a news release Feb. 9.
Last year the society awarded a total of $517,000 in scholarships and $44,000 in interest-free loans to nearly 500 families, according to the release.
Shannon Bezold, a Marine Corps spouse and mother of three living in Minnesota, said by phone Friday that her scholarship awards have relieved stress and allowed her to focus on her education. The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society referred Bezold to Stars and Stripes.
Bezold earned a degree from Florida State University in interdisciplinary social sciences focusing on homeland security and emergency management, she said by text message Tuesday.
“Being a military spouse has its own unique set of challenges,” she said. “Going after your education or following up with your education doesn’t need to be one of those challenges.”
The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society office at Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, as seen on Feb. 12, 2026. (Ryan M. Breeden/Stars and Stripes)
Spouses and children younger than 23 of active-duty or retired sailors and Marines are encouraged to apply. Children of deceased sailors and Marines are also eligible. Active-duty, enlisted sailors and Marines in the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program or Medical Enlisted Commissioning Program may also apply, according to the society’s website.
Eligible applicants are full-time or part-time students maintaining at least a 2.0 GPA and pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees at accredited two- or four-year colleges, technical schools or vocational institutions, according to the release. Scholarships awards range from $500 to $3,000; interest-free loans are available for up to $4,000.
Awards are based on the applicants’ financial needs. Applications are available online.
The society provides “assistance, trusted compassionate support, financial support during times of need,” Dawn Culter, a retired rear admiral and the society’s executive vice president and chief operations officer, said by phone Thursday. “It’s not just the short-term assistance; we’re focused on long-term financial stability. The education assistance program is just one part of many programs that are available.”
The Navy-Marine Corps Aid Society, founded in 1904, reported it provided over $47 million in financial assistance in 2025 and assisted over 211,000 active-duty and retired sailors, Marines and their families, according to its website.
“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,” Navy spouse Rebecca Ferjo said in the release. “It reminds me that I am not alone in this journey.”
