Back-to-School Guide for Military Families
Guide for Going Back-to-School for Military Families
When school is back in session, what benefits can help a military family start the new year off right?
Whether you are a military member or spouse going back to school yourself, getting your young children ready for school, or preparing a college-aged student to start their new journey, some benefits can help you along the way. From discounts to scholarships to financial help. Here is a list to help you this new year.
Back-to-School Discounts
A new school year means school supplies and finding the best deal. You know you need to buy some pencils, paper, and other items, so why not get a deal on them? Here are some of the best back-to-school discounts.
JanSport offers a 15% military discount.
Tutor.com offers zero-cost options for DoD service members, civilian personnel, and all dependent family members.
Apple offers both student and military discounts. The options vary depending on whether you choose a student or military deal on Apple products.
EGO Shoes offers 15% off for students.
Foot Locker has a discount of 20% for students.
Journeys offers students get $10 off orders of $75 or more for shoes.
Nike offers a 10% discount to high school students over 16 and U.S.-based college students.
Lee Jeans gives an extra 10% off to students who buy their products.
Levi’s gives a 15% discount to college students with UNiDAYS for a variety of items.
PacSun offers a 10% student discount.
Adobe Creative Cloud offers students 60% off for apps including Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro.
Base Camp is free for students if they attend a K-12 school or university.
Drupalize offers a 40% student discount on personal memberships if you are enrolled in a school of any level worldwide.
Evernote offers 40% off of their Professional package.
Check out more back-to-school discounts on College Recon. You should also be aware of any tax-free weekends and when your state might have theirs to save a little money when purchasing school supplies.
Paying for School
G.I. Bills, Tuition Assistance, MYCAA, and more are all ways for members of the military and their children or spouses to pay for school. Each can be a bit complicated. Here is what you need to know.
- MyCAA: Everything you Need to Know
- Top Schools for Utilizing Military Tuition Assistance Benefits
- Yellow Ribbon Schools & Programs List
- 8 Tips for Using the GI Bill
- How to Switch From Montgomery GI Bill to Post 9/11
- Military Aid Societies And Education Benefits
Best Scholarships for the Military Family
If you have a military child going off to school, or you yourself or your spouse are going to school, it is always helpful to earn extra money for college. Here are some links to different scholarships, for veterans, military spouses, and military children.
- For military spouses, learn more about the National Military Family Association Military Spouse Scholarships, with an average of $1,000.
- View more military spouse scholarships on the Military Spouse Scholarships and Grants page.
- For veterans, see The Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant.
- For military children, see the Fisher House scholarship
Visit the CollegeRecon Scholarship Finder to find more scholarships.
School Prep
Prepping for a new school year could mean changing up your routine, especially if one of the adults in the home is going back to school. Here is some advice and what to think about if you are making that change.
- Military Spouse’s College Guide to Going Back to School
- Back-to-School Shopping Tips
- Veteran’s Guide For Going to Law School
- Money Saving Hacks To Use When One Parent Is In School
- Childcare Options for Military Families
Military Students
There is a lot to know about the benefits you can receive for your military students, especially if you just moved to a new duty station. It would be a good idea to learn more about the Military Interstate Compact, and other benefits for military children.
- PCSing? How the Relocation Assistance Program Can Help
- “Our Military Kids” Provides Grants to Military Children
- PCSing & Your Child’s Education: The Military Interstate Compact
- My Military Child Is Going to College, What About TRICARE?
- Financial Assistance for Your Military Child’s Remote Learning
- Free Tutoring for Military Spouses and Families
About the author
Julie Provost is a freelance writer, and blogger. She lives in Tennessee with her National Guard husband and three boys.