If you’ve hit a financial hardship, need educational resources or you’re about to undertake a large financial obligation, we’ve collected these resources specifically geared towards the military community to help you and your family.
Military One Source is a leader in providing free confidential help to service members, immediate family members and, in some cases, Department of Defense civilians. Their financial services include tax consultation and filing services, health and wellness coaching and financial counseling. More information can be found at www.militaryonesource.mil or by calling (800) 342-9647.
MilSpouse Money Mission provides free financial resources for military spouses. Their site, vetted by the Department of Defense Office of Financial Readiness, offers blogs, videos, financial calculators and Spanish resources designed to educate and empower. More information can be found at https://www.milspousemoneymission.org.
Military Saves, a component of America Saves, and a participant in the Department of Defense Financial Readiness Network seeks to motivate, support and encourage military families to save money, reduce debt and build wealth. More information can be found at https://militarysaves.org.
MilCents is a social learning program created to empower military families in personal finance through free resources, online events and conversations with peers and experts. More information can be found at https://militaryfamilyadvisorynetwork.org/milcents.
Operation Homefront is a national nonprofit dedicated to building strong, stable and secure military families. They offer critical financial assistance and transitional housing programs, permanent housing and caregiver support services and recurring family support programs. More information can be found at https://www.operationhomefront.org or by calling (210) 659-7756.
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) offers financial grants through their unmet needs program, designed to help America’s military families who have run into unexpected financial difficulties as a result of deployment or other military-related activity or injury. The program provides financial aid grants of up to $1,500 to assist with basic life needs in the form of a grant so no repayment is required. To further ease the burden, VFW pays the creditor directly. For more information, visit: https://www.vfw.org/assistance/financial-grants.
USA Cares is provides financial and advocacy assistance to post-9/11 active duty US military service personnel, veterans and their families. Their services work to improve quality of life and to reduce potential factors that contribute to veteran suicide. For more information, visit: https://usacares.org.
Federal Student Aid has gathered scholarships and loan repayment assistance resources available to military families. Both the federal government and nonprofit organizations offer money for college to veterans, future military personnel, active duty personnel, or those related to veterans or active duty personnel. For more information visit: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/military.
The American Red Cross works in partnership with military aid societies to provide quality, reliable financial assistance to eligible applicants 24/7/365. Assistance can include funds for emergency travel, burial of a loved one, emergency food and shelter, etc. More information can be found https://www.redcross.org/get-help/military-families/financial-assistance.html or by calling (877) 272-7337.
The Air Force Aid Society is the official charity of the U.S. Air Force and has been meeting the unique needs of airmen by providing emergency financial assistance, educational support and community programs. More information can be found https://afas.org or by calling (703) 972-2650.
Army Emergency Relief offers zero-interest loans, grants and educational scholarships for Army families. More information can be found at https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org or by calling 866-878-6378.
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society provides financial, educational and other assistance to members of the Naval Service of the United States, eligible family members, and survivors when in need. More information can be found at https://www.nmcrs.org or by calling (800) 654-8364.
The Coast Guard Mutual Assistance empowers families to meet their future financial challenges by promoting financial stability and education. They offer counseling, short-term interest-free loans, financial grants, referrals and other related means to Coast Guard families. More information can be found at https://www.cgmahq.org or by calling (800) 881-2462.
For more stories like this, including how to save, build retirement, navigate insurance and more, download our 2020 Military Money Guide.
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