The Army Active Duty STAP is in place to provide education benefits for the spouses of personnel stationed overseas. This program provides grants which can cover up to 50 percent of tuition costs. These funds are provided on a needs basis.
Basic Overview of STAP
STAP assistance is offered by all branches of the military in some form. Army Emergency Relief administers STAP for active duty members through the Overseas Spouse Education Assistance Program (OSEAP).
It helps military spouses pay for the cost of post-secondary education which will help them improve their employment prospects. If a spouse is able to qualify for free tuition through his or her workplace, STAP funds will not be available to pay for tuition costs. Funding may be available to pay for books, course fees or supplies.
How to Qualify for the Spouse Tuition Aid Program
To qualify for funding under the Spouse Tuition Aid program, the spouse must be living overseas with the sponsoring serviceman or woman. The spouse who is requesting the tuition assistance must be attending an approved undergraduate or graduate program.
Limitations of Army Active Duty STAP
STAP is not available to spouses of Army Active Duty personnel stationed in the following locations:
- Alaska
- Hawaii
- Puerto Rico
The funds provided under STAP can only be used toward the cost of a first undergraduate degree. Up to $500 per term will be provided and the annual cap for funding under this program is $2,500.
STAP-eligible courses must provide high school equivalency training or academic credit. Grants for ESL (English as a Second Language) courses may be provided. A spouse who wants to enroll in a GED program may also be able to obtain financial assistance under STAP.
The spouse must be living overseas at the time the application for funding is made. He or she must also have been accepted, pending acceptance or enrolled as a student for the full term in a post-secondary degree or vocational program.
The educational program must be offered by an approved institution. The school is required to ust have entered into a contract with the Department of Defense command. Off post schools and graduate schools are not eligible for funding under STEP.
Getting Started with the Spouse Tuition Aid Program
People who would like to be considered for a grant through the Spouse Tuition Aid Program must fill out an application form. A copy of the Soldier’s Leave and Earning Statement (L.E.S.) must be submitted along with the form. The Statement must be dated within 60 days of the term deadline month. If the spouse who would like to apply for assistance is employed, a copy of his or her pay statement must be submitted along with the L.E.S.
A copy of the orders assigning the soldier overseas must also be filed along with the documentation. In a situation where the spouse served in the military, a copy of his or her discharge order is required.
Additional Information About STAP
STAP funding is available to spouses who are attending school on either a full or part-time basis. Part-time students are required to take at least six credit hours per semester. Students attending school on a full-time basis must sign up for a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester.
Full-time students may qualify for funding for four years. Military spouses who are taking classes on a part-time basis can receive help to pay for tuition expense for up to eight years.
Funding under the Spouse Tuition Aid Program will only be provided for the fall and spring semesters. No funding is provided to pay for a summer semester.
A military spouse who is making a renewal application for funding under STAP is required to submit a transcript. Funding will only be provided to a qualified applicant to has been able to maintain a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
Spouses of Army personnel stationed overseas who can show financial need are eligible to apply for a grant to help pay for the cost of tuition at an approved post-secondary educational program. Funding decisions are based on a number of factors, including income, family size, assets and other financial obligations.
Grants may be awarded to pay for up to half of tuition costs of an approved program, and the course must help the applicant gain employment skills. Applications for financial assistance must be made before classes start.