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Re-Enlist and the Tuition Goes to Your Spouse or Child Instead

The Military Family Education Program lets a Pennsylvania Guard member — or an eligible former member — earn tuition for a SPOUSE OR CHILD by entering an additional six-year service agreement. It pays up to the annual PASSHE in-state tuition rate plus technology fee, FOR UP TO FIVE ACADEMIC YEARS, and it can be used for a degree, a certificate OR CAREER-ENTRANCE TRAINING. That last point matters: it is not confined to a university path. The programme launched in academic year 2020-21.

Verified August 27, 2026

What this benefit is

The Military Family Education Program lets a Pennsylvania Guard member — or an eligible former member — earn tuition for a SPOUSE OR CHILD by entering an additional six-year service agreement. It pays up to the annual PASSHE in-state tuition rate plus technology fee, FOR UP TO FIVE ACADEMIC YEARS, and it can be used for a degree, a certificate OR CAREER-ENTRANCE TRAINING. That last point matters: it is not confined to a university path. The programme launched in academic year 2020-21.

What it's worth: Up to the PASSHE in-state rate plus technology fee, for up to five academic years

  • Earned by an eligible PA National Guard member OR ELIGIBLE FORMER MEMBER who enters an ADDITIONAL SIX-YEAR service agreement.
  • Used by a SPOUSE OR CHILD.
  • Up to the annual PASSHE IN-STATE TUITION RATE PLUS TECHNOLOGY FEE.
  • UP TO FIVE ACADEMIC YEARS.
  • Usable for a DEGREE, CERTIFICATE OR CAREER-ENTRANCE TRAINING programme — not confined to a university path.
  • Launched in academic year 2020-21.
  • As with the EAP, the amount is pegged to PASSHE rather than to what your school charges.

Who is entitled to it

  • You are in one of the groups this reaches.
  • The member is in the National Guard.
  • You are enrolled or applying.
  • Pennsylvania schools.

Not sure whether that describes you?

Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.

How to claim it

Deadline: By PHEAA's annual deadline
  1. 1The member enters the additional six-year agreement first — the benefit follows from it.
  2. 2Decide who will use it. It goes to a spouse or a child, not back to the member.
  3. 3Consider certificate and career-entrance training as well as degrees; both are covered.
  4. 4Plan the five academic years against the length of the programme.
  5. 5Price your school against the PASSHE in-state rate; the difference is yours.
Form
Application through PHEAA with the PA National Guard
File with
PHEAA, with the PA National Guard
Annual
Claimed once a year.
Worth knowingAn ELIGIBLE FORMER MEMBER can enter the agreement too. Someone who has already left the Guard should ask rather than assume the door is shut.

Sources

This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.