Stressed junior here, My future plans include marrying my high school sweetheart who's currently in college and has accumulated some student debt. I'm considering the military pathway and I heard that they offer programs that clear college debt. Could this cover my spouse's debt too? Has anyone faced a similar situation that can advise me?
The U.S. military does indeed offer a variety of programs designed to assist in the payment, or even the complete repayment, of eligible federal and state student loans. However, while it's a wonderful gesture to want to help your future spouse pay off their loans, most of these programs apply to the service member and are directly related to their service.
Take the Military College Loan Repayment Program (CLRP), for example. This program can repay up to a maximum of $65,000 in qualified education loans. However, the service member must have enlisted in a military branch that offers the CLRP and must have taken out the loans before enlisting. Therefore, your future husband's current loans would not be covered under this program as you are the one planning to serve.
Additionally, some other loan repayment and forgiveness programs offered to military personnel, such as the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or the Army's Student Loan Repayment Program, are also typically tied to the individual who took out the loans and who is serving, not to their spouse.
But, don't lose hope. The military life does offer several advantages like housing and cost-of-living allowances, which could free up part of your income to help pay down your future spouse's student loans more quickly. Another option you might consider is using the benefits provided by the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which allows service members to transfer unused benefits to a spouse or dependent.
So, while the military does offer ways to reduce personal student debt, using these benefits to directly pay off a spouse's student loans may not be an option. I would strongly recommend speaking with a military recruiter or a financial counselor for more detailed and personalized advice based on your situation. Finally, kudos to you for thinking ahead and considering your partner in your future plans.
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