The purpose of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is to provide emergency financial assistance to active duty and retired Navy and Marine Corps personnel and their families. NMCRS provides assistance with basic living expenses such as food, rent, utilities, assistance with emergency transportation, funerals, medical and dental bills, essential car repair, pay problems, and other emergency needs. Assistance is provided with loans or grants, depending on financial need.
The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society was founded in 1904 as the result of a suggestion that the proceeds from 1903 Army-Navy football game be split and put to use to help widows and orphans of service members. The society has changed greatly since 1904. There are now over 180 offices ashore and afloat to help in time of need.
The following personnel are eligible for financial and other assistance provided by the Society:
- Active-duty and retired members of the regular Navy and Marine Corps Reservists on extended active duty and certain retired reservists
- Dependents and dependent survivors of the above members Indigent mothers (65 years or older) of deceased service members who have limited resources and no family to provide for their welfare
- Ex-spouses "20-20-20" (un-remarried former spouses) whose marriage to a service member lasted for at least 20 years while the service member was on active duty
- Uniformed members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
NMCRS has a full-time budget counselor to help. Three visiting nurses are available to visit new mothers, and to assist with other health problems. Education loans are available for dependent spouses and children. Some locations have thrift stores that offer second-hand merchandise, including military and civilian clothing, small appliances, household items and baby furniture. If you wish to donate to the shop, check with your local office for details.
Educational Programs
Educational financial assistance helps Navy and Marine Corps families pursue their academic goals. Assistance is limited to full-time undergraduate studies and vocational training. The amount of assistance provided is based on need and determined on a case-by-case basis. Some of the programs available are:
- Grants of up to $3,000 per academic year, available to dependent children of Navy or Marine Corps service members who died after retirement.
- Grants to unmarried, dependent children of Navy or Marine Corps personnel who died while on active duty.
- Vice Admiral E.P. Travers Scholarship and Loan:
- Travers Scholarship: Grants of up to $3,000 per academic year are available for dependent children and spouses of active duty members of the Navy or Marine Corps, as well as dependent children of retired personnel. Applicants must be enrolled or accepted as full-time undergraduate students at post-secondary institutions whose accreditation is accepted by the U.S. Department of Education, and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
- Travers Loan: This program provides an interest-free loan of up to $3,000 to the active duty service member for students in the same categories as the Travers Scholarships, who are undergoing undergraduate training. Loans are to assist with college-related costs and must be repaid in full by allotment within 24 months.
For more information, contact:
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
801 N. Randolph St., Suite 1228
Arlington, VA 22203-1978
Phone: 800-654-8364
Keep Up with the Ins and Outs of Military Life
For the latest military news and tips on military family benefits and more, subscribe to Military.com and have the information you need delivered directly to your inbox.
