Navy Marine Corps Relief Society

When you’re having trouble meeting urgent financial needs, we may be able to provide an interest-free loan or grant. Through financial counseling, we’ll also help you plan for better financial stability. From everyday bills to unexpected expenses, our caseworkers are ready to help. They understand the unique challenges of military life, and they’re ready to listen and suggest options to bring you needed relief.

Our services are completely confidential. Your caseworker will review your financial situation and guide you through helpful resources and budget planning. If you’re approved for a loan or grant, you’ll get funds right away. There’s no application fee, and the appointment is completely free. If you need $500 or less, you may be eligible for our Quick Assist Loan.

QUALIFYING SITUATIONS
We provide funds to help with a wide range of financial needs. Common situations include:

• Food, rent/mortgage, utilities, essential home repairs
• Establishing a new residence, including security and utility deposits
• Car expenses, such as repairs and insurance deductibles
• Medical expenses
• Military pay shortage / delayed entitlements
• Funeral expenses

Your Society caseworker will listen to understand your financial situation, as well as help you understand your bills and unexpected expenses, if you need it. The caseworker will help you create a plan for financial success, making sure your budget helps you figure out how to spend your money and not run out. You’ll also get money-saving resources and tips to help stretch your dollars.

After reviewing your financial situation, your caseworker will determine if you qualify for financial assistance. If you do, you’ll receive an interest-free loan or grant, and you’ll leave the office with a check for the money you need.

Quick Assist Loan

You may be eligible for a Quick Assist Loan (QAL) for an emergency financial situation. There’s no application fee and no appointment required. Active duty Sailors and Marines must apply in person and the process takes about 20 minutes. If eligible, you may receive a check for an interest-free loan for any amount up to $500. The QAL must be paid back within 10 months.

QUALIFYING FOR A LOAN
If your financial need is greater than $500, or if you have received 5 QALs during your career, you are no longer eligible for our QAL. However, active duty service members are always eligible for our traditional financial assistance – which includes free budget counseling and education to determine the amount of financial assistance needed and a customized repayment plan.

To apply for a Quick Assist Loan, you must:

• Be on active duty in the USN or USMC
• Have enough time left on your contract to repay the interest-free loan
• Have no unpaid or outstanding interest-free loans from the Society
• Have no disciplinary actions in the past six months (or pending) that impact your pay or rank

APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2020-2021 ACADEMIC YEAR ARE CLOSED

APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2021-2022 ACADEMIC YEAR WILL BE AVAILABLE January 1, 2021

INTEREST FREE LOANS AND GRANTS

The Society’s Education Assistance Program offers interest-free loans and grants for undergraduate or master’s degree at an accredited 2- or 4-year post secondary, technical or vocational institution in the United States. This financial assistance is available for children of active duty, retired or deceased Sailors and Marines; and for spouses of active duty and retired Sailors and Marines.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants MUST be one of the following:

• child (under age 23 on May 1, 2020) of an active duty, retired or deceased Sailor or Marine
• spouse of an active duty or retired Sailor or Marine
• MECEP/MECP student

And all students MUST be:

• Registered in DEERS (Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System)
• Enrolled, or planning to enroll, as a full-time student for the entire year (Aug-May) at the same institution and pursuing an undergraduate or master’s degree at a post-secondary, technical, or vocational institution that is: Located in the United States, Accredited by a regional/national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education, A participant in the U.S. Department of Education Title IV Financial Aid Programs
• Have a cumulative 2.0 or better GPA on a 4.0 grade scale
• Able to DEMONSTRATE FINANCIAL NEED

Program Details:

• Interest free loans and grants range from $500 to $3,000 per academic year
• Amount to be provided to each applicant will be determined by NMCRS
• Funds are payable and provided to the student’s academic institution, not the student
• Funds are to be used only for tuition, books, fees, room, and board
• Repayment of interest free loans must be by military payroll allotment or EFT within 24 months of the loan disbursal and must begin September 1, 2020
• Students must complete a new application for each academic year

Society visiting nurses work through many of our offices, which are located on Navy and Marine Corps bases.  Our registered nurses travel, within a reasonable distance of their office, to provide free, in-home visits to:

Active duty or retired Sailors and Marines
Navy and Marine Corps families with newborns
Our nurses visit families to answer questions and provide education on a wide range of health topics. For new parents, nurses may discuss things like breastfeeding and making sure babies are healthy and happy. They also provide baby weight checks. No matter what your age, nurses will answer your questions about medications and medical care. If you’re a retiree, you can also talk to our nurses about your concerns, such as chronic medical conditions that can accompany aging.

Sometimes our nurses will work with your health care team to let them know how you’re doing between visits to your doctor. While visiting nurses do not provide emergency or bedside care, they can help you understand your options for taking the best possible care of yourself.

Nurses listen and can recommend resources to help you and your loved ones.

Expecting a baby is an exciting time for a family. Planning for the financial impact of a baby is an important part of your preparations. Start your planning with our free Budget for Baby workshop.

The workshop will help you develop a family budget, give you tips on how to save money, and introduce you to other expectant Navy and Marine Corps parents.

Every participant receives a gift that includes a baby blanket handmade by a Society volunteer.

We also offer free, one-on-one budget counseling and financial education.