Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS): Financial Assistance, Scholarships & Programs
Navy and Marine Corps families have access to an incredible resource that you may not know about: the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS).
From emergency financial assistance and interest-free loans to education scholarships, Budget for Baby®, emergency travel assistance, disaster relief and visiting nurses, NMCRS offers programs designed to help Sailors, Marines and their families navigate the financial challenges that can come with military life.
Here are some of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society programs military families should know about.
What Is the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society?
Founded in 1904, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is a nonprofit organization that provides financial, educational and other assistance to eligible Sailors, Marines and their families.
NMCRS helps military families facing unexpected financial challenges while also providing programs focused on financial education, education assistance and family support.
The organization does not receive federal funding. Its programs and services are supported through donations and volunteers.
NMCRS Interest-Free Loans & Grants
Unexpected expenses can quickly put pressure on a military family’s budget.
NMCRS provides interest-free loans and grants to eligible Sailors and Marines experiencing financial hardship. In many cases, assistance can be provided the same day.
Financial assistance may help with unexpected expenses such as:
- Basic living expenses
- Utilities
- Vehicle repairs
- Emergency travel
- Medical and dental expenses
- Household expenses
- Other qualifying financial emergencies
The type and amount of assistance available depends on the family’s individual circumstances.
Because NMCRS assistance is designed to address financial need, applicants may be asked to provide information about their income, expenses and financial situation.
NMCRS Emergency Travel Assistance
Military families sometimes need to travel unexpectedly because of a serious illness, death or other family emergency.
NMCRS can provide financial assistance to eligible Sailors, Marines and their families for qualifying emergency travel expenses.
If an NMCRS office is closed, assistance may still be available through the American Red Cross, which serves as NMCRS’s after-hours liaison and can issue assistance using NMCRS funds.
Disaster & Critical Event Relief
When military families are affected by hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, wildfires or other disasters, NMCRS can help with immediate needs.
Disaster assistance may help families cover essentials such as:
- Food
- Temporary housing
- Household necessities
- Other urgent expenses following a disaster or critical event
Families affected by a disaster should contact their nearest NMCRS office to learn what assistance may be available.
Budget for Baby® — A Great Program for Expecting Military Families
Expecting a baby? Budget for Baby® is one NMCRS program Navy and Marine Corps families should definitely know about.
Budget for Baby is designed to help military families understand how having a baby may affect their finances and prepare for those expenses before the baby arrives.
The program includes a free workshop covering topics such as:
- The costs associated with adding a new family member
- Creating a realistic family budget
- Building a spending plan
- Financial planning for a baby
- Resources available to new military parents
Depending on the location, workshops may be available in person, virtually or one-on-one.
And you don’t have to be a first-time parent to participate.
Eligible participants can include active-duty and retired Sailors and Marines who are expecting or considering having a baby, eligible family members with a military ID, surviving spouses and certain Reservists on extended active duty.
Participants also receive gifts for attending.
Check with your local NMCRS office for upcoming Budget for Baby workshops and availability.
NMCRS Visiting Nurse Program
Another unique benefit available through NMCRS is its Visiting Nurse Program.
Registered nurses provide health education, guidance and resources to Navy and Marine Corps families during different stages of life.
Support may include:
- Prenatal education
- Newborn and mother/baby education
- Guidance for new parents
- Health education
- Support for aging family members
- Connections to additional community resources
Depending on location and circumstances, assistance may be available through in-home visits or virtual appointments.
The Visiting Nurse Program can be especially helpful for military families who may be stationed far away from their traditional family support system.
NMCRS Scholarships & Education Assistance
NMCRS also offers education assistance to help eligible Navy and Marine Corps families pursue higher education and career goals.
NMCRS Education Scholarships — $500 to $3,000
Eligible students can apply for need-based NMCRS scholarships ranging from $500 to $3,000 per academic year.
Education assistance may be available to eligible:
- Children of active-duty, retired or qualifying deceased Sailors and Marines
- Spouses of active-duty, retired or qualifying deceased Sailors and Marines
- Eligible active-duty Sailors and Marines participating in certain enlisted-to-officer programs
Students may pursue:
- Career and technical education
- Associate degrees
- Bachelor’s degrees
- Master’s degrees
Scholarship recipients can apply again each year as long as they continue to meet eligibility requirements.
Awards are based on factors including the student’s cost of attendance and FAFSA Student Aid Index (SAI).
Funds are sent directly to the educational institution and can help offset qualifying education costs, including tuition, books and lodging.
For the 2026–2027 academic year, the scholarship application period ran from February 16 through April 17, 2026.
If you missed this year’s scholarship window, keep an eye on NMCRS for information about the 2027–2028 application period.
NMCRS Interest-Free Education Loans — Up to $4,000
Scholarships aren’t the only education assistance available.
NMCRS also offers interest-free education loans of up to $4,000 for eligible students.
Unlike the annual scholarship application window, education loans may be available on a rolling basis to qualifying students who meet NMCRS financial-need requirements.
This makes the program worth checking even if the annual scholarship deadline has already passed.
Who Is Eligible for NMCRS Education Assistance?
Eligibility depends on the individual program, but education assistance generally includes qualifying spouses and dependent children of active-duty, retired or qualifying deceased Sailors and Marines.
For dependent children, applicants generally must be under age 23 by September 30 of the applicable academic year.
Eligible active-duty Sailors and Marines with written orders for certain enlisted-to-officer programs, including MECEP or MECP, may also qualify for education assistance through an interest-free loan.
Students can pursue qualifying career and technical education as well as associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
Money Ops Financial Education
NMCRS doesn’t only provide assistance when a financial problem occurs. The organization also offers programs designed to help Sailors and Marines strengthen their financial knowledge.
Money Ops is an interactive financial education program that uses real-world examples to help service members better understand and manage their money.
Combined with programs such as Budget for Baby, these resources can help military families build stronger financial habits before unexpected expenses occur.
NMCRS Thrift Shops
NMCRS also operates thrift shops at select locations.
Families can find gently used items such as:
- Military uniforms
- Household goods
- Clothing
- Children’s items
- Toys
- Other everyday necessities
Shopping at an NMCRS thrift shop can be another way for military families to stretch their budget while supporting the military community.
NMCRS Uniform Lockers
Uniform expenses can add up quickly.
At participating locations, NMCRS Uniform Lockers provide Sailors and Marines access to military uniform items at significantly reduced prices.
Availability varies by location, so check with your nearest NMCRS office to see what services are offered.
Who Is Eligible for Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Assistance?
Eligibility varies by program, but most NMCRS services are available to:
- Active-duty Sailors and Marines
- Retired Sailors and Marines
- Eligible family members with military ID cards
- Reservists on extended active duty of 30 days or more
- Surviving spouses of deceased service members
Education assistance may also be available to eligible surviving children of Sailors and Marines who died while serving on active duty or after retirement.
Because individual programs have different requirements, families should always verify eligibility for the specific assistance they are seeking.
How to Get Help From NMCRS
If you need assistance, start by finding the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society office nearest you.
NMCRS has locations serving Navy and Marine Corps communities throughout the United States and overseas.
Depending on the type of assistance you’re requesting, you may need to provide documentation such as:
- Military identification
- Leave or emergency travel documentation
- LES or proof of income
- Information about household expenses
- Supporting documentation related to the financial need
If you need emergency travel assistance when your local NMCRS office is closed, on a weekend or holiday, or while traveling, contact the American Red Cross at 877-272-7337. The Red Cross can serve as NMCRS’s after-hours liaison.
Don’t Miss These Navy & Marine Corps Family Benefits
The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society offers much more than emergency financial assistance.
Whether you’re expecting a baby, dealing with an unexpected car repair, facing emergency travel, recovering from a disaster, pursuing a college degree or simply trying to strengthen your family’s finances, it’s worth knowing what NMCRS offers before paying for everything out of pocket.
Some of the programs Navy and Marine Corps families may want to remember include:
Interest-free loans & grants • Budget for Baby® • Emergency Travel Assistance • Disaster Relief • Visiting Nurse Program • $500–$3,000 Education Scholarships • Up to $4,000 Interest-Free Education Loans • Money Ops • Thrift Shops • Uniform Lockers
Eligibility and availability vary by program and location.
Learn More & Get Help: Visit the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society at NMCRS.org.
OTHER BRANCHES WITH MILITARY RELIEF SOCIETIES
- Army: Army Emergency Relief (AER)
- Air Force & Space Force: Air & Space Forces Aid Society (AFAS)
- Coast Guard: Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA)
