Military Spouse Fellowship Leads to Financial Career Opportunities
Military Spouse Fellowship Leads to Finance Career Opportunities
The Military Spouse Fellowship leads military spouses to a rewarding career in the finance industry by training them to become Accredited Financial Counselors ® (AFCs).
Through a partnership between the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Foundation, the Military Spouse Fellowship is a one-of-a-kind initiative to help military spouses gain portable careers.
The Military Spouse Fellowship
FINRA’s Investor Education Foundation sponsors the fellowship that leads to an industry recognized certification: the Accredited Financial Counselor ® .
“As Military Spouse Fellows, they will gain the experience and credibility needed to work in the financial field, and the flexibility to achieve their career aspirations while supporting their service members and families.”
The fellowship is open to current or surviving spouses of active duty or retired military from all services, including the Space Force. Additionally, spouses of National Guard and Reserve members are eligible to apply.
Application Information
Any military spouse who is interested in applying for the fellowship must do so no later than midnight EST on May 2, 2022. Follow this link to apply.
There are seven tasks that applicants must complete for the Military Spouse Fellowship:
- Supply Applicant Information
- Provide Details of Your Service Member
- Letter of Recommendation (highly recommended, but it is optional)
- Fill Out the Education & Experience Form
- Answer Essay Questions
- Provide Optional Demographic Information
- Submit Additional Information, if needed
Once your application is complete and submitted, it will be processed for consideration.
How The Military Spouse Fellowship Works
The FINRA Foundation covers the costs associated with the program’s self study course and examination. The self-paced study option costs between $1,455 and $2,130, which is a lot of money per military spouse. The AFCPE is the organization that provides the certification that leads to careers in the finance industry.
“The Military Spouse Fellowship is special because it not only provides military spouses with a new set of skills, but it also gives them an additional network of connections,” explained Gerri Walsh, President of the FINRA Foundation, in a press release.
Rachel DeLeon, AFCPE’s Interim Executive Director, added that, “[a]s military spouses build their careers, the AFC ® certification gives them the tools they need to feel confident while providing education and guidance to military families…The certification is also nationally recognized, so it gives them a flexible career which is critical for families who are often moving.”
Once a military spouse completes the AFC ® certification, they move on to serve the military community as financial counselors. They can do this through family support centers, tax centers, financial aid offices, and credit unions throughout the country.
The Accredited Financial Counselor ® Certification
Military spouses who complete this certification will be trained and equipped to:
- Educate others on sound financial principles
- Assist others in their journey to become debt-free
- Help people identify and modify damaging money management behaviors
- Lead people to develop strategies to achieve their financial goals
- Offer support to others as they face financial challenges
- Provide insight into cultural and emotional aspects of money
The self-study course consists of online study guides, books, and webinar review sessions.
Professionals who attain their AFC ® certification are encouraged to become AFCPE members. Membership benefits include free professional development, which grants the Continuing Education Units (CEUs) necessary to maintain certification.
Next Steps for Military Spouses
For any military spouse interested in starting a new and rewarding career in finance, apply to the Military Spouse Fellowship as soon as possible. The window for applications closes on May 2, 2022, at midnight.
For more info, please visit their website.
