Military Spouse Advocacy Network and USAA Educational Foundation Launch Virtual Financial Education Program

The Military Spouse Advocacy Network (MSAN) and The USAA Educational Foundation (USAAEF) have joined forces to launch a comprehensive virtual financial education program tailored for military spouses. This initiative, announced on August 1, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas, aims to provide essential financial knowledge and skills to a diverse group of military-connected individuals.

The program, accessible through MSAN's Global Mentorship HUB, offers a range of unique training courses focused on financial readiness. These courses cover critical topics such as financial health and goal setting, understanding military pay and benefits, saving for retirement, debt management, credit understanding, and investing for growth.

Verenice Castillo, MSAN's founder and CEO, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, "MSAN and The USAA Educational Foundation's new training program will enhance access to financial education and training for a diverse group of military-connected spouses, including new and experienced spouses, post-9/11 veteran and retiree spouses, caregivers, and Gold Star and Surviving Spouses."

The program is housed within MSAN's Virtual Education and Resource Center, a component of their unique Mentorship HUB. This resource center provides military spouses with a comprehensive library of virtual content, available 24/7 at no cost. Members can access webinars, educational videos, blogs, toolkits, professional training, and virtual gatherings. Additionally, MSAN has appointed a Financial Readiness Advocate to support discussions about the new program within the Mentorship HUB.

David Evetts, President of USAAEF, highlighted the crucial role military spouses play in managing household finances. "Military spouses often serve as the CFO of their household managing the finances to support their family," Evetts said. "We are proud to partner with MSAN to equip military spouses with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed financial decisions and build a more secure future."

The program's launch addresses a significant need within the military community. Financial readiness is a critical aspect of overall military family well-being, impacting everything from day-to-day living to long-term financial security. By providing accessible, comprehensive financial education, MSAN and USAAEF are empowering military spouses to navigate the unique financial challenges that come with military life.

This initiative is particularly timely given the economic uncertainties many families face. For military families, who often deal with frequent relocations, deployments, and changing financial circumstances, having a solid understanding of financial management is crucial. The program's focus on topics like military pay and benefits, retirement savings, and debt management directly addresses the specific financial landscape military families navigate.

The virtual nature of the program ensures that military spouses can access this valuable education regardless of their location or schedule. This accessibility is crucial for a community that often faces geographical and time constraints due to the nature of military service.

Furthermore, the program's integration into MSAN's existing Mentorship HUB enhances its value by providing a supportive community context. Members can not only learn from the educational content but also connect with peers facing similar financial challenges, fostering a sense of community and shared experience.

As this program rolls out, it has the potential to significantly impact the financial health and stability of military families across the nation. By equipping military spouses with essential financial knowledge and tools, MSAN and USAAEF are contributing to the overall readiness and resilience of the military community.

For more information on MSAN and its programs, interested parties can visit www.militaryspouseadvocacynetwork.org. Additional resources and financial education materials are available at www.usaaef.org.