By Carl Surran
Spouse Fellowship Program To Accept Applications
Spring 2008
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE) and the National Military Family Association (NMFA) are partnering to offer military spouses an opportunity to learn the skills to become an “accredited financial counselor,” a necessary credential for working in financial counseling nationwide on or off military installations.
The Military Spouse Fellowship Program is open to spouses of active-duty servicemembers, reservists or retirees. NMFA (www.nmfa.org) will accept applications for the 2008 program from March 31 through April 30. The new slate of fellows is scheduled to be announced in late June or early July.
More than 4,800 applications have been accepted for the no-cost, 18-month program since it began in 2006. A rigorous selection process has narrowed that field to just 200 fellows each year. Representatives from FINRA, AFCPE and NMFA review and evaluate each application.
Previous financial counseling experience is not a crucial determining factor in the selection process, although it can apply toward the 2,000 practicum hours required to complete the program.
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