Military Spouse Scholarships

Following She of the Sea’s post below announcing the relaunch of the popular MyCAA program, there’s been a flurry of conversation about the revamped program.

MOAA issued a press release, which reads, in part:

The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) has expressed strong disagreement with the Pentagon’s July 20 decision to severely limit military spouses’ eligibility for the wildly popular My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) program

When the program was first announced last year, spouses were extraordinarily enthusiastic and grateful that the Defense Department was finally acknowledging it had some obligation to help them ease their own personal sacrifices,” Strobridge said. “That’s why they were so angry when the program was suspended in February, because they saw Defense leaders as backtracking on the only funded career program they ever had.”

*****

“The reopening of the program in March offered a renewed ray of hope, but now this new restriction yanks the rug out from under career spouses yet again,” Strobridge said.

“MOAA believes longer-serving spouses deserve fairer treatment, and we’ll be asking Congress to help them get it.”

Full release can be read here.

Military One Source’s MyCAA page can be found here.

militaryspousescholarships.com/blog/2010/02/what-is-going-on-with-mycaa.html”>Click here to see a comprehensive post which details the issues and timeline surrounding the abrupt closing of the program earlier this year.

Lots of chatter on twitter re MyCAA. And by the way, we recently joined the twitterverse and are looking each day to reach and interact with milspouses on twitter. If you have a twitter account, let us know by leaving it in the comment section or

It’s a such a great new for all military spouses –  The MYCAA program will be resumed on Oct. 25 2010.

An education- tuition assistance program for military spouses that proved too popular for its own good will resume in a scaled-back form this fall.

MyCAA

The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program, or MyCAA, provided tuition of up to $6,000 for any military spouse to train for a portable career, one capable of enduring frequent military moves. The program was abruptly “paused” on Feb. 16 after a surge of applications threatened to drain its budget.

When it returns on Oct. 25, benefits will top out at $4,000, only spouses of junior service members – E1-E5, W1-W2 and O1-O2 – will be eligible, and they will be restricted to pursuing associate’s degrees, certificates and licenses. Of the 136,000 spouses participating in the program, 74,000 will no longer be eligible. A career counselor with Military OneSource, which runs the program, must approve each request.

The Military Officers Association of America strongly opposed the new restrictions.

“Limiting it mostly to spouses of first-term personnel – many of whom won’t stay for military careers – seems to miss the whole point,” said retired Air Force Col. Steve Strobridge, MOAA government relations director. “Allowing coverage for courses leading to associate’s degrees but not bachelor’s or master’s degrees that are essential for nursing, teaching and other portable careers seems equally incongruous.”

When MyCAA was shut down, about 44,000 of the 137,000 spouses enrolled were using the funds to pay for a bachelor’s degree or higher, said Air Force Lt. Col. April Cunningham, a Pentagon spokeswoman.

The program, which began in March 2009, was accepting about 10,000 new applicants a month and had reached a total of about 100,000. Then, in January alone, 70,000 were added, and 25,000 more during the first half of February. The plug was pulled.

An earlier iteration of the program was run by the state’s WorkSource agency and was also aimed at spouses of junior service members. Only those seeking certificate programs were eligible. When the Department of Defense took it over, it broadened eligibility.

When the program was paused, the DOD failed to promptly notify participants, angering many and leaving plans in limbo. Spouses set up a Facebook page titled “Take Action Against MyCAA Shutdown” that attracted more than 2,800 members. The program was reinstated in March to those who were already enrolled, but nobody else was allowed in.

Miles guessed that OC will have fewer MyCAA participants simply because a smaller number of spouses are eligible and there’ll be less money available.

The National Guard is working to assist spouses and family members with the cost of child care during deployment.  Guard and Reserve members who are in Title 10 status are eligible to receive a subsidy to use off-post child care.

The National Guard Child Care Subsidy Program is coordinated through the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA).  The amount of the subsidy is based on total family income, the number of children and type of child care needed.  The minimum monthly pay out is $100 per child per month.

A call center has also been set up to help Guardmembers navigate the paperwork and process of receiving the subsidy.  For more information on the program visit the National Guard Family Program’s website at http://www.guardfamily.org or call 1-888-642-2799.

I came across a website has a letter to Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State.

Dear Hillary Clinton U.S. Secretary of State,

Welcome to Korea and I hope you could have a good chance to discuss the Peace in East Asia including Korean Peninsula.

I am S.C. Shin, a civil investigator recommended by Korean National Assembly for the sinking of Cheonan and I’m writing this letter to let you know the truth exactly here in Korea.

I have graduated Korea Maritime University in 1982, served 2 years in Navy as a sailing & gunnery officer, worked for Hanjin Shipping on a containership regular line between Far East & West coast of U.S as a navigator for several years and experienced shipbuilding inspect affair for 7 years in Major Shipyards in Korea such as Hyundai, Samsung, Daewoo and Hanjin Heavy Industry.

I have built 3 bulk carriers of 136,000 tons and 10 container ships of 2,000~4,000 teu in charge of hull structure, shipping machinery and outfittings, paint and nautical equipments including navigation system.

Unbelievable conclusion and posture of the Administration

I didn’t agree with the conclusion of the Korean military administration and now sued for libel by them.

Can you imagine this situaton? I was the only person stood on the opposite position. That’s the only reason I am sued. I cannot understand how this happens in a democratic country in the world.

So I want to talk to you about my oppinion and I think this might be a meaningful information to lead you to the truth of the unfortunate accident in Korea.

As you know, this is so much important problem for the peace of Korean Peninsula devoting to the world’s peace that you and your country eagerly pursue to complete.

The Military Administration made a conclusion that Cheonan had torn in two and sunken by the ‘Explosion of Torpedo’.

But my oppinion is quite different from it because I could not find even a slight sign of ‘Explosion’ but could find so many evidences of grounding in/out of the vessel.

I want to ask you fully understood that a tiny voice for the truth may prevent unexpected disaster and assure the safety of 70 million people in Korean Peninsula.

Well, I’m going to tell you about the circumstances which Baengnyeong-do is located in and especially about the geometric background with natural environment, critical for vessels sailing this area.

Read more…

VA Mortgage Center.com would like to announce that our scholarship program is open for submissions!

The Military Education Scholarship Program was started in May of 2007. VA Mortgage Center.com is the nation’s number 1 dedicated VA Loan Lender in the nation and VAMC wanted to give something back.

While looking for ways to give back to those that served or are going to serve, VAMC decided that it would set up its own scholarship program. The scholarship was set up for students in ROTC programs, veterans, reservists, military children, and military spouses.
What started out with 2 scholarships awarded and now the program has grown to 5 scholarships for $1500 each!

Read more…

A few important criteria to choose top military spouse friendly schools are whether they offer MyCAA, and online programs and college degree where spouses can study their education at a comfort home.

• Allied American University
• Everest College
• Westwood College
• UOP
• Walden University
• Fremont College
• Grantham University

A Message from DoD:

In the days following the announcement of a temporary pause of the Career Advancement Account – MyCAA – we have heard your feedback, suggestions and concerns. We are pleased to announce that the MyCAA program will resume operations on March 13, 2010, at 12 p.m., noon (EST) for military spouses who currently have existing MyCAA accounts. Those who have an existing account will have access to the entire Web site, including the ability to create and have financial documents approved.

We are currently developing options for the long-term management of the program and expect to be able to announce the details soon. Until then, no new accounts can be created. During this time, Military OneSource Spouse Education and Career Consultants will continue to be available to provide education and training, career exploration, assessment, employment readiness and career search assistance.

Tommy T. Thomas
Deputy Under Secretary of Defense
Military Community and Family Policy

Source: Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts by Education4Military.com

Featured Scholarships

Read more…

Attention, husbands or wives of military personnel!

There was an announcement about MyCAA that MyCAA program is temporarily halting operations. This pause will not affect approved Financial Assistance documents.

Under the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account program, the husbands or wives of military personnel are eligible to receive up to $6,000 to pursue further education.

Last week, the Defense Department abruptly stopped the program, telling students on the MyCAA website that the program was under review.

The Department of Defense says it saw an unforseen spike in applications this winter and the program almost reached its budget threshold.

The DOD says this is a temporary stop to the program until a new plan is in place.

There are lots of Military Spouse Alternative Education Funding Resources

Spouses say they hope the funding comes back so she and other military spouses can finally finish their degrees.

Click here to Visit More information about MyCAA Announcement.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

1.     The Stateside Spouse Education Assistance Program (SSEAP) is a need-based education assistance program designed to provide spouses of active duty and retired Soldiers, and widows(ers) of Soldiers who died either on active duty or in a retired status, and residing in the United States, with financial assistance in pursuing educational goals. The purpose of the program is to assist spouses/widows(ers) in gaining the education required to allow them to qualify for increased occupational opportunities.  Individuals who receive free tuition as a result of their employment will not receive tuition assistance from AER. However, they may apply for assistance for fees, supplies or books (no duplicates) for classes in which they are enrolled.  “Active Duty” military personnel are not eligible.

2.     Spouses/widow(ers) must reside at a stateside residence, and be enrolled, accepted, or pending acceptance as full time students in post-secondary or vocational institutions and approved by the U.S. Department of Education.

3.     SSEAP is NOT an entitlement or automatically approved. SSEAP does not apply to second undergraduate or graduate level courses.

4.     Stateside financial assistance is awarded based on financial need, as evidenced by income, assets, family size, special financial obligations and circumstances.

5.     The scholarships are awarded annually for up to four (4) academic years to attend post secondary school FULL TIME for the entire academic year as first undergraduate level students. Funds are to assist with academic expenses at the attending University/School and will be disbursed equally between the Fall and Spring semesters or quarters to assist with tuition, books, fees and supplies.

6.     The Stateside Spouse Education Assistance Program scholarships are awarded annually for up to four academic years to attend post secondary school full time as undergraduate level students. All students must complete an application and mail all supporting documentation each year.

Read more…