1. The MyCAA program began in November 2007 as a joint initiative between the Department of Defense and the Department of Labor and was initially available to spouses of junior enlisted members
2. In 2009 the program was extended to include all spouses. Applicants were able to use up to $6,000 to pursue education that would help them attain employment in portable professions.
3. There were approximately 136,000 spouses have enrolled in MyCAA until late 2009.
4. MyCAA program was closed to new spouses in February, 2010 while it assessed its original purpose to offer education that would allow for portable careers.
5. With the new plan, spouses will be eligible if their husbands are in pay grades E1-E5, the lower five of nine enlisted grades, or if their husbands are W1-W2, O1 or O2, the lower ranks of warrant and commissioned officers.
6. However, The programs will be limited to associate degrees, certification and licensures, and the amount has been lowered to $4,000.
7. Offer a maximum financial benefit of $4,000 with a fiscal year cap of $2,000.  Waivers will be available for spouses pursuing licensure or certification up to the total maximum assistance of $4,000
8. DoD will be accepting new application for MyCAA from October 25, 2010

Prepare for your MyCAA program before it is too late.  - Click here to see more about Military Spouse Career Advancement Account.

Military Spouse Scholarships

While spouses don’t receive the same assistance as their active duty service members, funds received by utilizing available programs are helpful in defraying the costs associated with obtaining a college degree.  When applying for assistance, make sure you know the qualification requirements, specific deadlines, and paperwork required.

In an effort to help military spouses and family members with their educational objectives, the Department of Defense offers these new programs:

Post-9/11 GI Bill Transferability – A special provision offers education benefits for spouses and children of service members and veterans.  Those who have served a minimum of six years in the armed forces, and agree to serve an additional four, can now transfer unused GI Bill entitlement to their spouse.  After 10 years of service, they can transfer the benefit to their spouse or children.  Click here to learn more about Post 9-11 GI Bill Transferability.

Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts – This military spouse career advancement account program provides assistance to spouses looking to acquire the skills and credentials needed to begin or further their careers.  It can be used to pay up to $3,000 in fees per year for training and education, and can be renewed for an additional year.

In addition to the above, The Department of Veteran Affairs has introduced the Spouse and Dependents’ Assistance (DEA) program which offers assistance for education and training to those who qualify.

Scholarships and Grants – In the process of searching for assistance to help finance their schooling, many spouses and their families overlook the many military and veteran-related scholarships and grants that are out there. Many go unclaimed due to the following misconceptions:

-    Some believe that VA education benefits eliminate the need for any additional funds available though grants and scholarships.  The reality is that while Survivor and Dependent Education Assistance offers great benefits, it may not cover of all the costs.  There are hundreds of scholarships and grants designed especially for education-related expenses.
-    If you think that scholarships are just too hard to get and applying requires too much effort, think again.  The fact is that applications vary to a large degree, with some requiring nothing more than completing a short application.
-    Perhaps you are under the impression that scholarships are too difficult to find.  There is a fabulous online resource created to specifically to help service members find scholarships.  Visit the “Scholarship Finder” at Military.com.

For questions and eligibility regarding tuition Assistance (TA), get in touch with your local relief agency.  Visit Education4military.com to learn more about Military Spouse Career Advancement Account.

Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts

What is Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts?
The Department of Defense (DoD) Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program provides up to $6,000 of Financial Assistance for military spouses who are pursuing degree programs, licenses or credentials leading to employment in Portable Career Fields.

Who Is Eligible For Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts?
Spouses of DoD Active Duty members and activated members of the National Guard and Reserve Components are eligible. The period of eligibility for spouses of Guard and Reserve members is from the date of the Alert or Warning Order for Military Recall or Mobilization, through activation and deployment until 180 days following De-Mobilization.

Military spouses who are legally separated by state law or court order are ineligible. Spouses who are Active Duty or activated Guard or Reserve members themselves are ineligible because they have their own education benefit programs. Unfortunately, Public Law 110-417 Sec 582 does not allow MyCAA to provide education benefits to Coast Guard spouses.

What Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts Pays For?
Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts Financial Assistance (FA) pays for education and training programs, tuition, and licensing/ credentialing fees. This includes degree programs (e.g. associates, bachelors, masters, doctoral and post doctoral), continuing education classes (including those offered through professional associations), Bar, CPA and other similar exams, and state certifications for teachers, medical professionals and other licensed occupations. If the cost of a course includes books, supplies or equipment necessary for the performance of the spouse’s chosen occupation (e.g. cosmetology or masonry tools, electrician operations manual, etc.), Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts will pay these costs if not billed separately. Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts also pays for High School Completion courses, GED tests and English As A Second Language (ESL) classes.

What Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts Does Not Pay For?
Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts does not pay for education and training programs that include computers (CPUs or laptops); application, graduation or membership fees; student activity cards; child care; parking; transportation; or medical services. If a spouse enrolls in a course without an approved Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts Financial Assistance (FA) document, the spouse will be responsible for paying course costs. Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts does not provide reimbursements of any kind.

How to Get Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts Started?
Eligible spouses can establish a Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts Account by visiting the MyCAA website ~ https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa. Once spouse profile information is provided, Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts will verify spouse DEERS eligibility. Eligible spouses will be allowed to create their Career and Training Plan and request Financial Assistance (FA) when they are within 90 days of course start dates. Additionally, spouses are responsible for applying to their selected school or program and enrolling in each course included in their approved Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts Career and Training Plan(s).

Click here to read more news about MyCAA resumed.