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.

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

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.

I came across medicalcodingcourses.com and found allied schools advertise the MyCAAprogram covers meidcal / health care career training programs they offer.

Below are three main medical training courses,

• Medical Coding Courses
• Medical Billing Course
• Medical Transcription Course
• Massage Therapy Course

Military Spouses: MyCAA Funds May Cover 100% of Your Career Training Tuition and Fees

As a military spouse, you need a flexible way to get career training that prepares you for today’s portable careers. And you need an education that fits with your family’s budget. At Allied, we can help you with both – from helping you secure MyCAA funds to pay for your education costs to building a solid educational foundation for a career you can take with you wherever you go.

Even though you may move from one duty station to the next, you can build a career that provides the opportunity and challenge you’re looking for.

Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA)
Did you know that with Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA), your education may be fully covered? MyCAA funds are available exclusively to military spouses to cover 100% of the cost of tuition and fees – meaning that an exciting, mobile career that helps with the family income may be closer than you think.

About MyCAA:

The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts Program (MyCAA) is a Department of Defense (DoD) program that provides up to $6,000 to spouses of active duty military members and spouses of activated Guard and Reserve service members (deployed for a year or more) for certification, licensure, education or training in careers in high-growth, high-demand occupations.
Legal spouses of military service members with a minimum of one year remaining on active duty are eligible for the program. This includes spouses of active duty service members, Coast Guard deployed with the Navy, Active/Guard Reserve (AGR), and Reserve Component service members (Guard and Reserve) called to active duty for a year or more.
To apply for the program, you must complete an online profile and call a Military OneSource Career and Education Consultant at (800) 342-9647 to create a career plan and goal. If you need any assistance with your profile or eligibility questions, please call Military OneSource.
Why Allied Schools?

When you partner with Allied, you join a school that cares about your success. We have many rewarding education options available, with course offerings that reflect current trends and opportunities in the job market. Whether you want to realize a work-at-home opportunity or prepare for a flexible career in a professional business setting, you’ll find a career that’s perfect for your military lifestyle.

Choose Allied Today:

Nationally accredited
100% online courses; 24/7 access
Live student support
25+ career training courses – choose from medical, real estate, emerging green technology or business
MyCAA funds accepted
Receive the foundation you need for a successful career, not just a job. With personalized student support, convenient online courses and comprehensive materials, you’ll have the resources to create the career you’ve always wanted. Don’t wait! We’re here to accompany you every step of the way and help you realize the career of your dreams.

Want to learn more? Call (888) 822-2923 today or click here to request information about the education opportunities for today’s military spouses.

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).