Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA)
When military members have to mobilize or relocate, often their spouses need to pack up and move with them, whether it’s another installation in the United States or a location overseas. The U.S. Department of Defense recognizes the vital role of these men and women and offers a program for spouses pursuing an education and career that can go with them.
Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts, also known as MyCAA, assists military spouses who have to be mobile and need to seek degrees through educational institutions that offer convenient locations and distance learning. The purpose is to help prepare them for careers that are mobile, such as business, education, health care and information technology. If you are a military spouse of a junior service member, you can receive up to $4,000 in education financial assistance through the program.
Are You Eligible for MyCAA College Funding?
MyCAA, which launched in 2007, underwent changes that took effect Oct. 25, 2010. The current version places limits on participant eligibility and education programs.
Only spouses of junior service members—active duty Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy and activated reserve members—are eligible. Junior service members are those with pay grades E1 to E5, W1 to W2 or O1 to O2. If the spouse is married to someone in the National Guard or Active Guard Reserve, the military member he or she is married to must be on federal Title 10 active duty orders as reported in DEERS.
Spouses who are no longer eligible for financial aid can participate in career and education counseling services.
What Are the Details of the Funding?
If you are a spouse of a military member, you can now receive $2,000 per year for a total of up to $4,000 in funds during the length of the program, which is up to three years from the start of your first class. Waivers are available for spouses pursuing licensures or certifications with a cost that exceeds the $2,000 per year cap, but the total can’t exceed $4,000.
What Can the Funds Be Used for?
Through MyCAA, approved programs include associate’s degrees, licensure and certification programs, but not higher-level degrees.
How to Apply for MyCAA
To get started, create an account on the MyCAA website. Create a career and training plan and add your entry course information and the total cost per course. Then contact a Military OneSource advisor at 1.800.342.9647 for career plan approval. Once the career plan is approved, you can apply for financial assistance through the MyCAA website.