You have been a military spouse for a few years now, and you are thinking of going back to school. MyCAA can be a great way to do it. MyCAA is an excellent scholarship program for military spouses who do want to go to school. There have been some recent updates to the program, which help include more military spouses than they did before. Here is what you need to know about the program:
So, What Exactly is MyCAA?
MyCAA stands for “My Career Advancement Account Scholarship.” It is a workforce development program for eligible military spouses so they can work on getting a license, certification, or associate degree or for continuing education courses to maintain a license or certification necessary for employment. The program is a part of the Defense Department Spouse Education Career Opportunities Program.
Who is Eligible For MyCAA?
- Military spouses of active duty service members, as well as spouses of National Guard and Reserve service members that are on Title 10 orders, qualify for the program.
- The service member needs to be E-1 through E-9, W-1 through W-3, or O-1 through O-3.
- Spouses will also need to have their high school degree or GED.
- If your spouse does get promoted past the eligible ranks, you can continue your approved education and training program.
How Much Does MyCAA Pay For?
- MyCAA provides a maximum tuition benefit of $4,000 with an annual fiscal cap of $2,000 for eligible military spouses who need professional credentials to meet their career goals.
- MyCAA pays for tuition and testing fees.
Is There a Time Limit To Use MyCAA?
Yes, there is a three-year time limit for using your funding. The beginning of those three years is the start date of the first course that you are taking.
What Else Do I Need to Know?
- Programs that only lead to a certificate are not eligible. Military spouses need to be pursuing a recognized postsecondary credential.
- To get started, visit the MyCAA website. You will need to use DS Logon to access your account.
- You can search for eligible schools and programs on their website.
- You can also connect directly with an SECO Career Professional. They have a live chat.
Even if you are unsure of what you want to do or unsure of what you want to study, checking out this military spouse scholarship program would be a great idea. It’s an amazing benefit for military spouses.
