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What is the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account?

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

One of the benefits military spouses can use for the purpose of working toward their educational and career goals is assistance from the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts Program (MyCAA). Those who are eligible for the program can receive $6,000 of financial assistance per year to pursue college degrees, credentials, and skills which will prepare them for attaining employment in Portable Career Fields.



Here's a basic overview of the program:

Eligibility

Spouses of Department of Defense Active Duty members and activated members of the National Guard and Reserve Components qualify for MyCAA assistance. For spouses of Guard and Reserve members, the period of eligibility is from the date of the Alert or Warning Order for Military Recall or Mobilization, through activation and deployment until a total of 180 days following De-Mobilization.

Click to view Military Spouse Career Advancement Account?

Any military spouse who is legally separated, by state law or court order, does not qualify. Also, spouses who are Active Duty or activated Guard or Reserve members themselves are not eligible, as they have their own programs for assistance. (Unfortunately, under Public Law 110-417 Sec 582, spouses of Coast Guard members are not allowed to receive education benefits from MyCAA.)

Expenses Covered

MyCAA Financial Assistance (FA) pays for education and training programs, tuition costs, and licensing/credential fees. Basically, this encompasses degree programs (i.e. associates, bachelors, masters, doctoral), continuing education classes (including those offered through professional associations), Bar, CPA and similar exams, and state certifications for licensed occupations such as medical professionals and teachers.

If the cost includes books, supplies and special equipment essential for certain jobs, such as cosmetology or masonry, MyCAA will pay these expenses if included on the bill. The program also covers High School Completion courses, GED exams, and English as a Second Language (ESL).

MyCAA will not pay the costs for:

- Computers (including laptops)
- Applicant, graduation or membership fees
- Student activity cards
- Child care
- Parking/transportation
- Medical services

If a student enrolls in a course without an approved MyCAA Financial Assistance document, he or she will be held responsible for paying all the costs. Keep in mind that MyCAA doesn't offer reimbursements of any type.

How MyCAA Financial Assistance Works

A military spouse can request financial assistance from MyCAA for all approved courses listed on his or her Career and Training Plan. This plan includes the spouse's Portable Career Field, name of school, and all course information. If information provided is not accurate, the request will be denied during the school invoicing process and the spouse will be responsible for payment.

It's crucial that the spouse input correct information to prevent any billing problems. Before putting in a request for MyCAA financial assistance, it's a good idea to have the information confirmed by school officials.

Since schools may have different rules for adding/dropping a class, it's advantageous for students to be aware of these policies.

*This article is based on publicly-accessible information and has not been reviewed or approved by any military branch.

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Posted by Allied Blogger Admin @ 3:41 PM • 0 comments

Army PFC in Beijing for Summer Olympics

Friday, August 8, 2008

There'll be dozens of U.S. athletes in China over the next few weeks proudly representing their country, but for Army Pfc. Vincent Hancock, representing the stars and stripes is nothing new.

Hancock is in Beijing as a member of the U.S. shooting team who will compete in the skeet event. The nineteen year old Army truck driver is assigned to the Army Marksmanship Unit out of Ft. Benning. He got his chance to go to China by nabbing first place this past March at the Olympic shotgun trials in Texas.

Hancock is one of nine U.S. service members competing for Gold this summer. Click here to learn more about Hancock. Hancock married his wife Rebekah this past May and now that she is military spouse at Ft. Benning, she qualifies for Career Advancement Account (CAA) funds, which allow military spouses at select installations to use up to $3,000 a year for schooling.

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Posted by Allied @ 10:18 AM • 0 comments

Career Advancement Accounts (CAA): Scholarships for Military Spouses

Thursday, April 10, 2008

People who spend time around military installations know that there is considerable concern about the availability of quality jobs for military spouses.

A military family's move from one duty-station to another means the end of a spouse's job and the disruption of any ongoing military spouse education.

Statistics bear this out, with military spouses suffering far greater unemployment than civilian spouses. And today, as the American economy continues to show weakness, aid for military spouses has become a real priority.

The federal government responded to this unacceptable situation by creating the Military Spouse Career Advancement Initiative. The initiative began in January and provides military spouses at 18 select installations with Career Advancement Accounts (CAA) - these accounts provide eligible military spouses with $3,000 they can spend on post-secondary education. The pilot is scheduled to continue for a second year when it will be evaluated for possible expansion to more installations. Spouses should understand that the funds are not student loans for military spouses, but grants that spouses do not need to pay back.

Learn more about Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts.

A recent article in North County Times reported that 250 spouses at Camp Pendleton in Southern California have applied for CAA funds, with Camp Pendleton having no limits on how many spouses can be awarded grants.


An education specialist at Camp Pendleton stressed to military spouses that for the pilot program to be expanded to more installations across the country, completion rates for those using CAA funds must be high.

Military spouses using CAA funds to pay for career education - particularly those with young children - should consider enrolling in an online school; military distance learning classes allow military spouses to study while staying home with their children.

Many military spouses cite the expense of childcare as a significant barrier to their career and educational goals. 100% online courses allow military spouses to study when and where it's convenient - like when a child is napping or asleep for the night.

Military spouses should contact their base Education Centerto learn if their installation is participating in the pilot program. Military spouses who are not eligible for CAA funds shouldn't fret, because many schools offer military spouse financial aid for school, so that spouses can access affordable training programs. When military spouses speak with an admissions representative at a school, they should be sure to ask if the school offers any military spouses benefits such as no charge training or discounts.

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Posted by Allied @ 3:59 PM • 0 comments

Military Spouses Build Nationwide Career with Medical Training

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Military spouses have the opportunity to build a solid career and support their families nationwide with medical career training programs.

Enrolling in an online course provides them with a flexible and rewarding way to prepare for a long-term career in a medical office or at home. With the medical field projected to grow at a steady rate, they have the ability to build a career anywhere in the nation with skills they can take with them wherever they go.

Distance education schools are creating programs tailored to the growing needs of military spouses. These schools recognize the need to provide flexible career training to help these individuals build a career and contribute to the family income. Online courses provide military spouses with the opportunity to learn from the comfort of their home, on their own schedule and at their own pace. They can train anywhere in the world while maintaining the responsibilities of family life. Course discounts can make starting a career affordable and easy.

"We know that the life of a military spouse includes living on a flexible schedule and learning to quickly adapt to change," said George Achenbach, president of Allied Schools. "Online medical training programs help them provide for their families and reach their own career goals while their partners are on duty."

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the medical industry will have the strongest employment growth of any industry within the next decade. Continued advances in technology, as well as a growing and aging population, are expected to spur this growth and create opportunities for well-trained individuals.

Distance education schools are tailoring their course offerings to meet this growth by offering career training in areas with high career potential, including medical billing, medical coding, medical transcription, medical administrative assistant, and more. These careers provide military spouses with options when it comes to building a career - they can join a medical office team or work from the convenience of home. There are opportunities in doctors' offices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and more.

When choosing a distance education school, military spouses should look for live personalized support that is available throughout the duration of their program. It is important that they can reach staff members via phone, e-mail and fax to help at every stage of their training and receive one-on-one support. Job assistance programs can give them the skills to start their new career. From preparing an effective resume and cover letter to conducting a successful interview, they can make a smooth transition into the workplace. Click here to learn more about military spouse scholarships.

"Education providers have a unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of military spouses," said Achenbach."It should be the school's goal to make the process as smooth as possible and provide them with all of the resources they need to benefit their families."

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Posted by Heather @ 9:33 AM • 0 comments