MyCAA

What is the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) program?
The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts Program (MyCAA) is a career development and employment assistance program sponsored by the Department of Defense (DoD). MyCAA helps military spouses pursue licenses, certificates, certifications or Associate’s Degree (excluding Associate’s Degrees in General Studies, Liberal Arts, and Interdisciplinary Studies that do not have a concentration) necessary for gainful employment in high demand, high growth Portable Career Fields and Occupations.

MyCAA provides a maximum education benefit of up to $4,000 with an annual fiscal year cap of $2,000 to assist eligible military spouses in acquiring a professional credential needed to meet their Portable Career goal. Annual cap waivers are available if there is an upfront tuition cost that exceeds $2,000 (up to the maximum education benefit of $4,000).

FAQs

What does MyCAA pay for?
MyCAA pays for tuition costs for education and training courses and examinations leading to an Associate’s Degree (excluding Associate’s Degrees in General Studies, Liberal Arts, and Interdisciplinary Studies that do not have a concentration), license, certificate or certification at an accredited college, university, or technical school in the United States or approved testing organization that expands employment or portable career opportunities for military spouses.

What does MyCAA NOT pay for?

Tuition for courses and examinations that are not included in the spouse’s Education and Training Plan and those that have already started or been completed by the spouse
Reimbursements of any kind
Books, supplies, equipment, uniforms, computers and electronic devices of any kind
Student activities, events and entertainment
Pre-payment/deposits for future courses, unless costs are part of a block of study
School or college level entrance examinations, comprehensive exams and related preparatory courses
Courses, tests or fees normally paid by an employer as part of a job training program
Non-academic credit or ungraded courses, including courses taken on an audit basis or as an internship, practicum, apprenticeship, or clinical supervision; also, orientation programs that are non-academic credit or ungraded
Courses taken more than one time unless MyCAA has received a full refund from the school
Academic credit by examination tests (e.g. CLEP, etc.)
General Studies, Liberal Arts, Interdisciplinary Associate’s Degrees that do not have a concentration
Personal enrichment courses (excluding courses that are academic credit/graded electives in an approved MyCAA Spouse Education and Training Plan)
Transportation, lodging, child care, and medical services
Course Extensions (except for approved hardship waivers)
Study Abroad Programs (excluding programs of study offered by participating MyCAA schools on overseas military bases)
Private licenses (Example: A private pilot’s license would not be covered because it is for recreational use but a commercial pilot’s license would be covered because it would be used for an occupation)
High school completion programs, including online high school completion programs
CEU’s to maintain a standing in a professional organization

(NOTE: As MyCAA does not pay for books, ebooks, or course extensions (subject for approval), LSUS, in partnership with USCTP, will provide this to the student at no extra cost)

Who is eligible for MyCAA?
Spouses of service members on active duty in pay grades E-1 to E-5, W-1 to W-2, and O-1 to O-2 who can start and complete their coursework while their military sponsor is on Title 10 military orders, including spouses married to members of the National Guard and Reserve Components in these same pay grades.

Who is NOT eligible for MyCAA?

Spouses married to service members in pay grades: E-6 and above; W-3 and above; and O-3 and above
Spouses who are a member of the armed forces themselves currently on Title 10 orders
Spouses who are married but legally separated (or under court order or statute of any state or US territory) from a member of the armed forces on Title 10 orders
Spouses whose National Guard/Reserve Component military sponsor is in a Warning Orders/Alert, Post Deployment/Demobilization or Transition Status
Spouses married to a member of the Coast Guard
Spouses who have participated and used over $4,000 in the DoD-DoL Career Advancement Accounts (CAA) Pilot Program
Spouses who are unable to start and complete their course(s) while their military sponsor is on Title 10 orders

Is MyCAA a loan?
MyCAA is considered a scholarship, not a loan or other type of repayable financial aid.

For Military Spouses Overseas
Are you a military spouse currently based outside of the US (i.e., Italy, Germany, UK, Netherlands, Japan, South Korea, etc) and need assistance with your MyCAA benefit? We can help!

We recommend that you browse through our list of MyCAA Programs here to give you a better idea of the courses we offer. All our courses are online, self-paced and leads to the industries’ most in-demand jobs!

Q: Can I take the course even if I am located outside US?
A: Yes. The courses are all online and self paced

Q: What if my course requires externship?
A: Students from overseas will have to wait to get back to the US and inform us upon their return they want to do their externship. We will make the arrangements on the student’s behalf. A refresher access to the program can also be provided at no extra cost

Q: Can I still use my MyCAA even if I am not a US Citizen?
A: As long as your spouse has registered you in DEERs, and you meet the initial eligibity requirements, you should be able to apply for your MyCAA

Q: What are the initial eligibility requirements?
A: Your service member is within the ff ranks E1 - E5, O1 - O2, W1 - W2 and is in active duty. You are at least 18 years of age and has a GED or high school diploma. Note: E6 to E9, W3 and O3 spouses with active duty service members are now also eligible.