Military Spouse Benefitsmilitary spouse education benefits

Military Spouse Employment Opportunities Advancement Accounts (MyCAA)

A Message from DoD:

In the days following the announcement of a temporary pause of the Career Advancement Account – MyCAA – we have heard your feedback, suggestions and concerns. We are pleased to announce that the MyCAA program will resume operations on March 13, 2010, at 12 p.m., noon (EST) for military spouses who currently have existing MyCAA accounts. Those who have an existing account will have access to the entire Web site, including the ability to create and have financial documents approved.

We are currently developing options for the long-term management of the program and expect to be able to announce the details soon. Until then, no new accounts can be created. During this time, Military OneSource Spouse Education and Career Consultants will continue to be available to provide education and training, career exploration, assessment, employment readiness and career search assistance.

Tommy T. Thomas
Deputy Under Secretary of Defense
Military Community and Family Policy

Military spouses who want to pursue their education have financial assistance available to them – up to $6,000 – through the Military Spouse Employment Opportunities Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program. The following information, provided by Military OneSource, includes the details about MyCAA, such as eligibility and how to obtain funds.

Program Sponsor:

Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Community & Family Policy (DUSD/MC&FP)

Program Description:

The Department of Defense’s expanded Military Spouse Employment Opportunities Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program is providing $6,000 of Financial Assistance for military spouses who are interested in pursuing degree programs, licenses or credentials leading to employment opportunities in high growth, high demand portable employment opportunities fields. 

Who Is Eligible:

Spouses of active duty and activated National Guard and Reserve service members. 

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 military members themselves are not eligible. Military members have education benefits provided through the Military Voluntary Education Tuition Assistance (TA) Program. Military spouses who are legally separated by state law or court order are also not eligible. 

What MyCAA Pays For:

MyCAA Financial Assistance (FA) pays for expenses such as secondary and post-secondary education and training programs, tuition, licensing and credentialing fees. This includes degree programs (e.g. high school, associates, bachelors, masters, doctoral and post doctoral), continuing education classes (including those offered through professional associations at conferences), Bar, CPA and other similar exams, state certifications for teachers, medical professionals and similar licensed professionals.

MyCAA does not pay for computers, school application fees, graduation fees, student activity cards, child care, parking, transportation, or medical services. NOTE: If the cost of a course includes books, supplies or other necessary equipment, MyCAA will cover that cost. Payments are made directly to schools using MyCAA’s electronic payment system.

How MyCAA Financial Assistance (FA) Works:

A military spouse can apply for MyCAA Financial Assistance after completing a MyCAA Career and Training Plan.

  • A Career and Training Plan includes the spouse’s career field, name of school and courses chosen by the spouse. Courses may be added to a MyCAA Career and Training Plan at any time.
  • Financial Assistance (FA) Requests for courses in the Career and Training Plan are made each time a spouse is ready to enroll in those courses at his/her school. Requests must be submitted via the MyCAA account system prior to the start date of each course.
  • Financial Assistance requests must have correct school names, course codes, titles of courses, start/end dates and course costs. Otherwise, they risk being rejected.
  • Financial Assistance requests may be cancelled or edited up to ten days prior to the start of a course or program. FA requests guarantee to the school that MyCAA will pay for the spouse’s seat in the course (classroom or online) that is being held.

How to Get Started: 

Eligible spouses who are ready to explore portable careers options and develop a career goal and plan should establish a MyCAA Account by visiting the MyCAA website at https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa/. This is an easy, self-help process. Once spouse profile information is provided, DoD will verify MyCAA eligibility through DEERS. If eligible, the spouse’s MyCAA account will be credited with $6,000. 

Who Can Help Spouses:

Military spouses can help themselves:

School Academic Advisors can help spouses:

  • Choose a program, licensing and certification exams, a major or course of study.
  • Select classes for their MyCAA Career and Training Plan. Be sure to get correct school name, course codes, titles of courses, start/end dates and course costs from the school to avoid having FA requests be rejected. 

Military OneSource Career/Education Consultants (1-800-342-9647) can help spouses:

  • Explore career interests and look at school options.
  • Develop Career and Training Plans.

Who Can Help Schools Register for MyCAA: 

Schools that need MyCAA program information or want to participate in the MyCAA AI Portal electronic billing process may request assistance from MyCAANewSchools@MOSCenter.us