Updated MyCAA

Career advancement accounts - MyCAA - provide military spouses with opportunities to pursue portable careers in high-demand, high-growth occupations. The current program began as a demonstration project with the Department of Labor in January 2008 at 18 locations in eight states. Program eligibility was limited to the spouses of active duty service members in the junior ranks and accounts awarded under the demonstration were targeted to nationally-identified high-demand, high-growth industry sectors that provide the greatest opportunity for career portability.Over time the program was expanded to include military spouses of all pay grades and all programs of study.

The changes reflect a return to the original intent of the program-to assist spouses of service members in the pay grades of E1 - E5, W1 - W2, and O1 - O2 achieve portable careers. The changes also align the program with responsible fiscal planning by the Defense Department. We believe the new program guidelines will help sustain the program.

Under the new guidelines, education counselors will work with all military spouses to help develop career and education goals and plans, and assist them in navigating all available federal education benefits toward these goals.

New Program Guidelines:

Eligible Participants: Spouses of E1-E5, W1-W2, and O1-O2
DoD-funded assistance: up to $4,000, vice $6,000 under previous program
Annual Cap: $2,000 per spouse, per fiscal year (waiver required to use more than $2,000)
Time limit to use funding: three years from the start date of the first class
Approved Education programs: associate's degrees, licensure, and certifications

Career Consultants will:

Assist spouses in identifying other funding resources for higher academic degrees
Assist all active duty spouses (whether eligible for financial assistance or not) with career counseling
Waivers will be available for spouses pursuing licensures or certifications requiring an up-front fee greater than $2,000, up to the total maximum assistance of $4,000.