Financial Assistance for Military Spouses

Published Monday, March 15, 2010

Military Spouse Career Education 

Sponsored by the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Community & Family Policy (DUSD/MC&FP). The Department of Defense's expanded Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program will provide up to $6,000 of Financial Assistance for military spouses who are pursuing degree programs, licenses or credentials leading to employment in various career fields.

 

TheMilitary familyse funds can pay for career training and certification through qualified schools like LeaderQuest. 

 

 

Spouses of Active Duty members of the Department of Defense and activated members of the National Guard and Reserve Components are eligible. Spouses of the severely injured, ill, wounded or killed in action are also eligible.

 

The MyCAA Financial Assistance (FA) pays for expenses such as education and training programs, tuition, licensing and credentialing fees. This includes continuing education classes (including those offered through professional associations), or other similar exams.

 

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 the MyCAA's electronic payment system.

 

 

Speak to one of our Career Counselors and let us help you determine your next career move. 

 

LeaderQuest can help you file and obtain these funds so you can take:

 

  • IT Courses and Certifications including Microsoft, Adobe, CompTIA and Cisco
  • Project Manager Certifications
  • Human Resource Manager Certifications
  • Medical Billing and Coding Certifications
  • Customer Service Certifications
  • And many more…

 

 

Included when you take any of our courses is participation in our Career Workshops and free access to our Career Placement Services.  When you take a course from LeaderQuest you can get Instructor-Led training, web-based training with our "Live-Learning" services and online learning where you can learn at your own pace.

 

 

The following is an update we received from the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account group.

Subject: Military Spouse Career Advancement Account- Program Re-start under new Guidance - October 25th, 2010

 

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:

 

The Department Of Defense has completed the program review and will be making the necessary adjustments to resume the MyCAA program beginning in October 2010.

 

Starting 8 a.m. (EDT) Monday October 25, 2010, Military OneSource Career and Education counselors will have a much more active role in supporting military spouses.  In addition to understanding resources available via DoD's financial aid support, they will provide support and assistance to identify and gain access to other federal, state and local programs. All military spouses of active duty service members will be eligible for career counseling and support.

 

New financial assistance guidelines.  With a focus on the original intent of the program, the Defense Department's financial assistance program will:

 

  • Be available to spouses of active duty service members in pay grades E1-E5, W1-W2, and O1-O2 Offer a maximum financial benefit of $4,000 with a fiscal year cap of $2,000. 
  • Waivers will be available for spouses pursuing licensure or certification up to the total maximum assistance of $4,000,
  • Require military spouses to finish their program of study within three years from the start date of the first course, 
  • Be limited to associate degrees, certification and licensures.

 

These new guidelines reflect a return to the original purpose of the program - to assist spouses of service members achieve portable careers.  These changes also align the program with responsible fiscal planning by the Defense Department to help sustain the program. Additional program details will be posted on this Web site when they become available. We encourage you to check the site often.

 

Spouses who currently have an active account will be allowed to request financial assistance until Thursday, October 21, 2010. And beginning September 1, 2010, spouses may request financial assistance for classes that have a start date up to January 15, 2011.  To ensure adequate time to plan for courses, no career plans will be accepted after August 31, 2010.  All currently approved financial assistance documents will be honored.

 

Additionally, the review revealed that National Guard and Reserve members must be on active duty for their spouses to receive the MyCAA benefit.  Spouses may no longer use the MyCAA benefit when the service member is in an alert or demobilization period.  The new eligibility rule takes effect immediately.

 

The program will be closed from Friday, October 22 to Monday, October 25, 2010, so that we may ensure the infrastructure is in place to implement the new program. 

 

Military spouses are the backbone for military families, displaying strength of character to be admired by this nation.  The Department of Defense remains committed to investing in military families, and appreciate the sacrifice of those who also serve.

 

CALL NOW at 719-596-4545 to find out more…

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