YoAFF: Program offers free financial aid to military spouses

The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program, sponsored by the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Community & Family Policy, provides up to $6,000 of financial assistance to military spouses pursuing licenses, certificates, credentials or degree programs leading to employment in portable career fields.

MyCAA is a Department of Defense initiative that provides a lifetime benefit of up to $6,000 of financial assistance to military spouses. MyCAA pays tuition for education and training courses, and professional licenses, certifications and credentials. This includes state certifications for teachers, medical professionals and other occupations requiring recognized certifications; licensing exams and related prep courses; continuing education unit classes, including those offered through professional associations; and degree programs leading to employment in portable career fields. MyCAA also pays for high school completion courses, GED tests and English as a second language classes.

Eligibility: Spouses of DOD active-duty members and activated members of the National Guard and Reserve components who are on Title 10 orders are eligible to receive MyCAA financial assistance.

Getting started: Eligible spouses can establish a MyCAA account by visiting the MyCAA Web site at https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa. Once spouse profile information is provided, MyCAA will verify spouse DEERS benefit eligibility. Eligible spouses will be allowed to create their career and training plan and request financial assistance when they are within 30 days of course start dates.

Additionally, spouses are responsible for applying to their selected school or program and enrolling in each course included in their approved MyCAA career and training plan.

Military spouses can help themselves:

• Visit www.careeronestop.org  to explore portable career fields and find schools that have programs of study leading to licenses, certificates and degrees.

• Find a school in the MyCAA Web site (https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa) by using the school search function. If the desired school is not listed, follow the directions shown at the end of the school search

• Establish and manage their MyCAA account at https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa, use MyCAA resources to create a career and training plan and apply for financial assistance.

School officials can help spouses:

• Select a program of study and sources of exams for licenses and certificates.

• Select courses to include in their MyCAA career and training plan. 

• Validate school and course information on the approved financial assistance request prior to course start dates to avoid billing problems.

• Submit grades or evidence of course completion to MyCAA within 60 days of course end dates.

MyCAA career and education consultants (1-800-342-9647) can help spouses:

• Explore career interests, evaluate school options and compare programs of study, including costs.

• Review and approve their career and training plan.

(Article courtesy of www.militaryonesource.com)