MyCAA Deadlines and Changes Quickly Approaching

Since its launch in 2007, the goal of the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts Program (MyCAA) has been to assist military spouses in completing career training. This joint program between the Department of Defense and Department of Labor is undergoing a number of modifications, and will now provide a total of $4,000 in tuition assistance for spouses to finish degrees, certifications, or licensures that could be used in a "portable career field."

In anticipation of the revised program starting again, there are a number of important deadlines spouses would be advised to know:

• August 31, 2010: Spouses with active MyCAA accounts must submit new Career Plans for approval.
• September 1, 2010 to October 21, 2010. Spouses who already have active accounts may request financial assistance (for the original benefit amount of $6,000) for classes starting on or before January 31, 2011.*
• October 22-25, 2010: The MyCAA program will temporarily close to ensure a smooth transition to the new program.
• October 25, 2010: The new MyCAA program will launch.

What’s Prompting the Change?

In March 2009, MyCAA program eligibility expanded to all pay grades and all levels of study. Shortly thereafter a dramatic spike in applications forced the Department of Defense to review the program. To put things in perspective, MyCAA financial aid requests historically numbered around 10,000 per month. After the eligibility expansion, requests rose to 70,000 in January of 2010. The popularity of the program forced it into a temporary hold, and now, under the new rules, it’s expected to be around for years to come.

Says Clifford Stanley, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, "We fully support the program and are committed to ensuring the program's sustainability. To that end, we are making several critical operational changes."

Who Is Eligible for the MyCAA Program?

The overall changes to the program are designed to ensure its sustainability. In turn, eligibility has been restricted in a few ways:

Eligible Pay Grades. Spouses of active duty Navy, Air Force, Army, or Marine servicemembers or activated Reserve servicemembers are eligible provided their spouses are in the following pay grades:

• E1 through E5
• W1 and W2
• O1 and O2

National Guard and activated Reserve members must be on Federal 10 active duty orders. Spouses of National Guard and activated Reserve members in Alert, Transition, or Post Deployment status are not eligible for MyCAA funding.

What Are the Funding Changes to the MyCAA Program?

Previous MyCAA funding levels were set at $6,000. Beginning on October 25, 2010, the maximum benefit will be $4,000 with a yearly $2,000 fiscal cap. Spouses with active MyCAA accounts can still file for the full $6,000 benefit, albeit during the short period noted above.

What Programs Are Covered by MyCAA?

Previously, the MyCAA program would fund prep courses, high school, GED exams, and ESL classes. However, under the updated program, funding is limited to the following:

• Associate's degrees
• Certifications
• Licensure programs

In addition, spouses must complete programs of study within three years — rather than four — from the initial start date of their first courses.

With a more fiscally responsible program in place that still reflects the original intent of the program, many believe the MyCAA should remain a popular and in-demand program well into the future.

*Updated 9-14-10

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