The Department of Defense's expanded Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program is now offering up to $6,000 to military spouses who are interested in pursuing degree programs, licenses or credentials leading to careers in high growth, high demand portable career fields.

What Does MyCAA Pay For?

MyCAA financial assistance pays for expenses such as post-secondary education and training, tuition, licensing, and credentialing fees. This in- cludes degree programs (e.g. associates, bachelors, masters, doctoral and post doctoral), continuing education classes (including those offered through professional associations at conferences), bar, Certified Public Accountant and other similar exams, state certifications for teachers, medical professionals and similar licensed professionals, and services required to become employed in portable career fields (e.g. finger printing, security checks, drug tests, etc.). MyCAA does not pay for computers, school application fees, graduation fees, student activity cards, child care, parking, transportation, medical services or testing fees. If the cost of a course includes books, supplies or other necessary equipment, MyCAA will cover that cost. Schools use MyCAA's AI Portal to bill DoD electronically.

Who Is Eligible?

Spouses of active duty members and activated members of the National Guard and Reserve Components.

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.

How Does A Spouse 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 ~ https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/ mycaa. This is an easy, selfhelp process. Once spouse profile information is provided, DoD will verify MyCAA eligibility through the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. The spouse will be notified of his/her eligibility status through the MyCAA messaging system.

Who Can Help Spouses Move Through the MyCAA Program?

Spouses are encouraged to work with their school academic advisor or call a Military OneSource Career/Education Consultant at 1-800-342-9647 if they need help in:

·Establishing a MyCAA Account and signing the MyCAA Statement of Understanding

·Choosing a portable career and establishing a career goal

·Developing a career plan (selecting courses, exams, other needed services)

·Looking up school(s) of choice in the MyCAA AI portal

·Requesting that a new school be added if the school of choice is not already listed

·Requesting up to $6,000 of financial assistance to pay for courses of study or related licensing and credentialing services provided by other agencies (e.g. Bar or CPA exams, state certification exams for teachers and nurses, finger printing, drug testing, security checks, etc.)

For spouses who experience technical difficulties using the MyCAA Website or have forgotten their password, contact MyCAA@InvernessTechnologies.com.

Who Can Help Schools Become A MyCAA Partner?

For schools that need MyCAA program information or want to participate in the MyCAA AI Portal electronic billing process, request assistance from MyCAASchools@MOSCenter.us.

Is MyCAA Training Available for Program Participants?

Yes. Webinars are periodically scheduled to assist individuals in learning how to participate in the MyCAA program. Schedule information will be posted on the MyCAA AI Portal website (https:/ /aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa) when it is available.

This is not the same as the Department of Labor's initial pilot CAA program which is currently only available in California, North Carolina and Georgia.

Spouses who are currently participating in Department of Labor's CAA program may also participate in DoD's new worldwide MyCAA Program.

Call Kathryn Palmer at (706) 791-0795 for any questions.