MyCAA funding resumes for students currently enrolled in program

The Department of Defense announced today the resumption of the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) program. Beginning Saturday, March 13 at 12 p.m. (EST), the 136,583 military spouses currently enrolled in the program will once again be able to receive tuition assistance.

"We made a commitment to our military spouses when they established a career advancement account and we will be true to our promises," said Tommy Thomas, deputy under secretary of defense, military community and family policy.

The first phase of the reinstated program will enable the department to continue to pay up to $6,000 tuition assistance for spouses currently enrolled. "The department is working hard to adjust and meet the demands of the program and develop a long-term solution for spouses not yet enrolled who would like to establish an account," Thomas said.

The program was launched March 2, 2009, to assist military spouses in attaining portable careers in high-demand, high-growth occupations. An unexpected six-fold spike in enrollment prompted the Defense Department to pause the program Feb. 16 without notice. A thorough review began immediately to assure the program was accomplishing its intended goals. "When we determined an operational pause in the program was critical, we failed to notify our spouses in a timely and appropriate manner," said Thomas. "As a result of our failure, we know we will have to work hard to restore their faith in us. We are committed to earning that trust through improved communication and by delivering services."

According to Thomas, the Defense Department is currently developing long-term options for the program and expects to announce the details soon. Until new accounts can be created, Military OneSource Spouse Education and Career Consultants will continue to be available to provide education and training, career exploration, assessment, employment readiness and career search assistance.

What does this mean for schools?

Spouses with existing accounts will be allowed to request Financial Assistance for MyCAA funding but new accounts can not be created. The program will operate with the same policies and procedures in place before the pause.

 MyCAA will not fund any courses that do not have an approved financial assistance document prior to the start date of the course.

More information about MyCAA can be found at http://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/FindInformation/Category/MilitarySpouseCareerAdvancementAccounts.aspx.