Restructured MyCAA to launch Oct. 25

  • Published
  • By Sarah Olaciregui
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  The Department of Defense recently announced the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account program (MyCAA) would resume following a comprehensive review, however, the restructured program will have new guidelines and will relaunch on Oct. 25 at 8 a.m. EDT.

The new MyCAA will be available to spouses of servicemembers from E1 through E5, W1 and W2 and O1 and O2. Eligible spouses will receive a total of $4,000 in DoD-funded financial aid with an annual cap of $2,000 per fiscal year. The funding must be used within three years from the start date of the first class and must be used to obtain an associate's degree, licensure or certification.

The intent of the program is to help military spouses achieve portable careers in high-demand and high-growth occupations.

Under the new guidelines, education counselors will work with all military spouses to help develop career and education goals and plans and assist them in navigating all available federal education benefits in order to obtain these goals.

"Providing for military spouses is a priority for the Air Force and especially here at Hanscom," said Kathleen Vaillancourt, community readiness consultant at the Airman and Family Readiness Center. "We are happy to know that MyCAA will be available again for many military spouses and we will work hard to help those who are interested in obtaining portable, high-demand careers learn how to do so."

As a result, the Airman and Family Readiness Center will host a Military Spouse Career workshop on Oct. 26 from from 5 to 7 p.m.

MyCAA began as a demonstration project with the Department of Labor in January 2008 at 18 locations in eight states. Program eligibility was limited to the spouses of active-duty servicemembers in the junior ranks, and accounts awarded under the demonstration were targeted to nationally-identified high-demand, high-growth industry sectors that provide the greatest opportunity for career portability. Over time, the program expanded to include military spouses of all pay grades and all programs of study. Due to current and anticipated financial restraints, the program was scaled back.

Eligible spouses who are interested in further advice or counseling may visit contact Military OneSource at 800-342-9647 or visit www.militaryonesource.com.