MyCAA: Everything you Need to Know
What Military Spouses Need to Know About MyCAA
MYCAA stands for the My Career Advancement Account Scholarship. MYCAA is a program that will give you up to $4,000 of tuition assistance for your education, broken up as $2,000 per year for two years.
Military spouses, schools, and a Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) career coach will need to work together to define a clear career path for the military spouse. This plan is called an education and training plan, and it must be completed in order to receive the funds from MYCAA.
Who is the MyCAA Program For?
The My Career Advancement Account Scholarship program is, according to MilitaryOneSource, open to military spouses of those in pay grades:
E-1 through E-9
W-1 through W-3
O-1 through O-3
Applicants qualify if they have “completed high school are eligible for MyCAA while their military sponsor is on Title 10 military orders.”
Spouses married to members of the National Guard and reserves in these same pay grades are eligible. Check your eligibility for the scholarship by visiting the MyCAA website and applying for an account.
Who Does Not Qualify for MyCAA
- Spouses married to service members who are W-4 and above and O-4 and above. This applies, “unless a spouse has an approved Education and Training Plan in place prior to their sponsor’s promotion to W-4 or 0-4 or higher.
- Spouses whose National Guard or reserve military sponsor is in a warning orders/alert, post-deployment/demobilization, or transition status.
- Spouses who are also servicemembers with Title 10 orders.
- Spouses who are married but legally separated.
- Spouses who cannot apply for financial assistance while their military sponsor is on Title 10 orders or before the sponsor’s date of separation.
What Are Title 10 Orders?
Title 10 of the US Code outlines the role of the armed forces. Legally, this means being on “active full-time service” as opposed to part-time status like you are a lot of the time in the National Guard or the Reserves.
What Does MyCAA Provide If I Qualify?
This workplace development program will provide up to $4,000 of tuition assistance for your education, divided into $2,000 per year for two years.
- You must have completed high school.
- Your spouse must be on Title 10 orders.
- National Guard and Reserve spouses are eligible while their spouse is on active duty on Title 1o orders
What Are Title 10 Orders?
Title 10 of the US Code outlines the role of the armed forces. Legally, this means being on “active full-time service” instead of part-time status like you are in the National Guard or the Reserves.
What MyCAA Pays For:
MyCAA will pay for your tuition for:
- Associates degrees
- Obtaining a license
- Obtaining a certificate or certification
- An approved testing organization that expands employment or portable career opportunities for military spouses.
- Can be used for College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests.
Is There Anything MyCAA Doesn’t Pay For?
You can’t use MyCAA for books, supplies, equipment, uniforms, computers, or electronic devices.
- Tuition for courses and examinations not included in the spouse’s Education and Training Plan
- Reimbursements
- Student activities
- Prepayment for future courses
- Entrance examinations
- Comprehensive exams
- Prep courses
- Fees
- Nonacademic credit or ungraded courses,
- Courses taken more than one time, unless the My Career Advancement Account Scholarship has received a full refund from the school
- Academic credit by examination
- Transportation
- Lodging, child care, and medical services
- Course extensions
- Study-abroad programs
- Private licenses
- High school completion programs
- Continuing education credits
How to Sign Up for MyCAA
Head over to the MyCAA Scholarship Spouse Portal Online. There will be a DEERS eligibility check to confirm whether you meet the requirements. If you do, you can establish your MyCAA account.
Will I Receive $4,000 a Year?
No, there is an annual cap set per fiscal year. However, there may be spending cap waivers if the program you want to do costs more than that per year. In 2025, that cap was $2000 per year.
Can I Use MyCAA at Any School?
The school you use MyCAA at has to be accredited by a suitable agency and recognized by the US Department of Education. Here’s a list of MyCAA schools, or you can search for schools here.
How Soon Should I Start the Process?
Allow 2 months. You should submit your education and training plan for approval at least two months before you plan to start the program.
What Happens If I’m Not Approved?
The system will send you a message explaining why you were not approved and describing the steps you must take to get approved if possible.
What If MyCAA Does Not Cover All Expenses?
MyCAA likely can’t pay for all of your education. Make sure you also apply using FAFSA, which is the application for federal student aid.
You can also look into transferring your spouse’s Post 9/11 GI Bill to you. Additionally, there are many scholarships you can apply for that are specific for military spouses.
How Do I Get Help With All of This?
Make an appointment with a MySECO Career Counselor to help develop an individual career plan. Make sure to also check out the MyCAA Fact Sheet for more information.
To get started with MYCAA, call Military One Source at 1-800-342-9647 or visit their website. With these changes, more military spouses should be able to pursue careers during military life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is MyCAA for military spouses?
MyCAA, or the My Career Advancement Account Scholarship, is a program designed to help military spouses pursue education and career advancement. It provides up to $4,000 in tuition assistance, broken into $2,000 per year for two years. It can be used for obtaining associate degrees, certifications, and licenses while the service member is on active duty.
What do you use MyCAA for?
You can use MyCAA for education and career development, including associate degrees, certifications, and licenses that enhance employment opportunities. The program also covers approved testing organizations and College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests.
Does MyCAA pay the school directly?
Yes, MyCAA pays the school directly for eligible educational expenses. The program covers tuition for approved courses, certifications, and degrees, and the payment is made directly to the educational institution once the required documentation and Education and Training Plan are in place.
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- Military Spouse’s Guide to Going Back to School
- College Scholarships for Military Spouses
- MyCAA: Highest Paying Careers Without a 4-Year Degree
- There is a New Update to MyCAA
- Scholarships for Veterans