Military Spouse Career Advancement (MyCAA) Scholarship Program

The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) Scholarship provides up to $4,000 of Financial Assistance for eligible military spouses who wish to continue their education by pursuing a license, certification, or Associates degree in a portable career field or occupation.

MyCAA Benefits for Military Spouses

The MyCAA Scholarship provides numerous benefits to eligible military spouses. These benefits include:

Training and Education Financial Assistance

MyCAA provides a maximum education benefit of up to $4,000 with an annual fiscal year cap of $2,000 to assist eligible military spouses in acquiring the professional credentials needed to meet their portable career goals.

Note: It’s possible to obtain an annual cap waiver if the upfront costs exceed $2,000 (up to the maximum education benefit of $4,000).

Employment Readiness Counseling

Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) career coaches are available to all military spouses married to active-duty service members of all ranks. Military spouses do not need to be eligible to receive MyCAA financial assistance or be interested in pursuing higher levels of education to use these counselors. 

However, counseling services can help MyCAA military spouses identify additional sources of federal, state, and local financial assistance, expanded career choices and opportunities, and necessary support resources (e.g., childcare, transportation, books, computers, equipment, supplies, etc.).

Employment Assistance and Career Services

MyCAA makes referrals to networks of military-friendly employers for spouse participants who have completed their programs of study using MyCAA funding and are ready to seek gainful employment. Examples include the Military Spouse Employment Partnership, USAJOBS.gov, CareerOneStop.org and Blue Star Families Blue Star Career Center.

Who Qualifies for MyCAA?

Those eligible for MyCAA include spouses of active-duty, National Guard, Coast Guard or reserve service members in certain pay grades (E-1 to E-5, W-1 to W-2, and O-1 to O-2). 

To qualify, you must submit your request while your spouse is on Title 10 military orders. You remain eligible if your spouse is promoted above O-2 if you have an approved education plan before the promotion.

Spouses must have completed high school or obtained a GED and must complete their program of study within three years from the start date.

Current employment does not affect your eligibility.

You may still be eligible for Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) services, even if you do not qualify for the MyCAA financial assistance.

Ineligible for MyCAA

Those not eligible for MyCAA include:

• Spouses who are members of the armed forces themselves and are currently on Title 10 orders
• Spouses who are married but legally separated
• Spouses of a National Guard or Reserve service member with a status of warning orders, alert, post-deployment, demobilization or transition

How to Apply for MyCAA

To apply for MyCAA, create a MyCAA account by visiting the MyCAA website. 

Note: You will need a DS Logon, which you also use to access MySECO or TRICARE Online.

You’ll want to explore approved MyCAA career fields (see below) and licensure programs. A SECO career coach can help you explore career interests.

From here, find a school that matches your interests and offers licenses, certificates and degrees, then create a personalized Education and Training Plan (ETP) with a career coach and your chosen school. 

Note: this is a mandatory step. Include a range of potential elective courses because once the ETP is approved, you cannot edit it or add courses. Approval of the plan can take up to 14 business days.

Next, work with the selected school’s admissions advisor to complete the application process.

MyCAA Approved Career Fields

Use the MySECO Research Occupations Tool to find in-demand, portable careers in your area or nationwide.

The following career fields are approved for MyCAA funding:

• Aerospace
• Animal Services
• Automotive Services and Transportation
• Business, Finance and Administration
• Construction
• Education
• Energy
• Health and Human Services
• Homeland Security
• Hospitality
• Information Technology
• Legal
• Skilled Trades: In-demand jobs that require certification or other credentials and provide the flexibility necessary for military spouses’ frequent relocations. Use the MySECO Research Occupations Tool to find in-demand professions in your area or nationwide. The following are approved skilled trades for the MyCAA program. Each program already has approved technical schools and more are being routinely added.
• Aesthetician or Skin Care Specialist
• Barber
• Colorist
• Cosmetologist
• Designer
• Journalist
• Make-up Artist (must provide copy of cosmetology license to SECO staff)
• Mortuary Science
• Musical Instrument Repair
• Nail Technician
• Photographer
• Sales Manager
• Translator/Interpreter
• Writer/Editor
• Yoga (you must complete all credit hours in-person – distance learning or online programs will not be covered)
• Nursing (must meet certain qualifications in the Education and Training Plan and include pre-requisite courses.)
• Other training programs listed in the MyCAA-approved programs

Note: all career fields and skilled trade programs have different additional criteria. Don’t be afraid to ask questions of your career coach or Employment Readiness staff.

MyCAA FAQs

MyCAA will not pay for other costs, including:

• Associate degree programs in general studies, liberal arts, or unspecified Interdisciplinary Studies
• Reimbursements for previous or current studies
• Books, supplies, uniforms, equipment or electronic devices such as computers, laptops or tablets
• Supplemental activities and events
• Fees other than for exams and licenses (Note: some exams, such as entrance exams, and licenses, such as private licenses,
• may not be covered
• Ungraded (audited) or repeat courses

Note: Program participants develop plans with their school and MyCAA Career Counselor or Employment Readiness staff. You typically outline expenses at that time and get informed of what is and isn’t covered for your chosen career path.