DoD will resume MyCAA program

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ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  The Department of Defense has completed the program review and will be making the necessary adjustments to resume the MyCAA program beginning in October 2010.

Starting 8 a.m. (EDT) Oct. 25, 2010, Military OneSource career and education counselors will have a much more active role in supporting military spouses. In addition to understanding resources available via DoD's financial aid support, they will provide support and assistance to identify and gain access to other federal, state, and local programs. All military spouses of active duty service members will be eligible for career counseling and support.

New financial assistance guidelines
With a focus on the original intent of the program, the Defense Department's financial assistance program will:

- Be available to spouses of active duty service members in pay grades E1-E5, W1-W2, and O1-O2.

- Offer a maximum financial benefit of $4,000 with a fiscal year cap of $2,000. Waivers will be available for spouses pursuing licensure or certification up to the total maximum assistance of $4,000.

- Require military spouses to finish their program of study within three years from the start date of the first course.

- Be limited to associate degrees, certification, and licensures.

These new guidelines reflect a return to the original purpose of the program -- to assist spouses of service members in achieving portable careers. These changes also align the program with responsible fiscal planning by the Defense Department to help sustain the program. Additional program details will be posted here when they become available.

Spouses who currently have an active account as of the date of this announcement (July 20, 2010), must request approval of a career plan not later than Aug. 31,2010. Beginning Sept. 1, 2010 through Oct. 21, 2010, spouses with active accounts may request financial assistance for classes with a start date up to (but not beyond) Jan. 15, 2011. All currently approved financial assistance documents will be honored.

Additionally, the review revealed that National Guard and Reserve members must be on active duty for their spouses to receive the MyCAA benefit. Spouses may no longer use the MyCAA benefit when the service member is in an alert or demobilization period. The new eligibility rule takes effect immediately.

The program will be closed Oct. 22-25, 2010, to ensure the infrastructure is in place to implement the new program.

(Information for this story was provided by Military OneSource)