MyCAA INFO
MyCAA FAQs
The following are answers to the most frequently asked questions about MyCAA funding — from eligibility to coverage and non-coverage issues. If you have any other questions, please contact us!
Who is eligible for MyCAA?
A spouse of a service member on active duty in pay grade E-1 to E-6, W-1 to W-2, or O-1 to O-3 who can start and complete their coursework while their military sponsor is on Title 10 military orders, or a spouse married to a member of the National Guard or a Reserve Component in one of these same pay grades is eligible.
Who is NOT eligible for MyCAA?
- Spouses married to service members in pay grades: E-6 and above, W-3 and above, and O-3 and above
- Spouses who participated in MyCAA and their sponsors were promoted out of an eligible pay grade
- Spouses who are members of the armed forces themselves currently on Title 10 orders
- Spouses who are married, but legally separated (or under court order or statute of any state or US territory) from members of the armed forces on Title 10 orders
- Spouses whose National Guard/Reserve Component military sponsors are in a Warning
- Those in an Orders/Alert, Post Deployment/Demobilization or Transition Status
- Spouses married to members of the Coast Guard
- Spouses who have participated and used over $4,000 in the DoD-DoL Career Advancement Accounts (CAA) Pilot Program
- Spouses who are unable to start and complete their courses while their military sponsors are on Title 10 orders
What does MyCAA pay for?
MyCAA pays for tuition costs for military spouse education and military spouse career training courses, and examinations leading to a recognized license, certificate, certification or Associate’s degree with a specified concentration or major. The concentration or major for the Associate’s degree cannot be in General Studies, Liberal Arts or Interdisciplinary Studies unless there is a specific concentration such as General Studies: Nursing, or General Studies: Teaching. The license, certificate/certification and Associate’s degree must be obtained from a MyCAA-approved accredited college, university, or technical school in the United States or approved testing organization that expands employment or portable career opportunities for military spouses.
What does MyCAA NOT pay for?
- Tuition for courses and examinations that are not included in the spouse’s Education and Training Plan and those that have already started or been completed by the spouse
- Reimbursements of any kind
- Books, supplies, equipment, uniforms, computers and electronic devices of any kind
- Student activities, events and entertainment
- Pre-payment/deposits for future courses, unless costs are part of a block of study
- School or college level entrance examinations, comprehensive exams and related preparatory courses
- Courses, tests or fees normally paid by an employer as part of a job-training program
- Non-academic credit or ungraded courses, including courses taken on an audit basis or as an internship, practicum, apprenticeship, or clinical supervision; also, orientation programs that are non-academic credit or ungraded are not covered
- Courses taken more than one time unless MyCAA has received a full refund from the school
- Academic credit by examination tests (e.g. CLEP, etc.)
- General Studies, Liberal Arts, interdisciplinary associate’s degrees that do not have a concentration
- Personal enrichment courses (excluding courses that are academic credit/graded electives in an approved MyCAA Spouse Education and Training Plan)
- Transportation, lodging, child care, and medical services
- Course Extensions (except for approved hardship waivers)
- Study Abroad Programs (excluding programs of study offered by participating MyCAA schools on overseas military bases)
- Private licenses (Example: A private pilot’s license would not be covered because it is for recreational use, but a commercial pilot’s license would be covered because it would be used for an occupation)
- High school completion programs, including online high school completion programs
- CEUs to maintain a standing in a professional organization
What happens if spouses need more than $4,000? Are there other funding sources?
If more funding is needed, spouses should:
- Contact Military OneSource (1-800-342-9647) or a MyCAA Career and Education Counselor
- Contact your School Career Services Office or School Financial Aid Office
- Visit the following websites:
- militaryonesource.com/mycaa
- nmfa.org
- careeronestop.org
- ed.gov (Pell Grants)
- gibill.va.gov (MGIB/Post 911 Education Benefits or call 1-800-827-1000 or 1-888-442-4451)
Is MyCAA funding taxable?
No. MyCAA funding is considered a military spouse scholarship and is not subject to taxation.
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