First, what does MyCAA stand for?

MyCAA stands for the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program.

So what is the MyCAA program?

Sponsored by the Department of Defense, MyCAA is a component of the DoD’s Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) program, and its purpose is to assist eligible military spouses in pursuing the skills they need to find gainful employment in high-demand, high-growth portable career fields and occupations.

Exactly what does the MyCAA program pay for?

Per their official website, the MyCAA program “only pays for tuition for credentials, certificates, or Associate degrees with a specified concentration or major and examinations leading to a recognized license or industry certification.”

So how much money are we talking about here?

MyCAA offers up to $4,000 in financial assistance, in $2,000 increments per fiscal year.

Are there any strings attached?

There are. The funding must be used over three years to pay for your training. You can use the money to pay for tuition, licensing, and certification fees. However, the money does not apply to other items like books, electronic devices, childcare, uniforms, etc.

Who qualifies to receive MyCAA funding?

You’re eligible if you’re the spouse of an active duty service member in pay grades E-1 to E-5, W-1 to W-2, or O-1 to O-2, and able to start and finish your coursework while your spouse is on Title 10 military orders. Spouses married to members of the National Guard and Reserve Components (in the same pay grades listed above) are also eligible.

Wait, will utilizing MyCAA affect my spouse’s G.I. Bill?

Not at all, and this is one of the biggest misconceptions around MyCAA. You can apply for funding without worrying about impacting your spouse’s benefits.

So how does MedCerts play into all of this?

While MyCAA can help you start a career, we can help you take all the next steps. At MedCerts, we have the expertise to help you, as a military spouse, explore all of your potential career options with tools like career assessments, interest and skills inventories, portable career statistics, and earning potential metrics. Once we’ve done that, you can choose which one of our certification programs is the best fit.

That sounds great, but can you help me find funding, too?

Absolutely. Part of our service includes creating a course of action that takes into account financial aid options, education and training program resources, credential information, and, of course, MyCAA (if you’re an eligible spouse).

What kind of certifications does Medcerts offer?

We offer a wide range of healthcare certifications, as well as certifications for professional development, IT, and manufacturing. If you want to get more specific, you can see a full listing here.

Why should I choose your certification programs?

MedCerts works hand-in-hand with institutions and experts to create some of the best non-traditional programs and educational methods, whether you’re a military spouse or just someone looking to start a new career. Our curriculums are accredited by national organizations to ensure our content is of the highest quality, and that our students have the knowledge and skills they need not only to pass their respective certification exams but to excel in their chosen career path.

So how else can MedCerts and MyCAA help me start a career?

Assuming you receive MyCAA funding and then subsequently receive a MedCerts certification, we’re just getting started on finding you a job. We can help you fine-tune your résumé and sharpen your interviewing skills. We also lend a helping hand with job search techniques, relocation planning, and flex-work options. And we can also leverage existing relationships and resources such as the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP), usajobs.gov, and careeronestop.org.

What kinds of jobs can help you help me find?

Honestly, there are too many to list here. To see what’s possible within the healthcare and IT industries, here are some of our top picks. There are a bunch, so hopefully you’ve got a few minutes!

I’m convinced MedCerts and MyCAA can help me start a career. What’s the next step?

We just need you to fill out our Student Application, which helps our Student Advisors pick the perfect programs and financial assistance for you. Once you’ve submitted the application, we’ll get back in touch via email or phone to let you know what the next steps are.