From MyCAA to the GI Bill®, military financial support can help you train for a rewarding and promising career. We’ll break down how to use MyCAA to start a healthcare career as a Surgical Technologist, show what training could look like and share alternative funding like GI Bill® reimbursement, giving you more financial freedom to launch your career.
1. Understanding MyCAA Eligibility
Funded through the Department of Defense, the My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) program gives milspouses like you financial support for going back to school. If you qualify, you’ll receive $4,000, divided into increments of up to $2,000 installments per fiscal year.
So, let’s see if you qualify. You’ll have to:
- Be married to an active-duty service member (excluding Coast Guard)
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Check that your spouse holds Title 10 orders in pay grades E-1 to E-9, W-1 to W-3 or O-1 to O-3
- Complete your education while your spouse is in the qualifying pay grade
MyCAA is approved for military-friendly schools, including MedCerts. Find your next career with 30+ MyCAA-approved programs in IT and healthcare, including the 18-week Surgical Technologist training.
2. MyCAA and Surgical Technologist Training
Surgical technologists are a perfect fit for the MyCAA framework, with in-demand positions that are portable for relocation. You’ll help prepare patients and operating rooms, support the surgeon during procedures and handle post-surgery patient care and equipment restocking. You’ll be in high demand nationwide and could see average starting salaries of $39,000 to $42,000.
MedCerts’ 18-week Surgical Technologist program takes 15-20 hours of commitment each week, but you can work at your pace to match your schedule. Once trained, you’ll take the NCCT TS-C certification exam to prove your skills. You’ll also need employer/clinical sponsorship commitment before enrollment, which helps you meet the surgical case requirements within two years of graduation.
3. GI Bill® Reimbursement Funding Option
Alongside MyCAA funding, you might be eligible for GI Bill® reimbursement as a military spouse. It’s available for veterans, active-duty service members and dependents. While it’s not upfront tuition coverage, it can help you put money back in the bank. You’d apply for reimbursement after completing your Surgical Technologist training — one of the many GI Bill®-authorized programs from MedCerts.
Here’s a quick tip: Before you can use the GI Bill® benefits, your spouse needs to transfer some or all of the funds to you while they’re on active duty. Keep out-of-pocket costs even lower by combining the reimbursement with MyCAA funding.
4. Why Program Choice Matters
Not all schools are MyCAA- or GI Bill®-approved. When searching for military-friendly schools, look for career-focused, short-term programs with approved funding options and flexible learning. Online education makes learning even easier — especially if relocation is on the table. Your credentials should also follow you to a new permanent change of station, no matter where you are in the training.
MedCerts stands out for its flexible, in-demand programs that meet workforce needs in healthcare and IT. Proud to support military education, MedCerts makes it easy for active-duty members and their spouses to launch careers or level up their knowledge.
Find Your Career With MedCerts and MyCAA
You too can become a Surgical Technologist or other healthcare and IT professional with MedCerts’ high-quality programs. For financial savings, apply for MyCAA funding and get low-cost training that’s perfectly portable and sought after nationwide.
The Department of Defense and Department of Veteran Affairs are not affiliated with MedCerts and does not endorse our services. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
