The My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) Scholarship is an education funding program for military spouses of active duty service members. The program provides $4,000 – in $2,000 increments per fiscal year – to eligible spouses for education leading to a certificate, license or associate degree in a high-demand industry. It’s a great opportunity for milspouses to pursue their education and careers with less debt. The first step to receiving funding is to complete your MyCAA registration. Here’s how.
1. Confirm Your Eligibility
MyCAA is available only to eligible spouses of certain active-duty service members who meet specific criteria. These include spouses:
- Who have completed high school
- Who have an Education and Training Plan (more on this below)
- Are married to active-duty service members on Title 10 orders in the following pay grades:
- E-1 to E-6
- W-1 to W-2
- O-1 to O-3
- Or married to National Guard members or reserve members in the above pay grades
2. Choose a Portable Career
The next step is to identify an in-demand, portable career that interests you. The MyCAA scholarship offers financial assistance to earn professional credentials that meet your career goals, such as a license, certificate or degree.
If you’re unsure what careers to pursue or where you might excel, the Traitify Personality Assessment can help you understand your qualities and interests. The test will match your strengths, weaknesses and characteristics with potential careers.
3. Find an Approved School
Once you decide on a career, find a MyCAA-approved school. The MyCAA program vets schools and training programs to confirm the education meets funding requirements. Search the database for approved institutions, such as MedCerts, and verify it offers the program you need.
4. Open a Free MyCAA Account
Next, create your MyCAA account. You will need your Department of Defense Self-Service login to open and access an account. The system will automatically run an eligibility check through the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) on creation.
5. Create and Submit an Education and Training Plan
An Education and Training Plan (ETP) details the courses required to complete your degree or program. The ETP is mandatory, and MyCAA only provides financial assistance for courses listed in the plan.
Your chosen school must prepare the ETP for you; as it cannot be completed by the student. However, MedCerts has qualified Education Consultants who will meet with you and help prepare your plan. Once it’s available, the next step is to upload it into your MyCAA for review.
Program staff review your ETP to confirm it’s completed, correct, and supports your career goals, which typically takes about two weeks. After approval, program staff lock the ETP and you’re ready to begin.
6. Register for Your Courses and Request Funds
With your MyCAA registration complete, the next step is to enroll in your courses and request financial assistance. MyCAA distributes funds on a course-by-course basis, and you must request assistance 60 days before the course starts.
Funding is provided to the first 1200 applicants and follows the government fiscal year, from Oct. 1st to Sept. 30th. For best results, plan your education to maximize these dates.
MedCerts is a MyCAA-approved institution offering short-term training for in-demand careers. Our Education Consultants help determine your eligibility and create your education and training plan. Get in touch to take advantage of your education benefits.
