What is MYCAA?

Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA)

Program Description:  The Department of Defense’s expanded Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program is now offering up to $6,000 to military spouses who are interested in pursuing degree programs, licenses or credentials leading to careers in high growth, high demand portable career fields.

What is Considered a High Demand Portable Career?

Generally speaking high demand portable careers are those that are likely to provide job opportunities in most locations where military members are stationed. These fields include:

• Business
• Education
• Certifications
• Criminal Justice
• Financial Services
• Health Care
• Human Resources
• Information Technology

What Does MyCAA Pay For?

MyCAA financial assistance pays for expenses such as post-secondary education and training, tuition, licensing, and credentialing fees.  This includes degree programs (e.g. associates, bachelors, masters, doctoral and post doctoral), continuing education classes, etc.

What MyCAA Does Not Pay For?

MyCAA does not pay for computers, school application fees, graduation fees, student activity cards, child care, parking, transportation, medical services or testing fees.  NOTE:  If the cost of a course includes books, supplies or other necessary equipment, MyCAA will cover that cost. Schools use MyCAA’s AI Portal to bill DoD electronically.

Who Is Eligible?

Spouses of active duty members and activated members of the National Guard and Reserve Components. 
The period of eligibility for spouses of Guard and Reserve members is from the date of the Alert or Warning Order for Military Recall or Mobilization, through activation and deployment until 180 days following De-Mobilization.  
Military spouses who are military members themselves are not eligible.  Military members have education benefits provided through the Military Voluntary Education Tuition Assistance (TA) Program.

How to Get Started?

Eligible spouses who are ready to explore portable careers options and develop a career goal and plan should establish a MyCAA Account by visiting the MyCAA website ~ https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa.  This is an easy, self-help process.  Once spouse profile information is provided, DoD will verify MyCAA eligibility through DEERS.  The spouse will be notified of his/her eligibility status through the MyCAA messaging system.