A collection of MyCAA frequently asked questions about eligibility, applying, benefits and more. MyCAA provides up to $4,000 in financial assistance for military spouses. These funds pay for degree programs, licensure, or credentials leading to employment.
Who Is Eligible For MyCAA?
Spouses of active-duty military, activated members of the National Guard, and Reserve Components are eligible for MyCAA. “Spouses of the severely injured, ill, wounded or killed in action” are eligible according to Army.mil. Spouses of Coast Guard members are also eligible for MyCAA according to the expansion changes in 2020.
Spouses of service members in pay grades E-1 to E-5, W-1 to W-2, and O-1 to O-2 are eligible for the MyCAA program. The National Defense Authorization Act of 2020 expanded eligibility to military spouses with service members promoted above the paygrade, so long as their individual career plan enrollment was already within place.
When Are Guard/Reserve Spouses Eligible?
Eligibility for spouses of Guard and Reserve members begins with the date of the Alert or Warning Order for Military Recall or Mobilization. The eligibility period lasts through activation and deployment until 180 days following demobilization.
Which Spouses Are Not Eligible For MyCAA?
Military spouses with marital status described as “legally separated” (by state law or court order) are ineligible. Spouses who are themselves active duty members, or activated Guard/Reserve members are ineligible.
What Is The MyCAA Hardship Waiver?
MyCAA features a hardship waiver MyCAA spouses can use in certain circumstances such as unexpected health problems, military re-assignments, emergency leave, etc. Hardship waivers must be signed by the military member’s supervisor, support staff, First Sergeant, etc.
Is There A Time Limit To Use MyCAA Once I Sign Up?
In general, an Associate’s Degree program cannot be longer than 12 months, and a license/certification program cannot be longer than 18 months.
Can I Use MyCAA Twice?
MyCAA offers qualifying military spouses a maximum of $4,000 but there is an annual cap of $2000, which means you can apply for funds twice (assuming the full $2000 is used each time).
Do I Have To Pay Back MyCAA?
MyCAA is considered a scholarship, not a loan or other type of repayable financial aid. Those using MyCAA are responsible for any remaining expenses above and beyond MyCAA assistance.
What Does MyCAA Pay For?
MyCAA pays for tuition expenses covering classes, training, examinations, and other areas that lead to a license, certificate, certification, or Associate’s degree. Degrees pursued with MyCAA must not be general; they must have a specific concentration leading to a degree or certification. The institution must be MyCAA-approved.
What Does MyCAA NOT Pay For?
Books, supplies, gear, clothing, computers, or other devices. Courses and/or exams not included in the applicant’s Education and Training Plan, and courses already started or completed. Student activity fees, event fees, and entertainment fees are also not covered under MyCAA.
Can Military Spouses Use MyCAA To Pursue A Graduate Degree?
MyCAA is for undergraduate work, licenses, certification, etc. Spouses may apply to take “any program of study from an accredited school or institution” leading to a license, certification, certificate or Associate’s Degree. The program does permit the applicant to take advanced courses needed to satisfy Continuing Education Units (CEU) requirements in an approved program. There may be other options depending on the program.
Does MyCAA Offer A Free Laptop?
Some individual programs may offer MyCAA applicants a free laptop as an incentive, but MyCAA itself does not offer or fund free laptops for qualified military spouses who use MyCAA.
Do I Have To Pay Back MyCAA Funds If I Do Not Finish The Program?
Those participating in the MyCAA program are required to complete the coursework, and spouses who sign up are required to certify in writing that they agree to the following terms:
“I understand if I fail or withdraw from a course, my MyCAA Account will be locked and no financial assistance documents can be created until I contact a MyCAA Career and Education Consultant.”
Those who fail a second time (without a satisfactory grade within six months of the course’s end) will have their MyCAA account locked and no subsequent funds will be offered until the course is completed.
Is MyCAA Taxable?
MyCAA is considered a scholarship. It is not counted as income for tax purposes at the time of this writing.
Does MyCAA Pay For Remedial Coursework?
MyCAA offers a maximum of nine paid credit hours for the remedial course (for credit) or three hours of non-credit remedial work.
Where Can Military Spouses Direct Complaints About MyCAA?
Military spouses who need to discuss “service delivery” issues should talk to a MyCAA Service Delivery Manager at 1-800-342-9647 for any service delivery issue.
MyCAA applicants/users may also email feedback to:
MyCAAFEEDBACK@militaryonesource.com