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Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) |
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As of October 2010, MyCAA funding was reinstated, with the following new program guidelines:
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Spouse of an active duty Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine service member in pay grades E1-E5, W1-W2, or O1-O2.
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Spouse of an activated Reserve member in pay grades E1-E5, W1-W2, and O1-O2.
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If the spouse of National Guard and/or AGR member, the sponsor must be on federal Title 10 active duty orders as reported in DEERS.
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Spouses of Guard/Reserve members in an Alert, Transition Assistance, or Post Deployment status are not eligible.
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MyCAA accounts will be limited to the new $4,000 maximum benefit with a $2000 fiscal year cap. Waivers to the fiscal year cap will be available
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For spouses pursuing licensure or credentials with a cost that exceeds the $2,000 fiscal year cap up to the total maximum assistance of $4,000.
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Spouses must finish their program of study within three years from the start date of the first course.
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Funding is limited to only Associate’s degrees, credentials and licensure programs.
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Please allow for 14 days for approval of all financial assistance documents.
All spouses, even if no longer qualifying for the MyCAA program, that have had a MyCAA account can still access all your course information by logging onto the MyCAA website. If information is needed regarding other sources of financial assistance, you may contact a Military OneSource consultant at 800-342-9647.
Tidewater Community College Financial Aid services may be accessed via the TCC website or at one of our four campuses.
Click here for information on financial resources that are available.
Click here for the DOD MyCAA Website.
What are Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA)?
Degree Programs
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Certifications, Licenses and Workforce Development Programs Listing |
MyCAA was established with Congressional authorization set forth in Public Law 110-417.
The Department of Defense expanded Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program is providing $4,000 of Financial Assistance for military spouses who are interested in pursuing degree programs, licenses, certifications and education leading to careers in high growth, high demand portable career fields.
The Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy (DUSD/MC&FP) is the program sponsor.
Tidewater Community College is one of the schools approved to provide education and training through MyCAA. |
| Who is eligible? |
Spouses of active duty and activated National Guard and Reserve service members are eligible.
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. Military spouses who are legally separated by state law or court order are also not eligible. |
What is a Portable Career?
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Portable careers are those that are likely to provide job opportunities in most locations where military service members are stationed.
These include, but are not limited to:
- Business/management
- Construction trades
- Education
- Financial services
- Health services
- Homeland Security
- Hospitality management
- Human Resources
- Information Technology
- Real Estate
This is only a partial list of possible portable careers. The Department of Labor Career One Stop Centers have a full list of targeted industries and occupations. |
| Where can spouses get basic MyCAA information? |
Eligible spouses who are ready to explore portable career options and develop a career goal and plan should establish a MyCAA Account by visiting the MyCAA website: https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa/default.aspx, and click on  Create an Account.
This is an easy, self-help process. Once the spouse profile information is provided, the Department of Defense (DoD) will verify MyCAA eligibility through the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).
If eligible, the spouse's MyCAA account will be credited with $4,000.
MyCAA Financial Assistance (FA) pays for expenses such as secondary and post-secondary education and training programs, tuition, licensing and credentialing fees.
This includes degree programs; continuing education classes; national certification exams, i.e., Bar, CPA; and state certifications for teachers, medical professionals, and similar licensed professionals.
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| What does MyCAA pay for? |
MyCAA does not pay for computers, school application fees, graduation fees, student activity cards, child care, parking, transportation, or medical services.
If the cost of a course includes books, supplies or other necessary equipment, MyCAA will cover the cost.
Payments are made directly to schools using MyCAA's electronic payment system. |
Cost?
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Tuition and fees for degree programs at Tidewater Community College (TCC) are set by the State Board for Community Colleges. For more information about tuition rates, payment methods, payment deadlines, refunds, or contacts, see the Tuition @ TCC website.
Tuition and fees for continuing education classes, certification and licensure programs are based on the individual program, certificate, licensure, or certification. Please visit the appropriate program for costs.
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| How does MyCAA Financial Assistance (FA) Work? |
A military spouse can apply for MyCAA Financial Assistance after completing a MyCAA Career and Training Plan.
A Career and Training Plan includes the spouse's career field, name of school, and courses chosen by the spouse. Courses may be added to MyCAA Career and Training Plan at any time.
Military spouses can contact any TCC career counselor, workforce development or the military programs staff for assistance with developing a career and training plan for their MyCAA Account.
Financial Assistance (FA) requests for courses in the Career and Training Plan are made each time a spouse is ready to enroll in those courses at his/her school. Requests must be submitted prior to the start date of the course via the MyCAA account system.
Financial Assistance requests must have correct school names, course codes, titles of courses, start/end dates, and course costs. Otherwise, they risk being rejected.
Financial Assistance requests may be cancelled or edited up to ten days prior to the start of a course or program. FA requests guarantee to the school that MyCAA will pay for the spouse's seat in the course (classroom or online) that is being held.
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Who can help spouses and/or answer questions?
TCC Information Center
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Military spouses can help themselves by visiting the MyCAA website and establishing an account. Develop a Career and Training Plan or e-mail MyCAA@InvernessTechnologies.com for MyCAA technical support.
TCC can help spouses choose a program, licensing and certification exams, a major course of study, select classes, and provide the education and training for their MyCAA Career and Training Plan by calling:
TCC Information Center: Call 757-822-7714 or 800-371-0898 or e-mail: info@tcc.edu
Military Programs at TCC: Call 757-822-1188 or 822-1195 or e-mail: military@tcc.edu.
TCC Contact names and phone numbers.
Military OneSource Center/Education Consultants can help spouses explore career interests and look at school options and develop Career and Training Plans by calling 1-800-342-9647.
The following links provide access to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Terms and Conditions:
MyCAA Program Flyer:
https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa/default.aspx
MyCAA Fact Sheet:
http:/www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/mycaa/FactSheet
Spouse FAQs:
http:/www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/mycaa/SpouseFAQs
Spouse Terms and Conditions:
http:/www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/mycaa/SpouseTermsandConditions
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| Degree and Workforce Development Programs Listing? |
TCC Transfer Degree Programs, Career and Technical Degree Programs, Career Studies Programs and Certificate Programs
Alphabetical listing of Workforce Development certification, licensure, continuing education and professional development course offerings
Enchanced Certificate Program course offerings
Maritime Training Program course offerings
Music and Entertainment Industry course offerings
Select a program link below for fees and hours. |
| How to Apply ? |
Eligible spouses who are ready to explore portable career options and develop a career goal and plan should establish a MyCAA Account by visiting the MyCAA website: https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa/default.aspx, and click on Create an Account.
Select a degree or workforce development portable career program and apply for admission to Tidewater Community College (its free).
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| More contacts: |
TCC Information Center
Call 757- 822-1122 or 800-371-0898
Email: info@tcc.edu
Complete Online form
Dr. Calvin R. Scheidt, Jr.
Director of Military Contract Programs Center for Military & Veterans Education
757-822-7702
E-mail: CScheidt@tcc.edu or military@tcc.edu
Ms. Willa Priest
Military Programs- Academic Advisor Manager and Base Representative Coordinator
757-822-7714
E-mail: wpriest@tcc.edu
Ms. Ann Mead
Coordinator, Information Technology Programs
757-
822-1157
E-mail: AMead@tcc.edu
Ms. Geri Melton
Program Manager, Hampton Roads Maritime Training Program
757-
822-1315
E-mail: GMelton@tcc.edu
Ms. Shaina Yowell
Workforce Development and Continuing Education Graduate Intern for Continuing Education
757-
822-1234
E-mail: syowell@tcc.edu |
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