10/12/2010 - SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) -- The Military Spouse Career Advancement Program Accounts program is set to resume Oct. 25, but with significant changes.
Changes include limiting the availability of financial aid to spouses of active-duty servicemembers in pay grades E-1 to E-5, W1 to W-2 and O-1 to O-2.
Financial aid also will be limited to $4,000 for up to three years from start of class to fund associate's degrees, licenses and certification programs, instead of the $6,000 previously offered.
Spouses currently enrolled in the program can continue their participation through Oct. 21, when MyCAA will ramp down and prepare for the Oct. 25 relaunch. As of Oct. 25, those spouses who fall within the eligible pay grades can continue their program participation.
Spouses of Guard and Reserve members must be able to start and complete their courses while their sponsor is on Title 10 orders.
For more information, visit the related story posted here.
(Elaine Wilson contributed to this story)
Comments
10/21/2010 7:21:14 PM ET When this program initially came on line my wife signed up and was granted the 6000 to continue school big help. After she was using it for a year it was revised to junior enlisted personnel no problem. Why couldn''t the spouses that were already enrolled and actively using it continue with the program it was not their fault that the government underestimated the numbers The spouses in my opinion should have been grandfathered in to the new program subtracting the money they had used from the 4,000 cap versus the 6,000 cap. Also the fact that junior officers are allowed to participate when they make as much or close to what I make as a 19-yr E-7 this needs to be revised as well. My spouse has done her time putting up with constant deployments and raising our children, the least she could get from the government is some education money to better her future/career after dealing with my career for almost 20 years. Thanks
MSgt Broesche, Holloman
10/21/2010 1:58:38 PM ET I got my Associates through this program and it was great help. I wish it was still open for Bachelor's programs but I guess it's better than nothing.
Sanja, Germany
10/19/2010 12:14:53 AM ET Glad to see this program is back but as a prior-enlisted capt my wife has bounced all over the US for 21 years and could use this benefit. I agree junior members should get it but all spouses deserve something for their service/sacrifice to this country
wigman, AirForce
10/15/2010 2:14:19 PM ET Shouldn't financial aid be determined by total family income financial need, not superficially on rank
SMSgt Cernicky, Pennsylvania
10/14/2010 11:07:41 AM ET Where is the civilian counterpart program info for up-grade promotions for present AF civilians? Equal Opportunityacross the board for your dependable civilian workforce
dgz, lafb
10/13/2010 4:55:32 PM ET finite resources I believe. About a year ago the whole program ground to a halt for -- if memory serves -- insufficient funding. If someone knows better than me on that point feel free to speak up. I'm just glad that we can offer anything at all as an organization even if the end-product isn't ideal.
tr, ok
10/13/2010 2:04:05 PM ET Why is this program for only Associates Licenses and Certificates? Why not Bachelors or Graduate Degrees?
TK, NM
10/12/2010 6:32:19 PM ET Glad to see this program is making a comeback.
