PCS Move

MyCAA Scholarship Tracker

Any rank

Up to $4,000 for licenses, certifications, associate degrees, or continuing education for eligible military spouses.

MyCAA pays for this course

$800.00

Fully covered

Lifetime left

$4,000.00

FY left

$2,000.00

Years left

3

Course total

$800.00

Sources: official program FAQ and Getting Started pages at mycaa.militaryonesource.mil, read 12 Aug 2026.

MyCAA caps

Lifetime maximum: $4,000.00

One-time, can't be replenished

Annual FY cap: $2,000.00

FY = Oct 1 to Sep 30

Time limit: 3 years

From start of first course

Eligibility check

✓ Branch is covered — rank does not matter

✓ Eligible credential type

✓ You are eligible for MyCAA. Set up your DS Logon premium account at myaccess.dmdc.osd.mil, then visit mycaa.militaryonesource.mil/mycaa to apply.

This course / training

Tuition + national-exam fees combined

3-year limit applies

$4,000.00 lifetime cap

$2,000 annual cap (FY)

What MyCAA is — and what it isn't

MyCAA (My Career Advancement Account) is a Department of War workforce-development scholarship of up to $4,000 lifetime for eligible military spouses. It is being renamed the SpouseWorks Scholarship — the program says the MyCAA name is being retired and migrating to SpouseWorks, with no change to existing funding or application status, so expect to see both names for a while. It is built around portable credentials — licenses, certifications, and associate degrees that can travel with you across PCS moves.

MyCAA is not a general "college scholarship." It will not pay for bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, or programs that lead only to a non-recognized certificate. The credential must be a recognized portable postsecondary credential.

Eligibility — both rank AND requirement-side

Sponsor (service member) rank: The active-duty or Title 10 sponsor must be in one of these paygrades:

Rank no longer matters. The program used to stop at E-9, W-3 and O-3. The official program FAQ now states the scholarship is available to eligible active-duty spouses “regardless of their service member’s rank or pay grade.” If you were turned away under the old paygrade table, check again.

  • Covered branches: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Space Force. The Coast Guard is not on the program’s list.
  • Guard and reserve: eligible while the sponsor is on Title 10 orders, also regardless of rank.

Sponsor status: Must be on active duty OR Guard/Reserve under Title 10 orders. Spouses of separated/retired members are NOT eligible, and spouses who are legally separated from the member are excluded.

Spouse requirement: Must have a high-school diploma or GED.

Approved use: Licenses, certifications, associate degrees, or continuing-education courses to maintain a license/cert. Coursework toward a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate is not funded — but already holding an advanced degree does not disqualify you, and you can still use the money for a credential the program covers.

The three caps to plan around

  • $4,000 lifetime cap. Once used, no refresh — even with new sponsors or new PCS locations.
  • $2,000 annual fiscal-year cap. FY = Oct 1 to Sep 30. To use the full $4,000, you need at least two fiscal years. The cap is applied by the course start date, not the date you request or receive approval for the funding.
  • 3-year window from first course. The clock starts on the start date of the first course on your first financial assistance request. Anything unspent at the 3-year mark is forfeited.

Strategic timing example: Start a $2,000 cert in September Year 1. Start a $2,000 associate-degree term in October Year 1. You've used $4,000 across two fiscal years in 60 days, well inside the 3-year window. Two FY caps × $2,000 = $4,000.

How to apply — step by step

  1. Set up a DS Logon Premium account at myaccess.dmdc.osd.mil. Both spouse and sponsor must be in DEERS.
  2. Visit mycaa.militaryonesource.mil/mycaa and create your Spouse Profile (rank, education goals, current credentials).
  3. Work with a career coach (call 800-342-9647 or use the Live Chat) to develop and submit an Education and Training Plan. The plan must list approved credentials and an approved school, and plans are reviewed in the order received — allow up to 14 business days. The plan has to be approved before any funding is released.
  4. Once your plan is approved, request a Financial Assistance (FA) document course by course — no earlier than 60 days before the course starts, and no later than the day before it starts.
  5. The scholarship pays the school directly. You do not pay up front.
  6. Your school posts the final grade. If it is not posted within 180 days of the course end date, the course is marked noncomplete. If you fail, withdraw, or take an incomplete for the first time, ask a career coach about a grade waiver rather than assuming you owe the money back.

Important: Career coaching is unavailable on federal holidays. Plan accordingly if you're trying to hit a course-start deadline.

Best uses of MyCAA — top portable careers

Spouses across all branches have used MyCAA to fund:

  • Real estate license — portable across most states with limited reciprocity; ~$600–$1,200 typical cost
  • Medical assistant / CMA certification — high-demand healthcare, ~$1,000–$2,500
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) — exam + prep ~$2,000–$3,500
  • CompTIA certifications (A+, Net+, Security+) — IT entry, ~$300–$500 each
  • Pharmacy technician certification (PTCB) — ~$400–$1,500 with prep course
  • Bookkeeping / QuickBooks ProAdvisor — ~$500–$1,200
  • Cosmetology / Esthetician license — varies by state, often $2,000–$4,000 for full program
  • HR Certification Institute (PHR/SPHR) — exam + prep ~$1,500
  • Associate degree at base community college — full $4,000 against tuition
  • Personal trainer NASM/ACE certification — ~$700–$2,000

Tip: Pick a credential portable to all 50 states + OCONUS military locations. Avoid state-locked credentials where every PCS requires a re-test or re-fee.

MyCAA + Spouse Licensure reimbursement — stacking benefits

The DoD also offers Spouse Licensure Reimbursement (up to $1,000) under 37 U.S.C. § 453(g) for relicensing and recertification costs on a qualifying PCS that crosses state lines, plus a separate $1,000 for qualified business costs. This is separate from and stackable with MyCAA. See the Spouse Licensure page for details.

Many state National Guards offer state-funded tuition assistance for guardsmen or their spouses. Check your state National Guard website if your sponsor is NG.

FAQ

MyCAA — frequently asked questions

What is MyCAA and who is eligible?
My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) is a Department of War scholarship providing up to $4,000 lifetime to eligible military spouses pursuing portable career credentials. Eligible: spouses of active-duty members of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Space Force, and of Guard/Reserve members on Title 10 orders, regardless of the service member's rank or pay grade, who have a high-school diploma or GED. The old E-9 / W-3 / O-3 ceiling no longer applies, so a senior member's spouse who was turned away before should check again. The Coast Guard is not on the program's list of covered services. The program is being renamed the SpouseWorks Scholarship. Source: official program FAQ (mycaa.militaryonesource.mil), read August 2026.
How much money does MyCAA provide?
$4,000 lifetime maximum with a $2,000 annual fiscal-year cap (FY = Oct 1 to Sep 30). To use the full $4,000, you need at least two fiscal years. Time limit: 3 years from the start date of your first MyCAA-funded course.
What can MyCAA pay for?
Tuition and national-exam fees for: (1) licenses (occupational/professional), (2) certifications (industry-recognized), (3) associate degrees (2-year), or (4) continuing-education courses to maintain a license or certification. National exam costs like CLEP/DSST are also covered. Programs leading ONLY to a certificate (not a recognized credential) are NOT eligible.
Can I use MyCAA for a bachelor's degree?
No — MyCAA is limited to associate degrees, licenses, certifications, and continuing education. Bachelor's and graduate degrees are not covered. If you're pursuing a 4-year degree, look at the GI Bill transferability from your sponsor (Post-9/11 GI Bill can be transferred to a spouse).
How do I apply for MyCAA?
Step 1: Get a DS Logon Premium account at myaccess.dmdc.osd.mil. Step 2: Visit mycaa.militaryonesource.mil/mycaa and create your Spouse Profile. Step 3: Work with a SECO Career Coach (call 800-342-9647 or use Live Chat) to develop an Education and Training Plan. Step 4: Submit a Financial Assistance document 14+ days before your course start. MyCAA pays the school directly.
What if my sponsor gets promoted to O-4 or W-4?
This used to end your eligibility for new courses, because the program stopped at E-9, W-3 and O-3. That ceiling is gone: the official program FAQ now says the scholarship is available regardless of the service member's rank or pay grade, so a promotion does not push you out of the program. The caps that still apply are the $4,000 lifetime total, the $2,000 per fiscal year limit, and the 3-year window from your first funded course.
What if I fail a MyCAA-funded course?
You must submit your final grade within 60 days of course completion. Failed grades trigger repayment of the MyCAA funds for that course. Documented medical withdrawals may qualify for waiver. Strategy: only start courses you can realistically complete.
Can I use MyCAA and Spouse Licensure reimbursement together?
Yes — they are separate programs. MyCAA pays up to $4,000 for credential PURSUIT (school costs). Spouse Licensure Reimbursement under 37 U.S.C. § 453(g) provides up to $1,000 for relicensing and recertification costs on a qualifying PCS that crosses state lines, plus a separate $1,000 for qualified business costs. You can use both for different purposes.

Keep going

Next steps

Spouse Licensure

License portability + $1,000 reimbursement

TA (Service Member)

$4,500/year TA for the service member

GI Bill Transferability

Transfer GI Bill benefits to spouse/children

AI Assistant

Ask questions about MyCAA + other benefits

Official program FAQ · mycaa.militaryonesource.mil (read 12 Aug 2026)

Results are estimates. Always verify with your finance office.