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Mission: Family: Tightened tuition rules will affect many spouses

Spouses should take note of some dates affecting eligibility for the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account, or MyCAA, program funds, as well as some new guidelines.

Two dates are important:

Oct. 25

The program opens to new enrollees, but the rules change in several ways:

• Eligibility will be restricted to spouses of active-duty members in paygrades E-1 to E-5, W-1, W-2, O-1 and O-2.

• There is less lifetime funding for spouses — $4,000, down from the previous $6,000.

• The financial assistance can be used only for tuition assistance for associate degrees, licensing or certifications related to portable careers.

Oct. 21

If you’re already enrolled, pay attention to this deadline: Even if you’ll no longer be eligible after the program restarts Oct. 25, you can request financial assistance until Oct. 21 under the previous, more generous rules for classes that have a start date up to Jan. 15.

That includes classes in support of a bachelor’s or master’s degree, which won’t qualify as of Oct. 25.

Those already enrolled also have access to the previous $6,000 funding until Oct. 21. But as of Oct. 25, the funding will be limited to $4,000 over a lifetime for spouses.

For example, if you currently have an account in the program, are the wife of an E-6, are enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program and have already received $5,000 from MyCAA, you could request up to $1,000 through Oct. 21, which might pay for at least part of your spring semester.

After Oct. 21, you’re not eligible to make new financial assistance requests, but you can still use financial assistance previously requested and approved.

Other changes:

• There’s a single fiscal year cap of $2,000, but waivers may be granted to spouses pursuing licensure or certification, up to the total maximum cap of $4,000.

• Spouses must finish their program of study within three years of the start date of their first course.

• Spouses must successfully complete courses in order to continue using MyCAA funds. Schools must upload grades to the portal.

• National Guard and reserve spouses are eligible only while their service member is on Title 10 (federal duty) orders. All spouses must be able to start and complete their courses while their member is on Title 10 orders.

Regardless of whether you qualify for financial assistance, you’re eligible for career and education counseling through MyCAA, to include information on other financial assistance available.

For more information, visit the Military OneSource website.

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Karen Jowers is the wife of a military retiree. E-mail her at kjowers@militarytimes.com.