Are you familiar with the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program sponsored by the Department of Defense? This is a benefit that is often times overlooked by military spouses throughout the United States.
In short, this program provides up to $4,000 of financial assistance to military spouses who are interested in pursuing an associate degree or license/certification in a particular field of study.
Whether or not you are eligible for the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program depends on many factors.
To qualify, your spouse must be an active soldier in one of the following pay grades: E1 ? E5, W1 ? W2, and O1 ? O2.
What does it Cover?
This program covers tuition associated with an associate degree or vocational training program. This includes but is not limited to state certification for medical professionals as well as teachers.
This program can also pay for high school completion, such as GED and English as a Second Language classes.
How much financial assistance can I receive?
The maximum benefit is $4,000 to an eligible spouse.
Note: there is a cap of $2,000 per year. In some cases, this annual maximum can be waived if the spouse is entering a program that requires an upfront tuition payment of greater than $2,000.
Are all my expenses covered?
While the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts covers tuition up to the allowed amount, there are other expenses that it does not cover including: application fees, computers, student activities, child care assistance, parking, testing fees, and textbooks.
How can I get started with the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program?
To get started, you should visit this website to setup your profile. Once complete, the Department of Defense will determine your eligibility.
Once your eligibility is approved, you can create a plan that outlines your educational goals. This is an important part of the process, during which time you will need to gather information including your high school transcript among other documents.
Once your plan is in place, you can submit it for review. It is important that you apply and enroll in a school that is approved by the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program.
Remember, not all colleges and universities accept Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts funds. For a full list of schools that participate visit: http://www.militaryonesource.mil.
As you can see, the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program is a great way for spouses of active duty personnel to expand their education.