Dude!! I just scored the money to pay for my associates in accounting!!! You ladies have GOT to check this out, it is worth the time!! I'm attending a community college, so the 3K a year MORE than pays for my tuition AND books.
They said today that they have PLENTY of funding, so you ladies need to take advantage of this program!!!
OMG, when we were talking about this this morning, I though you meant 3K for the whole 2 - 2 1/2 years, not 3K per year!! That's a lot!!!
Man, I may look into this....hehehe. Wonder if they fund Master's degrees.
A veteran - whether active duty, retired, National Guard or Reserve - is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life." That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand that - Author unknown.
Ohhhhhh... I remember this now. Yeah, I don't qualify, I'm not in any of those places. Oh well. Thanks for the info, it's good to know that there are folks out there that can benefit from it. It gives me hope.
Originally posted by mrsdlhall: I guess they're doing it at certain locations because it's a pilot program. I wish EVERY spouse anywhere could use it!!!
Contact your Senator and Congressman about this and make sure that it is offered at all locations. We really need to push it so it will go through. Especially for OCONUS locations where it is difficult to find a job.
Just giving this a little bump... I just received an email stating that the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account Program will be available here in Korea beginning in January 2009.
WOO HOO!!!!!!! I had put my education on temporary hold due to financial restraints (I didn't want to take out another school loan in the current unstable economy), but if I can qualify for this program, I will definitely get this done. I just have another year to go to get my BS!! Yay, I'm so excited!!!
That is great to hear, can you send me a link to it so I can look into it.
I have noticed that they are now discontinuing it in Hawaii (too many doing it I guess) and Maine. I just wish they would get all bases aligned to do this.
The link referenced for the program is Military One Source. The other reference is an 800 number to call after January 2009 for more information. I tried to send you a message but it kept coming back with an error. I can post the 2 paragraphs pertaining to the program on here if you'd like.
Starting in January, 2009, Spouses to Teachers is being transitioned into a different kind of program, under the guidance of the Military OneSource Center. (www.militaryonesource.com) STT will become a part of the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account program (MSCAAP), which had previously been a pilot project available in only a few states. It is a program designed to provide financial assistance for education and training to spouses who are seeking certification in any number of career fields, like teaching.
The MS Career Advancement Account Program will be available to active duty spouses and the spouses of activated Guard and Reserve members only. The Career Advancement Account Program will provide up to $6000 towards the costs of education and training for teacher certification. The guidelines and processes are currently being established, but are supposed to be in place by the end of the year. Beginning in January, 2009, you may call MSCAAP at 1-866-768-6192 to find out how to take advantage of the financial benefits. Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Caveats: FOUO
I hope I am reading the new information correctly - someone help me clarify. I know it looks like the details will not be worked out for another couple of months, but I just want to know if I am interpreting what we do know now correctly.
Right now, my understanding is STT, as it is currently, in 2008, covers costs of transferring certification or gaining it up to $500 (or thereabouts)?
It appears that the STT program is being moved to CAA and the funding will increase.
Does this change to $6000 mean you can apply that money towards tuition as well? Some of the state "alternative licensure" programs for people who have a BS already are only 18 credit hours and would be covered by this amount.
That would be a great option. Does anyone know if this means the CAA will be opened up to all bases/posts?
I am planning getting my Masters in something else, starting this spring, but would consider teacher certification in ECE/Birth to 3rd grade, if I could cover most of the costs of certification.
The only problem I foresee is the leveled teaching licenses - in my current state, you are a level one for 1-2 years, which is a provisional license. Not sure if a provisional license is reciprocal anywhere else - what does a spouse do if they have not gotten to a license that can be reciprocal and they move overseas to DoDDS schools or to a different state? I am not sure how it works in other states, just that new teachers in my state have to work under an assigned mentor for 1-2 yrs before getting a level 2/professional license.
THEY HAVENT UPDATED ALL THE INFORMATION RESOURCES BUT THIS PROGRAM (MYCAA) CAREER ADVANCEMENT ACCOUNTS IS AVAILABLE TO ALL MILITARY SPOUSES REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU ARE STATIONED. IT IS NO LONGER RESTRICTED TO CERTAIN AREAS! GREAT NEWS!!!!
I just set my account up last night but they told me that it won't be available to everyone until May 26. Here is the website link if anyone is interested https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa/default.aspx
I signed up for an account last week. My school wasn't listed so I added it. The school got approved the next day. But now getting the school to sign up is a pain. I called the contact number for the program and they stated a lot of wives are having issues too from schools being skeptical about this program. Be persistent and get your school added. But remember its for high demand portable careers.
Oh well. Thanks for the info, it's good to know that there are folks out there that can benefit from it. It gives me hope. 
