Many school bound military spouses may find an unpleasant surprise waiting for them when they visit the DoD Career Advancement Account Program (a.k.a. Spouse Tuition Assistance) portal today. As of 4 PM on Feb. 16, 2010, visitors to the My Career Advancement Account Program (MyCAA) portal on MilitaryOneSource have found the following message:
“Effective immediately the MyCAA program is temporarily halting operations. We are reviewing the software applications, financial assistance documents and overall program. This pause will not affect approved Financial Assistance documents. We apologize for any inconveniences this may cause. Please check back for updates.”
A MilitaryOneSource representative explained that the program was “paused” for at least two months to address unspecified issues.
According to the MilitaryOneSource representative, Spouses who are currently taking classes or have been approved for specific classes will continue to receive assistance. However, those with pending applications, or classes that have not yet been approved will not receive MyCAA benefits until the program is restarted, leaving many spouses and schools hanging in the wind.
Military spouses can contact MilitaryOneSource at 1.800.342.9647 for assistance or visit the Military.com Education Center to find alternative funding sources and education bemefits.
FAQs covering the MyCAA pause are now available.
A more comprehensive article on the situation can be found at Military.com. Full Article.
This is a breach of contract for many individuals relying on this benefit as one of the bargained for benefits to military enlistment.
Technically, and I'm going to Law School, there is no breach. If you have received you FA documents, they will still pay. If you have not received this, then they have not accepted you to have breached. Additionally, military benefits refer to those the ACTIVE DUTY member gets… not his spouse as a 3rd party beneficiary since you had no bargaining power in the contract. You husband does not get to utilize this program… what was probably said was, "And you wife can take advantage of this program… " which you still we be able to once they make corrections… this is not the first program to be altered or taken away, and it will not be the last. Additionally, there are qualifications you have to meet before you even get the funds, so signing a contract does even guarantee you have access to the program if you have not met certain qualifications. If you are a new military spouse, I suggest you learn a very important fact… DoD will do what's in the best interest for them, and promises made will be broken…
Actually, if you look at the enlistment forms, it does not discuss the actual programs, all it say is you will received the programs allocated by law, and that if such law changes… so do you your benefits. 1st Rule of Contracts… READ WHAT IT SAYS before you claim a breach :)
No matter what the recruiter says, things change. You may be promised a job, but guess what, if they need you on the battlefield holding a gun… that's what you're doing. Sorry… you're dealing with the military, not the civilian world…
You could get your Financial Assistance only so many days in advance. And when it was time to have my course approved they halted the program. I'm in the middle of my studies. And I have been separated from my husband for over 7 months because of my educational commitment. And it turns out that it was for nothing?! My incomplete education is worthless.
Tatiana
I'm in shock. My degree program was incomplete from my school until late yesterday because of transferring credits (so I had no course codes and degree plan to submit)…I log in today & find this. I have no idea how I'm going to continue my education. I'm with Tatiana, my incomplete education is worthless. A little warning would have been nice…
I hate to say it but it's only $6,600 right just take out student loans until it starts up again.
Easy for you to say. Sorry, but not everyone believes in going in debt.
But you do believe in waiting for the government to hand you money? Sorry, but that's a bit pathetic.
The government not giving us anything we dont derserve do you live with out your spouse 50 % of the time. Do you move every three years. Have you put your life out for this country?
I can't believe you would even think about just rolling over and taking this like a door mat! Many spouse have given up all of their own interests for years and now we should just let them take away something we have waited for.
Do you realize that at a community college i could get an associates for that much?
Do you know if the GI bill veteran scholarships expire at some point. example: 10 years
I was grateful for the money. I just think about people who were not able to get any money. They move ahead and do what they have to do without any complaining. Shouldn't we do the same. If you really want to go to school you will find a way to get there, belive me!!!!
I am starting back up with classes this spring. I was supposed to be attending Spring, Summer, and Fall quarters in order to finish school by the time my husband gets out of the military. $6,600 may not sound like much, but that's all that I needed to finish the last three quarters of my schooling, and now I don't have any funding with classes starting in a month!!! This 'temporary halt' is a major set back. Plus, it isn't fun to tell your husband who is deployed that you just had to take out an emergency loan. If you ask me, the last minute halt is just wrong. As a military wife and a student, I feel like I'm left hanging without any help to find a track to get to where I need to be.
I am shocked that they would leave us totally hanging in the winds here. It is just plain wrong. People are depending on this financial assistance and for some it now means they will have to drop classes. I am lucky that I am in my last semester and will have to only pay for 2 of my last classes on my own. Atleast I squeezed a few thousand out of them for last semester and most of this semester…they really should have waited until atleast the spring semester ended to halt funding and given people a notice…its just not right! Instead of helping us they are screwing us over.
If you contact your education offices at the base/post you are at, they may be able to find some military spouse scholarships to help until the tuition assistance program starts up again. I have someone working with me right now on finding something that might help get me through til then.
And what about the spouses without a base education office. I have been accompanying my husband for 10 years to locations without a base for support.
ThanksUSA offers spouse scholarships for undergads. Applications are accepted annually between April 1 and May 15 http://www.thanksusa.org/main/scholarships.html
This was going to be a boost to help me start my Master's degree sooner than I had planned. I think it is wrong to do the 'sudden halt' I think more notice would have been more appropriate. Apparently there must have been some exploitation of the program…unfortunately there are kinks and those who ruin it for everyone. Worse case the American Opportunity Tax Credit will still be around next year…so any money spent on tuition, materials, etc. (for most things) will be returned. Good luck to everyone on their school…please try not to let this bring you down…make it work for you…I know the money helped a great deal…but hopefully it will be back.
Why blame spouses for the stupidity of the DUS/MP&FP? "Apparently there must have been some exploitation of the program…unfortunately there are kinks and those who ruin it for everyone." I trust that all of my fellow spouses have been honest in their dealings with this fund otherwise we would endanger it for the rest. I would never assume a exploitation has occured.
It also is possible that when DoD announced that it was going to give $6000 to any spouse that was going to school, they received many more applications than they had anticipated. I'll bet that now they are trying to figure out a way to adjust the program requirements to weed out many of the applicants.
In my opinion, this does not make any sense. Per recent articles that I have read, the proposed 2011 budget has a reported increase of $84 million for spousal career development, tuition assistance and a federal internship program. On one hand, it seems like the government is going to provide the support. On the other hand, it seems like the government is not going to provide the support. Hopefully, it will all be worked out soon so everyone can get back to advancing their careers!
I think a huge part of the problem is that a lot of spouses who have no intention of seeking employment or completing a degree program have been abusing the MyCAA funds. My neighbor for example, got MyCAA funds to pay for a school that was about $4000 per quarter…she then applied for federal financial aid and got the maximum Pell Grant, so MyCAA paid first and she walked away with a huge refund from the school (and the school's name ends in LLC—Limited Liabilty Corporation). It's an online program and she waits until the LAST possible minute to submit her work. She has already stated she has no intention to get a job until her kids are grown up (she has 6 and the youngest just turned a year old)…Can't say I blame them for wanting to review the program.
I agree with your statement. I brought this up awhile ago to friends stating that their are individuals who are abusing this privilege we have to go back to school so we can seek employment. There are too many people I know right now that are doing programs out of a hobby and have no desire to use it for education. I know this wife that is using the program to get a certificate, just to say she is qualified but has no intentions of EVER using this for employment. She just completed one certificate program out of pocket, (that she may get a job in), she already has the education to get a job and this area of study has nothing to do with continuing her education. I just cannot believe this was approved for her.
There are spouses that have a real need and desire to use the funds correctly and get an education. I know I needed the funds for school, and now I am going to have to find another route to complete this. I did not want to take out a loan for school. Hopefully when the program starts back up it will help out the spouses with the need and desire to succeed.
Agreed. I think the program probably became so popular so quickly that things were falling through the cracks on the oversight side. I love the flexibility of the program and lack of red tape. However, this is reminder that red tape usually happens for a reason – because some Jacka–es take advantage of it. I certainly don't want tax dollars wasted on people who are not using the program for legitimate means. Its a damn shame its come to this.
Also, this halt has inconvenienced me greatly as I'm trying to finish a program at a local school before we move to a new duty station next year. But I also remind myself this is a "benefit" provided by the govt./DOD and I shouldn't take that for granted. I hope this problem is corrected and the program is open again very, very soon. And those who have caused this problem are dealt with accordingly.
While your point that people might not get a new career as the result of this program is well taken, there are several factual errors in your comment. If your neighbor is in a program that costs $4,000 per quarter, the $6,000 MYCAA lifetime benefit isn't going to last very long — it shouldn't have been approved. It should be noted that you can only use the money to pay tuition AFTER the course is completed, so the part about the refund is totally off-base.
No disrespect, but I think some people need to read the documents they signed with the program again. It clearly states that the program will pay for 'current semester courses UP TO $6000'. They did not promise you $6000 free and clear.
They have also stated in several articles online that the program is temporarily halted, not permanently. They are doing it now so that the summer semester registration is not effected. Yes, it effects those wanting to start second 8 week courses and that it unfortunate, but it is completely within their right based on the guidelines set in the program, to which we all legally agreed.
This was very poor form. While the MYCAA program isn't contractually required to make tuition payments, once funding is approved people make life choices around it. The program is creating stress rather than alleviating it. I'm certain that wasn't the goal of the program.
A better way to have handled it would have been to halt NEW applications to the program, not to cut people off in the middle of their training.
AMEN
You made a valid point, Laura.
It sounds like this only affects new applications. The article above says that "spouses who are taking classes or are approved for specific classes will continue to receive assistance."
The program has halted for all except those currently taking or approved for a class. However, those currently taking a class will not be able to take any future classes until the program restarts.
Laura your absolutely right, I based my future around this program. We wait for an opening like this, then its snatched away from us. This goes against all moral. Its hard enough being a military spouse, having to adapt after each and every move, the least they can do is provide us assistance with furthering our education……………. Disgusted
I absolutly agree and I also think we should have gotten some sort of email notification. My school didn't even know they halted the program until I logged on to put my next set of classes in and found out. My school bills them in week 3 and usually gets sent payment by week 6 but has yet to be paid for the class I have just finished. So I had to take out student loans to register for my next set of classes and that is unfortunate because the 4,000 I had left to use was going to pay for the balance of classes for my degree.
i think it is ridiculous that they cannot continue a program for us spouses at such a minimal cost… only $6,000 per spouse. do they not realize how much we sacrifice on a daily basis to support our active duty husbands??? it would be nice to get the support that WE need. my husband and i just completed a very detailed research period and plan to put me through school in order to support us fully because his salary is not enough and my career has come to a standstill this past year due to the poor economy. the MyCAA money which was my right as a spouse to use was going to get me through the initial certifications and first degree in order to start working and contributing to our finances as soon as possible. we do do not have any extra money coming in to even consider taking on a studen loan. now i am stuck because my certif class was due to start on march 15. then i was to take prerequisite classes and then start my one year degree in the summer or fall. now everything is thrown off track and we still will not have any money coming in. i am completely pissed and fee dis-respected as a loyal spouse that the military cannot give us even a little bit.
The average illegal family in the USA collects $1,800 a month (LOOK IT UP!) in food stamps, alone. It's no wonder the HOR has foresaken the military, its disabled vets, and the American family (military & civilian, alike). Illegals come first! (If not, why aren't we getting rid of them, instead?)
This did not come as a surprise to me. Without any selecting criteria, I did not expect this program to last very long, as I knew the funds would eventually run out. They should have established merit and need criteria. The spouse of an O-10 or a spouse with a low GPA should not, in my opinion, have the same entitlements as the spouse of a junior enlisted or a spouse with a top notch GPA. They gave money to everyone and this is what happened. Definitely not a surprise.
I think we should pickett the capital let the world see how well the military takes care of their spouses.
I agree with Marie. How about this? Let the world see how the USA takes care of it's military and their families!?
I'm kinda down about this because I was going to start up with school again in the spring, but complaining isn't going to help anything. Plus I dunno what yall are so suprised about.. The military life is unpredictable, why should school funding from the military be any different? I agree that this sucks and that there could've been more warning, but as military spouses, what happened to your plan B?
Just because we know the military is always changing….and just because we know how crappy spouces are treated…(dental and vision care SUCKS)…doesn't mean we should sit back and say nothing. Keep voicing those oppinions ladies! We need a military REFORM !!
I respect many of your opinions, however, it is important to understand that we are "owed" nothing extra by the simple virtue of being a military spouse. Yes, it is nice to receive added benefits here and there–and indeed, we should be grateful for those; but, as military spouses, there is no signed contract of "I-O-U's" that accompanies our wedding vows. When we stand there and simply say, "The government owes me this handout, period," we are contributing to the very mentality that has prompted this program to be placed on hold. I know what it means to pace the floors during stressful deployments; I know that being in the military is not always easy. And I am as disappointed as the next spouse that my funding has been placed on hold. But we signed up for these challenges and their accompanying blessings when we said, "I do." No one owes us a band-aid. We're military spouses. We are strong and resourceful. We can come up with constructive solutions without resorting to random blaming. Reflect upon the knowledge you gained from your last political science class and then consider the issues at hand through that lens. You will begin to see what the true problems are and where the solutions lie.
Like many of you who posted comments I am very pissed about them halting the program. I didn't have any classes approved but I planned on going back to school at the end of March. I just submitted my application for grad school and was counting on this money to help me get started. Some have stated that we should find other ways to go back to school. Well student loans are not an option I don't need anymore debt. And most scholarships have varying deadlines and dates that they provide the award so that can be tough. I'm not looking for a hand out just trying to better myself w/out going further into debt. Hopefully they work it out and get this program going again for those who need it.
I know this will not help everyone, and it will not provide the immediate financial assistance that most are in need of, but ThanksUSA awards $3000 scholarships to military dependents: children and spouses. Applications are accepted annually between April 1 and May 15. Must maintain 2.0 GPA and be enrolled full-time in an undergrad program in a 2 yr or 4 yr college, university, vocational, or technical school. <a href="http://www.ThanksUSA.org” target=”_blank”>www.ThanksUSA.org I wish everyone the best with their academic pursuits.
There is nothing in any enlist form that agrees to pay spouse education so your all talking about something that doesnt even exist!
There is nothing in an enlist form that says wives must quit jobs every -3-4 years, take pay cuts, beome single parents on a moments notice, move to some of the most expensive or depressed areas of the country and be seperated from family and friends during many holidays either, but we do it. Thank god we do, cause I doubt your US Military member would be "Mission Ready with 3-5 kidds in tow" now would they?
I have read your comments and have effective means of accessing the grant funds which are owed to you and which are getting ready to become available.
GRANT MONEY is so important to anyone trying to complete their eduation. Especially MILITARY SPOUSES.
I have late-breaking news from Department of Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates which I'd be happy to pass along to you, with never any cost to you.
Email me at: james@militaryeducationresource.org
Read more:http://military-education.military.com/2010/02/my…
Oh and PS
I work, make more money than he does, pay all the bills when he's gone and in fact, am the cheese on his cracker….that he gets in a care package from home.
We deserve everything we have never been given.
I'm writing to ask your members of congress to join the Congressional Military Family Caucus in
signing a letter to the Pentagon urging Defense officials to reinstate
Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (CAA).
The Pentagon suspended CAA enrollments last week, citing concerns about
the potential cost because much larger-than-expected numbers of spouses
were enrolling.
Congress authorized the CAA program last year to authorize financial
support to help military spouses with education, training, and
certification/licensing expenses needed to offset career disruptions
caused by military-directed relocations.
The suspension has left 38,000 applicants hanging, with no viable
alternative. The abrupt suspension jeopardizes the tremendous goodwill
and appreciation engendered among spouses for this extremely important
program.
Additionally, my spouse is one of the 38,000. She was entering her class
codes into the system to complete her application at 5 pm one evening and
saw that they had shut down the program only 1 hour earlier. We couldn't
believe it – she had already been told by program officials by email that
she had been approved for the program. She is concerned, as she has
already enrolled in the courses and will have to pay, regardless of how
the program turns out. In fact, she is concerned that the University will
collect and then by her paying, will make her ineligible for MyCAA funding
which is to be handled directly between the Federal government and the
University.
Please ask your members of congress to contact the offices of the Caucus co-chairs, Reps. Sanford Bishop
or Cathy McMorris-Rogers by noon Monday, March 1 to join in signing the
Caucus letter.
I have read your comments and have effective means of accessing the grant funds which are owed to you and which are getting ready to become available.
GRANT MONEY is so important to anyone trying to complete their eduation. Especially MILITARY SPOUSES.
I have late-breaking news from Department of Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates which I'd be happy to pass along to you, with never any cost to you.
Email me at: james@militaryeducationresource.org
What I am disappointed about the newly resumed MyCAA funding is that it will only be available till 15 Jan 2010 to the active-duty military spouses, who are already in the system, if their husband's rank is over E-5. My husband is E-7; therefore, the MyCAA funding I am using now will not be available to me anymore for the certification degree I intend to finish.
I had MyCAA contacting me saying I could register for classes & Not pay ANYTHING .
I dont know If I read it wrong , but Will I be paying 4000$ or will I be paying nothing ?
What all Am I paying for ? What all do I need to start ??
Well to all Im not upset that they are limiting the money. But the limited ranks got me. I qualified this quarter but I dont qualify any more…Since when did being an E-6 classify you as upper scale? I live in a military sub division where i have a E-3 across the street with the same house (BHA). But yet we are not entitled to the spouse tuition? Wow! BUT you know what uncle Sam I have 2 quarters left to graduate and you will not stop me. FAMILY first my tail
Cry me a river… not too many jobs (except education) offer spouse education benefits.
Also, not many jobs pay someone more just for being married either!
And another… that $6600 is more than what active duty military get.
You can't complain to me- I am active duty military and I am SICK of hearing military wives complaining about how hard they have it!!!
Get a job and make it work- I have a job (in the military) and I am going to school full time too!
Maybe if more spouses went to community colleges, they wouldn't be dipping into DoD TA year after year and this wouldn't be an issue…
Well… the active duty member is a ssgt… assuming that you didn't just marry him, you have had some time to get some education done, what did you wait until now to get serious about it?!
The military should NEVER be seen as "Family First"… Their top priority should be the people they pay- the service members