By Carl Surran
Spouse Program Eligibility Expanded
Summer 2008
The Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (CAA) demonstration, launched last year as a joint Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Labor initiative, has been expanded to include spouses of active-duty servicemembers in all pay grades.
The pilot program, which offers military spouses education and training in high-growth, high-demand occupations, is offered in eight states: California (San Diego metro area and Camp Pendleton), Colorado (Fort Carson, Fort Peterson), Florida (Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field), Georgia (Fort Benning), Hawaii (Hickam Air Force Base, Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay, Schofield Barracks), Maine (Naval Air Station Brunswick), North Carolina (Fort Bragg, Pope Air Force Base) and Washington (Fort Lewis, Fort McChord, Naval Station Kitsap).
CAAs are flexible education funding accounts to pay for expenses directly related to post-secondary education and training, including tuition, fees, books, equipment, and credentialing and licensing fees. Accounts pay as much as $3,000 for one year and may be renewed for one additional year, for a total two-year amount of up to $6,000 per spouse.
Program applications are available at Education Centers on participating installations.
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