The My Career Advancement Account Scholarship (MyCAA) is a workforce development program that provides up to $4,000 in financial assistance for career training to eligible military spouses.
This aid can apply to licenses, certifications, national tests, or associate degrees needed to pursue an occupation or career field. Career Step will also include a laptop for MyCAA military spouses signing up for programs that include e-book textbooks.*
* Not all programs have e-book textbooks.
Spouses of active-duty Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, or National Guard/ARG service members in pay grades E-1 to E-5, O-1 to O-2, and W-1 to W-2 are eligible for financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Defense. In addition, the MyCAA Scholarship helps eligible spouses qualify for portable career fields across the United States.
MyCAA benefits do not extend to military spouses who are:
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports dramatic increases in employment across information technology and healthcare services. With MyCAA tuition assistance, spouses of active duty service members will receive training in these in-demand fields.
Military spouses interested in our information technology programs can decide between our IT Systems Administrator or IT Network Specialist certificate programs. We also offer training programs in professional massage therapy and holistic health.
The job market for computer and information technology workers is generally favorable, with many opportunities for job growth and high salaries mostly in the states including Texas, North Carolina, San Diego, Florida and Maryland . ICOHS College offers certificate programs online and offline to prepare students for careers as IT network specialists or IT systems administrators.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 15% from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This increase is expected to result in about 682,800 new jobs over the decade.
Some of the in-demand computer and information technology jobs, as listed by the BLS, include:
The job market for massage therapists can vary depending on the location and the specific type of massage therapy. Some massage therapists work in spas, fitness centers, or health clinics, while others are self-employed and run their own private practices.
According to BLS, the employment of massage therapists is projected to grow 20% from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
Competition for massage therapy jobs can be intense in certain areas, particularly in urban areas with a high concentration of spas and wellness centers. However, the BLS reports that employment opportunities are expected to be favorable overall, especially for massage therapists who have received advanced training in a specific type of massage therapy and have established a reputation for quality work.
ICOHS college offers fast-track programs to prepare students for careers as massage therapists or holistic health practitioners.
Students will be prepared for careers across various settings, including massage therapy clinics, spas and resorts, cruise ships, fitness centers, nursing homes, and doctor’s offices.
To qualify for a MyCAA scholarship, individuals must meet the following requirements:
Here is a comprehensive list of the holistic health program subjects covered under the MYCAA program at ICOHS College:
Professional Massage Therapy: This program offers training in both Eastern and Western modalities, such as Asian bodywork therapies, sports massage, therapeutic massage, deep tissue, basic and advanced Swedish techniques, and special populations.
Holistic Health Practitioner: This program offers high-level holistic applications to enhance massage and bodywork skills. Students also receive training in energy medicine modalities (sound and color therapy, crystals, chakra healing), holistic health applications (mindfulness, breathwork, herbal medicine, aromatherapy), advanced orthopedic assessments, hot stones and cupping massage.
The specific courses and subjects covered under the MYCAA IT program (online and offline) at ICOHS College may vary, but some common areas of study include:
IT Network Specialist: This program covers fundamental to advanced skills and focuses on four highly sought-after IT certifications. Students gain expertise in troubleshooting, configuring, and repairing various devices such as PCs, laptops, printers, cellphones, and tablets, as well as working with networking components like hubs, access points, switches, routers, firewalls, and security devices. This comprehensive program prepares you for certifications and careers ranging from tier I, II, and III IT support & help desk positions to network technician, network analyst, and network administrator roles.
The MyCAA Scholarship pays tuition costs for education and training courses and examinations leading to an associate degree (this does not include associate degrees in General Studies, Liberal Arts, and Interdisciplinary Studies that do not have a concentration).
The scholarship also covers costs for obtaining a license, certificate, or certification at an accredited college, university, or technical school within the United States or an approved testing organization that increases employment or portable career opportunities for military spouses.
Students will receive employment readiness counseling from a career coach to identify expanded career choices and opportunities along with the necessary support resources. This may include childcare, transportation, books, computers, equipment, supplies, and more.
Spouses will also enjoy employment assistance by way of referrals. In addition, MyCAA spouse participants who have completed their programs of study using MyCAA funding will be connected to military-friendly employers, including the Military Spouse Employment Partnership, USAJOBS.gov, CareerOneStop.org, and Blue Star Families Blue Star Career Center.
Check out our post for more information on MyCAA Benefits.
The following is a step-by-step explanation of the process for applying for the MyCAA scholarship:
Visit www.careerstep.com or call 1-855-817-2601 for more information on the application process.
ICOHS College differentiates itself from other approved MyCAA schools in several ways:
Request information about our academic programs and scholarship for military spouses by emailing us at Veterans@ICOHS.edu. You can also give us a call at 858.581.9460 Ext: 8001
The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program applies to careers ranging from aerospace, animal services, education, health and wellness, information security, construction, and more.
The program also provides coverage for skilled trade positions, including cosmetologist, journalist, barber, aesthetician, and designer.
MyCAA programs offered by ICOHS:
The MyCAA Scholarship can be applied to any academic institution that has been approved for participation in the program. The scholarship can be used to pursue licenses, certificates, certifications, or associate degrees necessary to gain employment in high-demand, portable career fields.
You should get a response regarding your MyCAA approval status within ten days of submitting your application.
MyCAA cannot be applied to bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degrees, so you won’t be able to use the scholarship to pursue additional education or credentials.
The maximum financial assistance available through the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program is $4,000. The financial assistance is intended to cover tuition and fees for education and training programs leading to portable, high-demand, and high-growth career fields. The funds can be used to cover the cost of tuition, licensing or certification fees, and exam fees, among other approved expenses.
*Financial Aid is only available to those that qualify.
ICOHS College offers several career training programs that are eligible for funding through the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program. Here are some potential career options that may be available through the MyCAA program at ICOHS College:
