MyCAA: Military Spouse Scholarship, Funding, and Grants for IT Training and Certification

A virtual training program through QuickStart’s QS Academy can help you build a portable IT career that you can take anywhere the military moves you to.

Trusted

Leveraging over 35 years of training experience with up-to-date curriculum.

Flexible

Military spouses will learn industry-leading skills to help build portable careers.

Affordable

Certifications listed below are fully approved for MyCAA benefits.

Why IT?

The IT field is growing at a rapid pace, with a shortage of talent required to fill job positions. The cybersecurity job market, for example, is forecasted to grow 33% in the next decade. The IT field is also becoming increasingly remote, which is ideal for military spouses who wish to nurture a career amid constant PCS moves.

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What Is MyCAA?

MyCAA stands for My Career Advancement Account. This government program is designed to help military spouses to receive career advancement education and certifications at no out-of-pocket cost. If you are eligible, you may be entitled to receive up to $4,000 of your education costs covered.

View the MyCAA program fact sheet

What are the MyCAA eligibility requirements?

You must be a military spouse of an active-duty, Reserve, or National Guard service member. This program is open to spouses of all military branches in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Your service member must be one of the following ranks when you enroll: E1-E5, W1 or W2, O1 or O2. You must also possess a high school diploma or GED.

IT Training & Certifications Approved
for MyCAA Scholarship

QS Academy’s programs do not require prior IT experience. Our education programs include exam vouchers for certification, hands-on labs, and career services to help military spouses build portable careers.
Visit our MyCAA profile.

CompTIA A+

This course prepares aspiring IT professionals for the 220-1001 (Core 1) and 220-1002 (Core 2) certification exams. It is designed for those with basic computer skills looking to start their IT career as an IT technician. The program utilizes the official CompTIA curriculum and includes labs for a hands-on learning experience.

Duration: 5 days
Modality: Virtual Instructor-Led (VILT)
Price: $2,000

CompTIA Network+

This course will teach students about identifying security fundamentals and threats, analyzing risk, conducting security assessments, implementing network, operational, host, and software security, managing identity and access, implementing cryptography, addressing security issues, and ensuring business continuity.

Duration: 5 days
Modality: Virtual Instructor-Led (VILT)
Price: $2,000

CompTIA Security+

Learn the basic knowledge needed to perform IT security functions and the skills required to solve a variety of problems. Our course utilizes the official CompTIA curriculum and labs to teach you the basic knowledge needed to plan, implement, and maintain information security with neutral vendors.

Duration: 5 days
Modality: Virtual Instructor-Led (VILT)
Price: $2,000

Healthcare IT Specialist Certification

Gain a path into the healthcare industry through this training program. You will learn to navigate hardware, software, systems, networks, and essential Microsoft tools that are necessary for managerial-level positions. The course will also give you introductory training on Digital Security Awareness, an essential knowledge to understand protecting confidential patient information.

Duration: 45 Hours
Modality: Virtual Self-Paced
Price: $2,950

Cybersecurity Analyst Certification

Learn the critical skills for various cyber security careers. This program covers some of the following areas: Networking, Computer/system fundamentals, cyber security, security analytics, penetration testing, ethical hacking, and scripting. If you have at least an associate degree and want to pursue cyber security – this course is for you!

Duration: 24 weeks/6 months
Modality: Virtual Instructor-Led
Price: $3,950

Software Engineering

Our online software engineering program will help you launch your career in the field, qualifying you for at least an entry-level role. Our curriculum will help you strengthen an understanding of programming concepts, responsive web design, Bootstrap, WordPress, and more. You'll also learn multiple programming languages over the 23 weeks.

Duration: 23 weeks/6 months
Modality: On-demand courses and Live Mentor Sessions Included
Price: $4,000 Exam Included

Enrollment process in a QS Academy program through MyCAA

1. Complete your MyCAA registration

Register online and read the MyCAA fact sheet, terms & conditions, and successfully answer the quiz questions. Fill in your profile with the necessary personal information, education/training, and employment history. You will also need a DS Login – the same log in required to access Tricare Online.

2. Schedule A Meeting

Schedule a meeting with our government program advisor. Our advisor will help guide you through the different training options and discuss what the best option is for you.

3. MyCAA Education & Training Plan

If you choose to use a QuickStart - QS Academy program, get the Education & Training plan for your desired program while talking to our government admissions advisor. This plan needs to be approved to receive financial assistance; it includes your career goal and information about the chosen school, program and coursework. Plans may take up to 14 business days to be approved.

4. Approved MyCAA Scholarship Application

Your MyCAA Scholarship application for your chosen QS Academy program got approved! We are excited for you to begin your virtual, self-paced journey to a more rewarding career.

"Very Informative..."

"Overall, the process was simple and straight forward regarding the class and plan for certifications. The team is there and quick to respond to your questions and get you ready for the courses. The course mentors and assistants were very helpful and available to answer questions, and they know the material very well. The bootcamp itself was heavy. A lot of modules and lab time, but very informative and useful for not only helping gain the information needed to pass the certification exam but also the world of cybersecurity."

"I had a blast…"

"To be very honest, I had no formal knowledge of cybersecurity or the initial grasp on how deep and far this program expands when it comes to knowing, doing, and exploring different avenues of the subject. But one thing is for sure, I had an absolute blast taking this bootcamp, and would recommend it to anyone looking to start a fresh path to a new career or job. I'm super impressed with the career services, as they really have helped me with resume building, exploring the job market, and good advice when looking for opportunities."

MyCAA FAQs

How do I apply for the MyCAA scholarship?

You will need to register online at: https://mycaa.militaryonesource.mil/mycaa/notice-and-consent Read the MyCAA Fact Sheet, terms and conditions, and answer the quiz questions. Once you have filled in your profile with the necessary personal information, education/training, and employment history – your profile is set up. To log in to your MyCAA profile, you will need to use the DS login that you use to access Tricare.

You can get additional help by contacting a SECO Career Coach through Military One Source, or by contacting one of our government admissions advisors at QuickStart. To contact our advisors, click on the green “Schedule a Call” button located further above on this web page.

How does MyCAA work?

MyCAA or My Career Advancement Account Scholarship is a workforce development program that provides up to $4,000 of tuition assistance to eligible military spouses. The scholarship assists military spouses in pursuit of professional licenses, certifications, and degrees that are necessary for the spouse to gain employment in a career field.

Military spouses must create a MyCAA account and speak with an admissions advisor at their desired school to complete an education & training plan (ETP) and obtain a price quote for the desired course(s). Once this information is uploaded and approved by Military One Source, funding will be dispersed, and then the military spouse may begin their program.

What does MyCAA pay for?

The MyCAA scholarship can be applied to help cover tuition costs for associate degrees and certificate programs (excluding general studies), as well as additional expenditures such as exam fees for certification or licensure.

What does MyCAA NOT pay for?

MyCAA does not pay for courses and exams that are not included in the education and training plan (ETP), or courses that have already been started or completed by the spouses. The scholarship also does not pay for some of the following. Please see the MyCAA fact sheet for the full listing of instances that are not fundable by MyCAA/Military One Source.

Reimbursements
Books, supplies, uniforms, computers & electronics devices
Student activities, events, and entertainment
Prepayment or deposits for future courses, unless costs are part of a block of study
High school completion courses

Can you use MyCAA more than once?

MyCAA offers a maximum of $4,000 but there is an annual cap of $2,000, meaning that you can apply for funds twice (assuming the full $2,000 is used each time).

How to sign up for MyCAA?

What is the MyCAA scholarship?

Do I have to pay back MyCAA?

TMyCAA is a scholarship assistance program, not a loan. Those eligible for MyCAA will be responsible for any remaining expenses after they’ve received MyCAA assistance.

Am I eligible for the MyCAA scholarship?

You must be a military spouse of an active-duty, Reserve, or National Guard service member. This program is open to spouses of all military branches in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Your service member must be one of the following ranks when you enroll: E1-E5, W1 or W2, O1 or O2. You must also possess a high school diploma or GED.

What are the system requirements for this course?

Students are required to have a basic computer system with minimum off 4 GB RAM and 5 GB free disk space.