Military Spouse Benefits

MyCAA provides up to $4,000 in scholarship funding for eligible military spouses to pursue licenses, certifications, associate degrees, continuing education, and testing for credit. The annual cap is $2,000 per fiscal year.

Eligibility

• Spouses of active-duty servicemembers in grades E-1 through E-9, W-1 through W-3, and O-1 through O-3
• Spouses of Guard/Reserve members on Title 10 orders in the same grades
• Not available to spouses of senior officers (O-4+) or senior warrant officers (W-4+)

How to Apply

1. Register at mycaa.militaryonesource.mil
2. Work with a SECO career advisor to develop your Education and Training Plan
3. Receive funding approval
4. Use the funds at approved educational institutions

Military spouses frequently lose their careers with each PCS move because professional licenses do not transfer between states. The 2023 Veterans Auto and Education Improvement Act amended the SCRA to help military spouses take professional licenses to new duty stations.

• State approaches vary: Some states offer expedited applications, others issue temporary licenses, and some provide full license reciprocity
• Nevada requires state agencies to develop reciprocity for military spouse licenses
• New Jersey issues temporary permits to licensed military spouses
• The Department of Labor maintains a Military Spouse Interstate License Recognition Options database showing each state's rules

Check your new state's requirements before a PCS move. Many licensing boards have specific military spouse provisions — contact them directly.

EFMP is a mandatory DoD enrollment program for military families with special needs members (physical, emotional, developmental, or intellectual). It ensures that PCS assignments consider the family member's medical and educational needs.

• Resources and support for navigating military life with special needs
• Assignment coordination so you are stationed near appropriate medical and educational services
• Respite care programs
• Educational support and advocacy

Access through Military OneSource or your installation Family Support Center.

The Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) program provides free career counseling, resume assistance, and job search support through Military OneSource. Services include:

• One-on-one career coaching
• Resume and cover letter assistance
• Job search strategies and networking guidance
• Education planning and MyCAA guidance
• LinkedIn profile help and interview preparation

Contact: Military OneSource at 1-800-342-9647 | myseco.militaryonesource.mil | VA career resources at va.gov/resources/career-resources-for-military-and-surviving-spouses

Since January 1, 2020, access to military commissaries, exchanges, and MWR retail facilities has been expanded to include:

• Service-connected disabled veterans
• Purple Heart recipients
• Former prisoners of war
• Primary family caregivers (enrolled in the VA Caregiver Program)
• Surviving spouses (if they have not remarried)
• Dependents and survivors of eligible service members

Access requires a Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC) or other qualifying ID.

Active-duty servicemembers can transfer their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to a spouse or children. This is one of the most valuable military benefits — worth over $100,000 in tuition, housing, and book stipends.

• Must be done while the servicemember is still on active duty — you cannot transfer after separation
• Requires at least 6 years of service and a commitment to serve 4 more years
• Spouse can use benefits immediately; children must wait until servicemember has completed at least 10 years of service
• Children must use the benefit before age 26

Transfer through milConnect. For more details, see our Education page.