There are now three different programs available for spouses to fund their education:
(1) Air Force Aid Society's Spouse Tuition Assistance Program,
(2) the new Military Spouse Career Advancement Account, and
(3) Post 9/11 GI Bill

Each program is unique and provides a variety of benefits. Research each one to determine which will benefit you.

MILITARY SPOUSE CAREER ADVANCEMENT ACCOUNTS (MyCAA) - The departments of Defense and Labor have partnered funding a program called My Career Advancement Account (My CAA). My CAA is a onetime grant of up to $6,000 for military spouses who are interested in pursuing degree programs, licenses or credentials leading to careers in high growth, high demand portable career fields. Application and additional information is at the Military One Source Web site. Funding is for tuition and does not include other school expenses.

Additionally, MyCAA is paid directly to the school. You will be asked to provide an extensive degree plan explaining your education background and current enrollment. This program is not impacted by your spouse's duty station location, and as long as you stay in your degree plan, will follow you as long as your spouse is in the military.

Click here to learn more about the program.

Spouse Tuition Assistance (STAP) is funded by Air Force Aid Society, and is limited to half of the unmet tuition up to $1,500 per year. To be eligible for STAP funding: The spouse of an active-duty Air Force member has to accompany the sponsor to the overseas location. For Air National Guard spouses, the sponsor has to be on Title 10 orders for the duration of the class. Effective Dec. 2, 2009, the spouse must apply for MyCAA first and exhausted or been denied MyCAA funding, or taking courses that are not eligible under MyCAA rules.

The STAP application, filled out on the STAP Web site, is given to the Ed Center STAP representative during the application period. A signed AFAS Form 92 2009-2010 Student Financial Aid Release Form must accompany the STAP application along with the sponsor's leave and earning statement and spouses most recent pay stub.  

Air Force Aid Society Spouse Tuition Assistance Program 

POST 9/11 GI BILL: Another option for spouse education funding is the Post 9/11 GI Bill. This education benefit package has provisions for eligible sponsors to transfer their education benefit to a spouse or dependent child.

For more information, visit the Veterans Affairs Web site.