How to Gain a Certification with the MyCAA Scholarship
Service men and women and their families sacrifice comforts and conveniences on the daily in order to keep our country safe. While the ways of saying thank you feel limited because of the risks they take, there is one sacrifice they shouldn’t have to make—their education. Post-secondary education is for anyone, including military members’ spouses.
Life in the military brings with it unexpected changes such as moving to new locations and adjusting to new communities and lifestyles. Because of the constant fluidity of a military career, it can make pursuing an education daunting for spouses who want to find work in a rewarding and sought-after field.
If you are a military spouse, Blackstone Career Institute is here to provide the necessary guidance and assurance that you can pursue an education, secure job-ready skills, and build a better life for you and your family.
As a Military Friendly School®, Blackstone wants to walk alongside you and remind you that you are seen and the sacrifices you’ve made are not in vain. One way we can support your educational goals is through participating in the My Career Advancement (MyCAA) Scholarship Program that can help you take the next step towards your future.
What is MyCAA?
The MyCAA Scholarship Program provides tuition assistance to military spouses who are seeking a credential for a high-demand job in a career field of interest.
The MyCAA Scholarship can be used regardless of the branch of service you are in, and the financial assistance is valid under the following conditions: if you are a spouse of an active-duty service member or the spouse of a National Guard or reserve service member on Title 10 orders, if you have successfully finished high school or attained a GED, and if your spouse falls within certain pay grades. You can finish your approved education plan if your spouse attains a pay increase.
The MyCAA Scholarship offers up to $4,000 to fund your educational pursuits, with an annual cap of $2,000.
If you still have questions about your eligibility, visit the MyCAA website for more details or review the steps of the process for securing your benefits with Blackstone’s easy step-by-step guide to get started with MyCAA.
Eligible Diploma Programs
One of the goals of using your MyCAA Scholarship is to ensure you find an education program that leads to a credential in an in-demand field. Having a license, certification, or degree can help you find an opportunity in a sought-after industry regardless of where you end up living.
Blackstone wants to prepare you for a career that serves you with your interests and career goals. That’s why we offer three online programs that lead to certification and are available through the MyCAA Scholarship Program. These programs are designed to prepare you for entry-level employment in the field, and the certification exam cost is included in the tuition.
Pharmacy Technician (Certified Pharmacy Technician – CPhT)
A pharmacy technician provides assistance to the pharmacist by filling prescriptions, processing medications, and using a working knowledge base of measurements, medicine names, and dosages to ensure each patient gets the care they need.
Medical Office Assistant (Certified Medical Administrative Assistant – CMAA)
Individuals in this field ensure a streamlined process is followed in the medical office. They answer phone calls, update electronic medical records, schedule appointments, coordinate lab tests and hospital transfers, and more.
Legal Assistant/Paralegal (Certified Paralegal – CP®)
Employees in this industry work closely with lawyers to ensure quality services are provided to clients on a variety of different cases. They spend time fact-checking legal documents, conducting research, performing administrative duties, communicating necessary information with clients, and preparing for trials.
How to Use the MyCAA Scholarship
Now that you’ve decided which career is the right fit for you from the list above, you can get started by verifying your MyCAA eligibility! Visit the MyCAA website to set up a personal profile and complete the DEERS eligibility check.
To get started, login to your MyCAA portal and create your Career and Training Plan. If you choose a Blackstone program, you will next complete our online enrollment form. We will email you our education plan document. Then, you will upload your education plan, apply for financial assistance, and begin your coursework in the program you selected.
Each of these simple, actionable steps will help you move closer to using your MyCAA Scholarship of up to $4,000 toward your tuition as a military spouse.
Annual Cap Waiver
It is important to note that the annual cap waiver can allow students to obtain approval to receive funding for a program over the $2,000 cap if the amount is under $4,000.
You can bring up the cap waiver to your Career Coach at MyCAA during a call, and the Career Coach will go through the waiver cap process with you!
Get Started
Let Blackstone Career Institute serve you no matter where your family is stationed for service. BCI proudly offers portable, accredited career training programs that align with the unique needs of military families.
By utilizing the MyCAA Scholarship, you can receive educational training for an in-demand career and prepare to transition into a job domestically or abroad. Speak with an admissions advisor today who can answer any questions you have about the process!
Written by Laura Conaway
Disclaimer: Blackstone Career Institute, an accredited school, cannot guarantee employment, job promotion prospects, passing exam scores, or income increases.
