MyCAA Shutdown!!!

[MOMx3]

For those that are currently utilizing the MyCAA program, it has been shut down while the program is being reviewed.

If you are currently enrolled/taking classes and/or have had funds approved before 16 Feb then you are ok.. but any future funding has been halted

http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=58009

Many military spouses are in an uproar over this... not so much that this benefit was yanked from underneath us... but the way DoD went about doing this... No one has been given the courtesy of notification and have found out about it through social media

[annunaki]

If you are currently enrolled/taking classes and/or have had funds approved before 16 Feb then you are ok.. but any future funding has been halted

The website link you gave failed to mention that those currently enrolled in the program cannot request any tuition assistance. The FA (financial aid) button is gone from the user's account page which means...no cash until they're done with whatever.

I really wish the CAA folks would give a timeline for this thing.

[balling]

do NOT call UMUC for this by the way. they cant help you, its not their program.

Just saving you some time

[nikki]

Thanks for explaining that! I just applied for it for the first time about 2 weeks ago and and it sent me an approval message with instructions on how to proceed, but I couldn't figure out why that button was missing!!!

[VetteChic]

*****WARNING******************** ***********************RANT COMING... but followed by email ya'll should read!!*********************

First of all, to annunaki.... This is just like the bunch of us that heard in early February that effective Jan 1, HYT has been scaled back and those planning on retiring 2 years or so from now.. are " SURPRISE!!!! " retiring in April 2011... two months short of the end of the school year.... which of course, I have a graduationg senior in 2011. (Total run-on sentence ... sorry!) OMG I could fill a page with that alone.. but I won't....

Since this thread is about MyCAA.. or the halting thereof... let me share with ya'll the email thread that has taken place between me and "customer service" Please start at the bottom with my original message and move upward.

I sent a reply to the person, and then started a new message in hopes someone else gets it....

Created By: xxxxxxxx
Date: 2/25/2010 2:37:49 AM

Good Morning:

I am hoping that this email reaches a different "customer service" representative... one that will actually take the time to read the question that I had. Please see email thread below. I'm really disappointed that an auto reply was sent to a question that impacts my future and the possibility of my having to stop the college education that I very appreciatively am finally getting to start after 20 years out of high school. This apparently wasn't important to Mr. Danner, but it is extremely important to me.

Thank You.
xxxxxxxxxxxx



Did you even READ my question? Or did you just copy and paste an auto response?

I KNOW the program has been halted, which is what prompted my question... which was regarding my husband's forced early retirement date and the ability to use MyCaa past his retirement date due to the "halting" of the program putting me on an even shorter timeline.

Can someone please answer the question that I actually asked? I'd appreciate an individualized response. Thank you.

____________________________________________
Created By: Danner, Samuel
Date: 2/24/2010 12:32:52 PM


Mrs.xxxxxxxxx,



As per the notification on the MyCAA web site, effective as of 4:00 PM EST, Tuesday, February 16th the MyCAA program is temporarily halting operations. The DoD is reviewing the software applications, financial assistance documents and overall program. During this phase in operations, spouses will not be allowed to request Financial Assistance (FA) for MyCAA funding. This will affect future classes which may already be on approved Career and Training Plans but where no FA has been yet applied for. This pause will not affect approved Financial Assistance documents. Please continue to check back with the MyCAA web site for information, as no timetable has been set for any reinstituting of any of the funding.



Best regards,

Samuel



____________________________________________
Created By: xxxxxxxxxx
Date: 2/24/2010 7:11:29 AM

is it correct that I can only use the MyCaa account until my husband retires from active duty even though i got approved while he was active? We planned on retiring in 2012, and just found out that he has to retire in 2011, April or June. So with MyCaa now on hold for an unknown amount of time it is cutting down on even more time on me. Will the benefits be extended beyond the retirement date by the months that it is on hold?





Seriously... they halt the lives of many.. and we don't even deserve a person to read an email about our questions beyond the .. yes.. it's been halted... Another case of wonderful customer service I Guess!

[annunaki]

Pentagon Suspends Career Aid for Spouses

Tommy T. Thomas, the deputy under secretary for defense who oversees the program, said in a statement Wednesday, “These applications were overwhelming the system intended to support the program and almost reached the budget threshold.”

While the shutdown is temporary, Mr. Thomas said, there is no word on when the program might resume or whether the benefit would face cuts.

[VetteChic]

Hmmm... the cut and paste answer was sent within 5 hours.

My request for a real person to read and respond to my question after the copy and paste response has still not been answered after 4 days.

[annunaki]

DOD offical: MyCAA could resume "very soon"

Posted March 10th, 2010 by Jeff Schogol

"The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program could start up again soon, a senior defense official said..."