Military Spouses Can Apply for New Scholarship, Despite the Partial Reinstatement of MyCAA

March 12, 2010 - PRLog -- BUFFALO, NY – Bryant & Stratton College Online announced today that it will continue to offer 100 scholarships to military spouses, through its Salute to Spouses program, despite the recent change by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to partially reinstate the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program (MyCAA). The first 100 qualified applicants will receive a Salute to Spouses scholarship, which will provide up to $6,000 toward an online degree program at Bryant & Stratton College, a pioneer in career education since 1854 and the premier provider of online associate’s degrees.        

On March 11, 2010, DoD announced that it will resume operations of the MyCAA program for military spouses who currently have existing MyCAA accounts.  The department will pay up to $6,000 in tuition assistance for spouses currently enrolled.  However, DoD is continuing its review of the MyCAA program and no new accounts will be created until that review is complete.  In February, the popular program was suspended after DoD received an unexpected and overwhelming number of enrollments.

“While it is great news that existing accounts will be honored, military spouses not currently enrolled in MyCAA must either put their education on hold, or find other ways of financing it until DoD begins accepting new enrollments,” said Scott Traylor, Bryant & Stratton’s Director of Admissions for Online Education. “Bryant & Stratton College Online remains committed to the Salute to Spouses scholarship program and is proud to provide military spouses access to career education wherever their family is stationed.”  

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 60 percent of the top-twenty fastest growing occupations require at least an associate’s degree.  Portable high-growth, high-demand occupations, such as those in healthcare, are ideal for military spouses because they frequently relocate.  The Salute to Spouses scholarship program is an opportunity for military spouses affected by the suspension of new MyCAA accounts to continue their education while the Department of Defense completes its review.  If the MyCAA program begins accepting new enrollments, the combination of the Salute to Spouses scholarship and MyCAA cannot exceed the cost of tuition.  

Bryant & Stratton College Online created the Salute to Spouses scholarship program for military spouses in response to the suspension of the MyCAA program.  Salute to Spouses was launched on Monday, March 8 and will award 100 scholarships up to $600 (for part-time students) or $1,200 (for full-time students) per semester for programs offered by Bryant & Stratton College Online, with a maximum $6,000 scholarship award per recipient.  To qualify, applicants must:

•   Be a military spouse with military ID card;
•   Have graduated high school prior to the current academic year;
•   Submit a written essay;
•   Follow all scholarship policies as outlined in the Bryant & Stratton College catalog, such as maintaining a 3.0 GPA with no breaks in enrollment.

More information about the Salute to Spouses scholarship program for military spouses offered by Bryant & Stratton College Online can be found at www.SalutetoSpouses.com.  

Bryant & Stratton College Online is regionally accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and offers three online bachelor’s degree programs, ten online associate’s degree programs and nine online certificate programs in a variety of fields including business, criminal justice, financial services, healthcare, human resources and information technology.  Information about the programs offered by Bryant & Stratton College Online is available at http://online.bryantstratton.edu.  

About Bryant & Stratton College Online
Bryant & Stratton College is one of the nation’s pioneers in career education and is the premier provider of online associate’s degrees.  Bryant & Stratton offers accredited education that upgrades student capabilities and maximizes their marketability.  For over 150 years, Bryant & Stratton College has helped students gain the career skills they need to succeed in the workplace.  Currently, Bryant & Stratton College Online offers three online bachelor’s degree programs, ten online associate’s degree programs and nine online certificate programs in a variety of fields including business, criminal justice, financial services, healthcare, human resources and information technology.  Bryant & Stratton College Online is regionally accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.  Bryant & Stratton College also offers flexible scheduling at its 16 campuses located in four states: New York, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin.  For more information about Bryant & Stratton College and its online degrees, visit http://online.bryantstratton.edu.      

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