Military Spouses Affected by MyCAA Suspension Can Apply for New Scholarship

March 8, 2010 - PRLog -- BUFFALO, NY  – Bryant & Stratton College, a pioneer in career education since 1854 and the premier provider of online associate’s degrees, announced today the launch of the Salute to Spouses scholarship program for military spouses.  The first 100 qualified applicants will receive a Salute to Spouses scholarship, which will provide up to $6,000 to attend Bryant & Stratton College Online.      

In February, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) suspended the popular Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program (MyCAA), which offered military spouses up to $6,000 for college or career training.  MyCAA was suspended after the program received an unexpected and overwhelming number of enrollments.  While DoD has announced that it will honor the financial assistance approved for MyCAA participants already enrolled, no additional benefits will be approved or paid until a review of the program has been completed.  

“The abrupt suspension of the MyCAA program is creating a tremendous void for military spouses and we want to do what we can to help those who have given so much in support of our military,” said Scott Traylor, Bryant & Stratton’s Director of Admissions for Online Education. “Career education is especially important for military spouses, since the most portable, high-growth careers often require more than a high-school diploma.  Life in the military means frequent relocation, making it difficult for spouses without advanced education to find work or build a career.”

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 60 percent of the top-twenty fastest growing occupations require at least an associate’s degree.  High-growth, high-demand occupations, such as those in healthcare, are ideal for military spouses who need skills that will translate regardless of their location.  The Salute to Spouses scholarship program is an opportunity for military spouses affected by the suspension of the MyCAA program to continue their education while the Department of Defense completes its review.  If the MyCAA program is reinstated, the combination of the Salute to Spouses scholarship and MyCAA cannot exceed the cost of tuition.  

The Salute to Spouses scholarship program for military spouses 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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