Education Funds Set for Military Spouses

The new Military Spouse Career Advancement Initiative has been established to help military spouses get the education and other credentials needed to pursue portable careers in high-demand, high-growth occupations. The $35 million demonstration program, co-sponsored by the Defense and Labor departments, sets up accounts for eligible spouses to cover expenses directly related to post-secondary education and training. Beginning in January, the program will launch at 18 military installations in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, North Carolina and Washington. Costs covered include tuition, fees, books, equipment, and credentialing and licensing fees required for careers in education, health care, information technology, construction trades, financial services and other "high-growth, portable" fields. Spouses of active-duty service members grades E1 through E5 and O1 to O3 will be eligible to participate. They must have a high school or general education diploma.