Military Spouses Residency Relief Act

So…for those (like me) who have yet to file their taxes. Information about the Military Spouse Residency Relief may be of interest.

https://www.militaryonesource.com/Portals/0/Content/Web%20Pages/DFAS0222

MyCAA Reinstated

Sorry everyone! I meant to post this news as soon as I heard, but I’m afraid I’m a bit behind the curve.

MyCAA has been reinstated for those who have already been approved. I am sure many of those who were counting on this funding to complete programs are breathing a HUGE sigh of relief! I wish I could wave a magic wand and say the program is up and running at full capacity, but that is not the case. They are still not taking new applications, but let’s cross our fingers and hope that it comes back!

Want to become an Accredited Financial Counselor…for FREE?!

The Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE) in association with the National Military Family Association and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation has announced the FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Accredited Financial Counselor Fellowship!  They are awarding 200 military spouses with the education necessary to become an Accredited Financial Counselor and enter the financial counseling career field!  Applications are being accepted now until 15 April 2010, so act fast. 

If you are selected, you will have the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills to assist individuals and families in the complex process of financial decision-making, including the ability to:

• Educate clients in sound financial principles.
• Assist clients in the process of overcoming their financial indebtedness.
• Help clients identify and modify ineffective money management behaviors.
• Guide clients in developing successful strategies for achieving their financial goals.
• Support clients as they work through their financial challenges and opportunities.
• Help clients develop new perspectives on the dynamics of money in relation to family, friends, and individual self-esteem.

As an Accredited Financial Counselor you will have opportunities for employment in:

• Bankruptcy courts
• Banks and savings and loan associations
• College financial aid offices
• Community programs
• Consumer credit counseling services
• Consumer finance companies
• Cooperative Extension services
• Corporate and government employee assistance programs
• Corporate credit departments
• Credit bureaus
• Credit unions
• Divorce mediation firms
• Employee benefits counseling firms
• Family service agencies
• Hospitals
• Housing and urban development offices
• Insurance companies
• Loan associations
• Mental health associations
• Ministerial organizations
• Mortgage lenders
• Mutual fund companies
• Social welfare agencies
• Uniformed Services family/community service agencies 

According to a March 2010 article in Military Spouse Magazine, entitled “Keeping the Career on Track” by Christie Lawler, financial counseling can become a highly portable career for military spouses.  Sound too good to be true?  Well, be sure to check it out at the weblink below:

http://www.militaryfamily.org/get-info/support-family/spouse-employment/financial-counselor-fellowships.html

 Unfortunately, there are some military spouses who are not eligible:

• Current Civil Service employees
• Current employees of contractors serving the United States government
• Active duty or Reserve Component members of the Armed Forces
• Holders of active securities licenses
• Current National Military Family Association Staff, Volunteers, and Representatives

I was really looking forward to this opportunity and researched this career field with gusto!  Unfortunately, I am ineligible (two big thumbs down and a frown).  Well, there’s one less applicant which will increase YOUR chances!  Act now and act fast!

Any spouses out there already completed or enrolled in this fellowship?  Share your experience with us, we’d love to hear your story!

What’s happening with MyCAA?

Last week, the Department of Defense abrupty halted all new and pending MyCAA accounts.  See more details in the article below:

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

Military One Source provides links to additional funding resources:

http://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/FindInformation/Category/MilitarySpouseCareerAdvancementAccounts/MilitarySpouseFinancialAidResourceList.aspx

I would like to hear from spouses affected by this sudden change!  How is this affecting those spouses already approved?  Will this affect some of your educational plans?

Military Spouse-friendly Employers

So, I was researching more topics for the MSCC blog and came across a very comprehensive list of military spouse-friendly employers (not sure why ALL employers aren’t military spouse-friendly…we’re an awesome group of people!).   The list includes everything from restaurants, retail, construction/heavy equipment, to healthcare.  Many of the employers on the list can also be found nationwide—which makes job/career portability more attainable.  Be sure to check them out at:

http://www.military.com/spouse/0,,employer_list,00.html

Need money for school?

The military understands the sacrifices and hardships of military spouses and does a great job of providing help.  One such way in which they lend a hand is through scholarships and grants.  Check out these following links (there is one specific to each service) for more information!

Army Emergency Relief     http://www.aerhq.org/education.asp

Air Force Aid Society    http://www.afas.org

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society   http://www.nmcrs.org/

Every little bit helps, so be sure to check them out!

Military Spouse Scholarships

Applications Now Being Accepted for Military Spouse Scholarships.

The application period for the 2010 scholarship season has opened!

The National Military Family Association & Joanne Holbrook

Patton Military Spouse Scholarship Program awards spouses of uniformed

services members up to $1,000 for professional certification, college,

or graduate school. The funds are for tuition, fees, and school room

and board. Applications are due by midnight January 31, 2010. Visit

www.militaryfamily.org/scholarship for more information or to submit

an application.

FYI, I will be posting more scholarship and grant opportunities in the future so be sure to check the Scholarships tab often!

Leadership Training…for free! Act today!

Want to become more involved in the community as a leader?  Women’s Community Leadership Initiative is offering a six-month training program free for those women who qualify!

The Women’s Community Leadership Initiative educates and empowers women of diverse backgrounds to develop a deeper awareness of their potential to make a difference, and become productive
contributors to their community.  Sounds great, right?  So, who is eligible?

This program is for women of modest income who want to know more about their community, become more involved, and learn new leadership skills.  It is offered at no cost to participants, and is funded through grants and individual contributions.  Childcare reimbursement is available and a light supper is served during each session.

How to Apply:
Applications are due by tomorrow, December 3rd!   So hurry hurry!

Check out their website for more information and the applications!

www.leadershippikespeak.org

Post-Thanksgiving Puritan Advice for Surviving Unemployment (according to the Wall Street Journal)

I came across a good article in the November 19, 2009 Wall Street Journal entitled Idle Hands:  Some Puritan Advice for the Unemployed.  Link here: 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704431804574541403268485712.html

Anyone and everyone who has been unemployed for over two months knows that unemployment is rough.  This article points out some Puritan ways of dealing with unemployment and this job market.  Following is some of this Puritan advice:

1)  Get over your reluctance to take a lower paying job, a job that has less status, or is not in your field because you feel like a failure if you do.  Here’s why according to Puritan thought: 

The Puritans, unlike others in the 17th century who held sacred occupations higher than secular ones, felt that every profession was equal.  The farmer with the plow should be respected just as the priest is respected.  Oftentimes we may look over a position because it pays less or has less status because of our ego–in these days and times we may have to just tell ourselves, “Get over it”, (and fast) because a lot of people are realizing that getting paid less is better than getting paid nothing.  Repeat this Puritan mantra, ”I am no less a person if I can’t find a job in my field ESPECIALLY in this job market”.     

2)  Do something!  Do not be idle!  No one can job search all day.  So, what are you doing the hours you aren’t job searching.  Don’t feel like you have to brood.  The Puritans highly discourage this and idleness.  So, this is permission to have fun!  Pursue a hobby, read some books, take a class.  No one said you have to suffer because you’re unemployed!  I’ve been there, so I understand.  I thought I had to suffer because I didn’t have a job.  I felt guilty for going another day without a job, especially when bills were piling up.  Again, these enjoyments don’t have to cost money–go to your local library and get books, cook meals from a gourmet cookbook with budget ingredients.  The key is to not let your stress lead to stagnation.   

This article was a fun Thanksgiving take on how to survive unemployment.  So, remember:

• You are not a failure if you take a lower paying/lower status job–it’s all the same to the Puritans!
• Also, don’t wallow in your unemployment.  Set aside a time to job search efficiently, then do what you love!  You can’t be effective in your job search if you’re constantly stressed and unhappy. 

Let me know how being a Puritan works for your job search!

Military Spouse Preference for Federal Jobs

Have you heard?  Getting a government job may become easier for military spouses!  Executive Order 13473, which went into effect September 11, 2009 opens the door to more federal jobs for qualified military spouses.  These jobs can be accessed through www.usajobs.com.  You are required to complete and post a very detailed resume in order to be considered, but it could well be worth the effort.  Check out this article for more details:

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123177091

Although this is an article from the official web site of the Air Force, the details apply to all branches of the military.