More than 200,000 veterans make the transition to civilian life each year. Finding a good job is a key part of successfully making that transition.

Many civilian jobs have certain professional and technical standards. Obtaining credentials  - certifications and licenses - shows that you meet these standards. For example, a welder can show his welding certifications to an employer to document that he has specific skills and knowledge. In the civilian world, credentials may be required for a job, or can make you much more likely to be hired for a job.

Army Credentialing Assistance Program

The Army has begun a new program to assist Soldiers in pursuing credentials/licensures/certifications called Credentialing Assistance (CA). The Army Credentialing Assistance program provides funding for courses and exams leading to an industry-recognized academic or vocational credential. Soldiers can choose from over 1600 credentials listed in Army COOL. Credentials do not have to be linked to the Soldier's MOS!

It is very similar to the Army Tuition Assistance Program through GoArmyEd. What CA can fund is training that leads to the credential/licensure/certification, books, fees, exams, and even recertification (if applicable). Soldiers have the ability to use both CA and TA combined but have a limit of $4000 per fiscal year. Soldiers can request Credentialing Assistance (CA) for training that leads to a credential, license, or certification through GoArmyEd. CA will pay for training courses that lead to a credential, and also provides funding for books, materials, fees, exams, and recertification. Soldiers have a combined fiscal year limit not to exceed $4000 for use towards TA and CA.

Army Credentialing Assistance Program

Much like Tuition Assistance (TA), Soldiers can request Credentialing Assistance (CA) for training that leads to a credential, license, or certification through GoArmyEd. CA will pay for training courses that lead to a credential, and also provides funding for books, materials, fees, exams, and recertification. Soldiers have a combined fiscal year limit not to exceed $4000 for use towards TA and CA.

More than 1600 credentials, licenses, and certifications are listed in Army COOL (www.cool.army.mil). COOL aligns credentials to Soldiers’ military occupational specialties (MOS), but for CA, Soldiers can select and earn credentials during their off-duty time that do not relate to their MOS.

The Army CA program will become effective Army-wide in FY 20. For more information on the Army CA program, Soldiers can contact their local Education Center or Education Office. To see a listing of all credentials offered go to www.cool.army.mil.

Army Credentialing Assistance Program is ready for Virginia classes. The specific processes to apply for and receive CA funding have been completed for Regular Army Soldiers and Soldiers in the National Guard and Army Reserves.

SU is not approved for Tuition Assistance
Overview/Eligibility- The Tuition Assistance (TA) program provides financial assistance for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of a Soldier's professional and personal self-development goals. TA is available for courses that are offered in the classroom or by distance learning and is part of an approved academic degree or certificate program. The courses must be offered by schools that are registered in GoArmyEd, are accredited by accrediting agencies that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and are signatories to the current Department of Defense Memorandum of Understanding (DOD MOU).

For Academic Programs, Certificate’s, Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree, TA may not be used for a lower or lateral degree program from the one the Soldier currently possesses. In addition to degree programs, TA is available to Soldiers to complete a high school diploma and certificate programs. TA is not authorized for programs of study beyond a master's degree.

All TA for Active Duty, USAR, and ARNG Soldiers must be requested through GoArmyEd. Click here to start.

Tuition Assistance Procedures

Soldiers’ TA enrollment requests must be submitted and approved through www.GoArmyEd.com prior to the course start date; any enrollments requested on or after the class start date will be approved as Soldier funded. TA is requested on a course-by-course basis, and each course must be part of an approved degree program. GoArmyEd will notify the Soldier, whether the TA is approved or not. If the TA request is not approved, GoArmyEd will advise the Soldier of the reason and next steps.

All drops/withdrawals must take place through GoArmyEd. Soldiers who do not successfully complete a class will be required to repay the TA. Soldiers who are unable to successfully complete a class due to military reasons must request a Withdrawal for Military Reasons through GoArmyEd and complete all required steps to ensure that they will not be charged.

If the Soldier wishes to take a class with a school that does not participate in the electronic GoArmyEd class schedule, a TA Request Authorization form must be completed in GoArmyEd. The TA Request Authorization will be routed to an Army Education Counselor to be reviewed and approved. Soldiers should allow extra time for this. If the TA Request Authorization is approved, the Soldier will be notified by email. Soldiers must print the approved TA Request Authorization form in GoArmyEd, provide it to the school and enroll directly with the school. Soldiers must acknowledge and electronically sign the TA Statement of Understanding (TA SOU) each quarter they wish to use TA.

For a Sailor, civilian credentials are important for two reasons:

Career Advancement

The Navy has made them part of its workforce professionalization, so getting certified can help you in your Navy career while you're still in service.

I want to further my career while on Active Duty.

Smoother Transitions

When you transition back to civilian employment, credentials help you translate your military training and experience into something civilian employers can easily recognize. That can help you get hired, get a better job, or be promoted sooner!

I am transitioning soon! What steps should I take?