How Coast Guard COOL Works & How to Start (Quick Guide)

Pilots and officers in the United States Coast Guard have exciting opportunities for professional and personal growth, and now — thanks to Coast Guard COOL — they have one more.

Coast Guard COOL, which is short for Credentialing Opportunities On-Line, helps enlisted personnel in the Coast Guard find information about resources, certifications and licenses that they can use to further both their military and future civilian careers. The online platform streamlines the process of requesting the $4,500 annual Credentialing Assistance funding available to every active duty Coast Guard member, exploring military occupations and finding training opportunities to support your goals.

Service members, both pilots and officers, must have at least six months remaining in their service obligation to be eligible for government grants for certifications and other training programs. They must comply with the weight standards and be marked “ready” for advancement on their most recent Enlisted Employee Review. 

Once your status is reviewed by the commanding officer and approved by the Education Service Officer, your funding request can be forwarded to the Education and Training Quota Management Command for final approval.

MedCerts, an online academic institution, has been recently approved as a vendor for the Coast Guard Credentialing Assistance program. That means it’s possible to get the training and certifications you need remotely through the support and resources provided by the U.S. Department of Defense.

But how does Coast Guard COOL work? Here're some details all service members would like to know.

Coast Guard COOL: Steps for Success

Once eligibility has been determined with the commanding officer, you need to follow these steps to get started with the exciting learning opportunity.

Step 1: Determine Professional Interest

What type of credentialing interests you? The most popular credentialing and licensure programs are in growing industries such as medical and information technology. While these academic pursuits can help in a military career, the work will also support the transition to civilian life. After all, medical and IT are some of the most needed careers in almost every part of the nation.

Step 2: Research Coast Guard COOL-approved schools

Once the path of study is clear, the next step is to research schools that have experience working with the government funding stream and have a history of success with their students. MedCerts has a long history of working with students from the U.S. Armed Forces, including Army soldiers. We understand the unique situations and challenges servicemen and women face and are ready to help.

Step 3: Speak with an Education Consultant

Before moving forward, schedule a time to talk with a trained education consultant about your goals. These experienced academic professionals can help maximize the funding provided by the government and create a learning path specific to you.

Make a Decision That’s Best for You

Once you’ve gathered your research and learned about this exciting Coast Guard COOL opportunity for learning, it’s time to move forward. MedCerts has helped more than 20,000 military students earn the qualifications they seek through fully remote, engaging and flexible learning tools. We are ready to help servicemen and women grow professionally both in the military and, when the time is right, in civilian life, too.

*MedCerts is an approved vendor of the Coast Guard Credentialing Opportunities Online Program, but the Coast Guard, Department of Defense, and Education Training and Quota Management Command are not affiliated with MedCerts and do not endorse our services.