Army Credentialing Assistance (CA)
MedCerts is an approved provider of the Army Credentialing Assistance Program. Available to active-duty Army, Army Reserve, and National Guard, this funding is designed to augment your skills, prepare for advancements, as well as help transition into civilian careers.
Talk to a MedCerts Army CA Education Consultant (and military veteran) about your options
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Credentialing Assistance.
If you are Active Duty Army, Army Reserve or National Guard personnel, you may be eligible for up to $2,000 in financial assistance per fiscal year from the Army Credentialing Assistance Program. Part of the Army Credentialing Assistance Program (CA) service, is designed to provide assistance in earning certifications and licenses to help augment your skills in the Army, prepare for advancement opportunities, as well as help transition into civilian careers. MedCerts offers approved online programs in healthcare, IT and more.
Army CA
- Amount: Up to $4500 available for combined use of Education Benefits through Tuition Assistance (TA) and CA funds. The CA funds are capped at $2000 per fiscal year. The amount renews each fiscal year (FY) and you can use TA and CA individually or simultaneously as long as you don’t exceed the $2,000 budget for CA.
- What Schools Qualify: Civilian credentials and licenses through approved credentialing agencies.
- What Can Funds be used for?: Payment of credentialing expenses for classroom, hands-on, online/blended training, study guides, materials, textbooks, fees, exams and/or recertification of credentials. Service members are limited to earning (1) credential per fiscal year.
- Who Funds it?: The Department of Army through the Department of Defense
Army CA Program Eligibility
Regular Army
Active Guard/Reserve (AGR) pursuant to Title 10 and Title 32
U.S. Army Reserve (USAR)
Army National Guard (ARNG) in an active drilling status with a designation as satisfactory
Ranks include enlisted, warrant officers, and officers
When am I not eligible?
Veterans
Non-Army branches
Army families
If you’ve exceeded (3) credentials earned within 10 years of service
Army Credentialing Assistance Program Contact Info
For more information regarding the CA program, visit the Army Credentialing Assistance site here, or reach out to your on-base education center.
To talk to a MedCerts Military Education Consultant, feel free to fill out the Army Credentialing Application form, chat online, or call: 1.800.734.1175
Applying for Army CA
How to apply for Credentialing Assistance:
- Learn about CA, browse available credentials through the Army Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) site.
- Pick a credential and review prerequisites
- Fill out Credentialing Request through ArmyIgnitED
- After approval by ACCESS/ArmyU, begin your training program or schedule your exam.
- For step-by-step visual instructions, download the Soldier CA Process Guide which provides step by step guidance on how to complete the request on the Army CA site here.
MedCerts + Army CA
We’ve been an approved vendor for credentialing assistance since the program launched in June 2019. We’ve received an 8.5 out of 10 average rating from Military CA students. Additionally, MedCerts has repeatedly been recognized as a Military Friendly® school by Viqtory Media for our work with MyCAA and Military students.
Army CA Approved Vendors.
There are tons of schools and training programs already approved as vendors – including MedCerts. If you choose a vendor not already pre-approved, you can submit a Soldier CA Request to have the institution vetted for approval. When choosing a vendor, consider the format of their program (online vs in person), if their trainings lead to in-demand careers and what type of support they provide students. You can find a full list of Credentialing Assistance approved vendors through the Army CA (Credentialing Assistance Program) site here.
COOL Approved Credentials
Credentials are a quick way to learn a new set of skills and gain recognition through certification. The CA program states that “Soldiers may pursue any credential found in Army Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (Army COOL).” Programs are selected based on their ability to help with growth within your military career or create better opportunities in civilian careers after service.
Student Support.
MedCerts understands that those serving our country often have different priorities than the average student. That’s why our Military Education team is built of people with experience in the armed services, including many veterans. They are experts on the Credentialing Assistance program and can help you create an education path with your priorities in mind. Credentialing Assistance Program resources are available through on-base Education Centers and the Army CA website.
Credentialing Assistance vs Tuition Assistance (TA)
Tuition Assistance and Credentialing Assistance are funded through the same pool of money known as Education Benefits. Service members are offered a total of $4500 each fiscal year to use towards combined Credentialing Assistance and Tuition Assistance, but Credentialing Assistance funds cannot exceed $2000 and are only eligible toward one certification. If you choose to use both TA and CA in a fiscal year, you cannot exceed the $4500 total.
The GI Bill and FAFSA
- GI BILL: Credentialing Assistance is not a part of the GI Bill program and is funded separately. MedCerts is not approved to accept GI Bill funding.
- FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to determine government financial aid opportunities for prospective and current students. MedCerts does not accept FAFSA funding
MedCerts Expert CA Consultants
Ready to get started? Fill out the form below to talk to an Army Credentialing Assistance Expert today. Our advisors will assist you with choosing the right credentials to pursue and guide you through the CA process.
*MedCerts is an approved vendor of the Army Credentialing Assistance Program, but the Army, Department of Defense and Department of the Army are not affiliated with MedCerts and do not endorse our services.
Disclaimer – Program Transfer Policy: Military students using Department of Defense Credentialing Assistance (Army, Air Force & Coast Guard) are not eligible to transfer to another program within the MedCerts Catalog after initial program selection. This policy is in compliance with the Department of Defense’s Credentialing Assistance Withdraw/Cancellation Policy.
