Credentialing Assistance

Credentials can help advance your career goals by allowing you to choose a certification in an area that expands on your existing experience or an area of interest to help further new career opportunities. Credentialing Assistance (CA) pays tuition, fees, books, and exam costs for any credential listed on the Army COOL website. Soldiers may use up to $2,000 per fiscal year (max TA and CA). Credentialing Assistance is available on ArmyIgnitED. We encourage you to register your account today and find a credential that can help advance your career goals.

Browse the 1600+ credentialing options available to Army National Guard soldiers by visiting Army COOL – Credentialing Opportunities On-Line. There are so many exciting options to choose from, including private pilot licenses, personal trainer certificates, commercial drivers licenses, Lean Six Sigma, welding, airport fire and rescue technician, crane operator, radiology specialist and so much more. Once you have selected a credential, log on to ArmyIgnitED to submit your credentialing assistance request.

Army COOL

ArmyIgnitED

Transfer of Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits

What is it?

A Transfer of Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits is an incentive for continued service offered to service members who qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

How do I qualify?

• Be serving currently in the Uniformed Services, with at least six years completed.
• Qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill at any payment tier.
• Not be flagged for adverse action, ACFT/ABCP failure, or as an Unsatisfactory Participant.
• Agree to a four-year service obligation from the date of your transfer request.

Note: If you voluntarily separate from the Army National Guard prior to completing your obligation end date, your Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) will be terminated, and any funds paid to your dependents may be recouped.

What do I get?

• Dependents receive the same payment tier as the Soldier.
• Spouses may use transferred benefits immediately.
• Children cannot use the benefit until the transferring Soldier has completed 10 years in the Armed Forces.
• Children can begin using the benefit on their 18th birthday or upon high school graduation, whichever comes first.
• Eligibility ends on the child’s 26th birthday unless an earlier date is specified.
• Natural, stepchildren, adopted children, wards, and foster children who have lived with the service member for 12 months are eligible.
• You can modify and/or revoke months for any dependents you originally transferred benefits to, even after you separate from service.
• You must be serving currently to add a new dependent.

How to transfer

• Go to MilConnect.
• Click the Transfer My Education Benefits tab.
• Log in and complete your transfer election.

MilConnect

Types of Aid

Government Financial Aid

• Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) – Contact the ROTC point of contact for your school or the Officer Strength Manager in your state.
• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) – Apply through the VA education site.
• Federal Student Aid – Complete the FAFSA.

VA Education Benefits
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Grants

• Federal Pell Grants
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
• Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants
• Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants

Loans

• Federal student loans and federal parent loans are funded by the federal government.
• Private student loans are nonfederal loans made by a lender such as a bank, credit union, state agency, or school.

Work Study

• Available to students with financial need pursuing undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees.
• Available to full-time or part-time students.
• Administered by schools participating in the Federal Work-Study Program.

Child and Spouse Benefits

Post-9/11 GI Bill

Actively participating service members with qualifying active duty, at least six years of service, and at least four years of service remaining may qualify to transfer some or all of their education benefits to eligible dependents.

Learn more at MilConnect

State Licensure Reimbursement

Spouses of Army National Guard Soldiers who were reassigned from one state to another on or after December 12, 2017, and whose dependent movement was authorized, may qualify for up to $500 reimbursement in qualified relicensing costs with each reassignment. Applies only to Title 10/Title 32, Active Guard Reserve (AGR)/Active Duty.

Learn more at Military OneSource

Military Spouse Scholarships

• Fisher House Foundation
• National Military Family Association (NMFA)

My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA)

The MyCAA Scholarship program helps military spouses pursue licenses, credentials, or associate degrees with a specific concentration or major that leads to portable career skills. The program provides up to $2,000 per year, with a lifetime cap of $4,000.

MyCAA Scholarship Program

Free CLEP Exams

Spouses of Title 10 Soldiers may also be eligible for free CLEP exams through MyCAA and DANTES. Soldiers must be on Title 10 active duty or AGR in the grades of E1-E5, W1-W2, or O1-O2.

Learn more about CLEP under DANTES

Tutor.com

Dependent children and spouses of military members are eligible to use Tutor.com. The program provides free online tutoring and homework help for all grade levels and subjects, including college and professional subjects, and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.