Army Credentialing Assistance (CA) Program

Take advantage of a great opportunity to pay for credentials that can enhance your skills and qualifications both during and after military service! The Army Credentialing Assistance (CA) Program can pay for courses and exams that lead to industry-recognized civilian credentials in an occupational area of your choice. You may use this program to enhance your skills, either in your current MOS, or in an occupation you would like to pursue when you leave military service. You can request CA funding for any credential listed on Army COOL. CA is voluntary and conducted off-duty for all Soldiers, (Active Duty, ARNG, USAR) of all ranks (Enlisted, NCO, Officer, Warrant Officer).

The Army Credentialing Assistance program will provide up to $4,000 per Army fiscal year to assist a soldier in attaining industry recognized credentials. The CA program can fund training, books, mandatory fees, exams, and recertifications.

Overview of CA

• Soldiers can request multiple credentials simultaneously – not to exceed FY limit.
• Credentials do NOT have to align with a Soldier’s MOS/AOC/ASI.
• CA is subject to the same funding ceiling as TA.  A Soldier may use both TA and CA; however, the combined use by any Soldier will not exceed the fiscal year TA limit ($4000).
• Soldiers must submit CA requests at least 45 days from the start date and no more than 90 days from the submission date.
• End date on CA request must be at least 31 days from their ETS.
• Course / exam will be paid prior to the start date by the CA Billing Office (CABO).
• Soldiers are notified by the Army Credentialing Assistance Program Office (ACAPO) letting them know if their case was moved to finance or rejected (via ArmyIgnitED messaging). Status requests can be submitted in ArmyIgnitED to ACAPO by the Soldier if it is 3 days prior to the start date (using the Credentialing Assistance (CA) Office category). 
• If the Soldier was notified that their CA Request was moved to finance for payment, and the Soldier is within 3 days of the selected start date, submit a ArmyIgnitED message (using the “Credentialing Assistance (CA) FINANCE” category) requesting the status from the CABO.  Once the CABO funds a request, Soldiers will receive an ArmyIgnitED message letting them know they can begin.
• Books and/or materials must be submitted with an existing CA request in progress or pending payment. They must be submitted separately. (If vendor provides these items, and the Soldier does not receive these items- the Soldier must contact the vendor to receive these items).
• Soldiers will be subject to reimbursing the Army for CA if they fail or withdraw from a course of instruction or fail an exam (or fail to sit for the course/exam in the timeframe requested), and do not have an approved military withdrawal.
• Soldiers who pay out of pocket for anything will NOT be reimbursed. Soldiers who start courses prior to notification from the CABO will not be reimbursed.
• CA is not authorized for credentials associated with doctor's degrees as defined by the U.S. Department of Education.
• CA is available to Commissioned Officers and Warrant Officers.  Officers and Warrant Officers may use CA and will not incur a service obligation.
• CA is only available through ArmyIgnitED https://www.armyignited.army.mil/  ArmyIgnitED is the online portal whereby a soldier requests their credentialing assistance benefit.
• All CA Requests (CAR) must be submitted directly through ArmyIgnitED. The CA Request does not get submitted through the Education Center or Office. Soldiers must submit CA Requests 45 days from the start date of the course or exam.  NOTE!! END DATE MUST BE AT LEAST 31 DAYS FROM THE ETS DATE. 
• It may take up to a few days prior to the start date of the course to receive approval notifications from ACAPO/CABO.
  
  

Credentialing Assistance COURSE Catalog

Approved JCC credentialing courses include programs in Healthcare: Pharmacy Technician and Phlebotomy Technician.

Soldiers with questions about the CA program and enrollment can call 315-786-2233 or email ced@sunyjefferson.edu. We are here to help you further your career. We will help guide you through the entire process – from pre-enrollment to course completion.

How to apply for Credentialing Assistance

Learn about how to apply for CA on the Process Overview page.  
For detailed instructions on completing the CA application refer to the Credentialing Steps – 4 Step Process page.

How to obtain custom quote from Jefferson Community College for your CA Request

• Within the Credentialing 4 Step Process, at Step 2 you will need to complete a CA Request and upload a custom quote.
• Step 2: Complete A CA Request, has 8 Basic Steps. At Basic Step 4 you need the custom quote.  
• Complete the JCC Workforce Solutions online training registration https://apply.sunyjefferson.edu/register/
• JCC Workforce Solutions will verify eligibility, register you, and then create and provide you with the required custom quote.
• Contact Workforce Solutions 315-786-2233 for application and registration assistance.