The Army CA Program provides funding for courses and exams leading to an industry-recognized academic or vocational credential. The CA Program offers certificates in industries such as IT, Logistics, Management, Medical, and Trade Skills.
CA can be used for any credential listed on https://www.cool.army.mil/ and does not have to be related to the Soldier’s MOS
CA will provide Soldiers up to $2,000 each fiscal year to pay for an eligible credential
Soldiers may use both Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) and CA; however, the combined usage shall not exceed $4,500 per FY
CA will pay expenses for classroom, hands-on, online/blended training, and associated materials to include manuals, study guides, textbooks, processing fees, test fees, related fees for continuing education requirements, and recertification of credentials
Eligibility/Requirements
Soldier must be in good standing in the ARNG and have a Common Access Card (CAC)
Soldiers are limited to one credential per fiscal year and a maximum of three credentials within each 10-year block of service
Recertifications do NOT count towards the credential maximum
Exams are now REQUIRED within 180 days after completion of training to avoid recoupment
All components are now limited to $1,000 per FY for Aviation Credentials
Commissioned officers (O1 to O10) are no longer eligible for CA
All applicants, regardless of rank, must receive approval from his or her commander or commander’s designated representative for all FTA/CA requests
Soldiers with two recoupment actions in the same FY will be suspended from requesting CA for 12 calendar months
