📣  Updates to Credentialing Assistance (CA) 

Description: Pursuant to ALARACT 102/2025, Changes to Voluntary Education Policy, please note the following updates to the Department of Army's Credentialing Assistance Program:

1) CA is capped at $2,000 and 1 credential per fiscal year;

2) Soldiers who receive CA funding for training must take and pass the examination associated with the training or face recoupment charges;

3) CA is capped at 3 credentials per 10 years of service. Will be retroactive to Soldier's Basic Active Service date.  Previously funded will be included in the cap. 

4) Soldiers must complete the Army IgnitED training and Milgears Decision Support Tool (upload results into Army IgnitED) prior to requesting CA for the first time. 

For more information visit the link below:

https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Benefit-Library/Federal-Benefits/Army-Credentialing-Opportunities-On-Line-(COOL)?serv=123
 

📣  Impact to Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) & Credentialing Assistance (CA) During a Government Shutdown 

Description:  

-Federal Tuition Assistance:  Previously submitted and approved FY26 TARs for Soldiers not on Title 10 active-duty orders will be cancelled daily throughout the government shutdown until either a Budget or a Continuing Resolution is approved by Congress and signed by the President.  The Army is only cancelling requests with start dates that fall within the actual shutdown dates.  FTA requests with start dates after the shutdown should not be impacted. In addition, Soldiers will not be able to submit new Education Goals or TARs during this time.   Please monitor your Army IgnitED accounts for updates. 

-Credentialing Assistance:  Pending CARs may be cancelled during the government shutdown until either a Budget or a Continuing Resolution is approved by Congress and signed by the President.  The Army is only cancelling requests with start dates that fall within the actual shutdown dates.  CA requests with start dates after the shutdown should not be impacted.   Please monitor your Army IgnitED accounts for updates.  Soldiers will not be able to submit new CA Goals or CARs during this time.

📣  Get College Credit for your Military Training or Occupation (MOS)

Description:  A Military Evaluation can provide college credit for military training and/or experience.  A review translates training, MOS and experience into academic credit recommendations.  These evaluations could save you time and money by applying credit to your degrees and reducing your tuition cost. There are two types of military reviews:  

1) Military Course Review

2) Military Occupation Review

For more information visit the link below:

https://www.acenet.edu/Programs-Services/Pages/Credit-Transcripts/Military-Evaluations.aspx

📣 Attention:  New Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) Users! 

Description: New Requirements

1) Mandatory Training: First-time FTA/CA users must complete the Army IgnitED 101 Training before requesting funding.  Soldiers who have previously used ArmyIgnitED to receive FTA are exempt from this requirement.  

2) Decision Tool: Users must utilize the Career Path Decide decision support tool prior to submitting a request. 

Submission Timeline: TA requests must be submitted no later than 7 days before the course start date. 

 Watch the training on Army share point (Needs CAC) :  

ArmyIgnitED 101 Training Link

📣 New Resource for College Planning,  “My Texas Future”

Description:  The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has launched a new tool to help Texans with their college planning.  Information is available on the Financial Aid process, college support programs, services and more.

For more information, visit:

https://www.mytexasfuture.org/

📣 Financial Aid Deadlines

 Applications for the upcoming school year open 1 October every year.  Financial Aid, determined by your college campus, is awarded on first-come, first-served basis. 

Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA), State financial aid priority deadline:  January 15. For more information, visit:

https://www.highered.texas.gov/students-families/tasfa/

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), Federal financial aid deadline:   June 30

https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

Don’t delay, visit your campus Financial Aid Office today! 

📣 2026–27 FAFSA^® Form Now Available!

Date/Time: Spring 26 

Description: Use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) form to apply for financial aid for college, career school, or graduate school.

For more information, visit: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa