Advance Your Career with the Air Force Credentialing Assistance Program
Earn in-demand IT certifications and secure your future through the Air Force COOL Assistance Program, designed for Air Force personnel ready to advance.
What is AF COOL?
Air Force COOL is a pathway for enlisted DAF members to earn industry recognized professional certifications, licenses to enhance their active-duty work, and to prepare them as they transition to the civilian job market.
- Provides background information about civilian certifi¬cations, licensure, examinations, and apprenticeships to include credential requirements and preparation resources.
- Provides information on resources available to Soldiers to facilitate credentialing.
- Identifies gaps between Air Force training and experience and civilian credentialing requirements and ways to bridge those gaps.
Overview
The Air Force Voluntary Credentialing Program enables eligible and authorized
Air Force and Space Force Professionals to obtain and maintain professional certifications
that will enhance their career opportunities while serving in the military as well as increasing
their competitiveness in advancing their post-military civilian careers. Participation in a
voluntary credentialing program improves force readiness and provides members with
expanded professional skills and competencies.
Participation in the voluntary credentialing program is self-initiated. Participation is reviewed
and authorized by an approval authority designated by the member’s chain of command (i.e.,
Service-level reviewing official).
What is the purpose of the Air Force Credentialing Assistance / AF COOL program?
Credentialing has two purposes. First, it continues to professionalize the enlisted force by providing up-to-date industry-recognized credentials in a member’s AF job. Second, it provides a way for members to prepare for civilian life by ensuring that they are ready for work in the civilian sector. There are many aspects to credentialing including certifications and licenses. In addition, there a variety of agencies that provide credentialing. Some are at the National level while others are state or industry driven. Credentialing is important because:
- Federal, state, or local law may require specific credentials to legally perform some jobs.
- Employers may choose to hire only employees who have certain credentials, or to pay those employees more.
- Credentials may improve an employee’s prospects for promotion.
How can I request funding for a credential?
Step 1: Explore AF COOL Credentials
- Log in to your AFVEC account, click on Education Programs and then select AF COOL.
- Navigate to the AF COOL homepage and explore the credentials you may be qualified for.
- Select the credential you wish to pursue through the AF COOL program. (NOTE: You can sort the credentials via funding method, i.e., AF COOL, GI Bill, etc.).
Step 2: Create Education Goal
Once you found the Credentials you are interested in, click Create Education Goal. You are required to upload all supporting documentation that is listed on your eligibility tab within your Credential. Failure to upload required supporting documentation will delay or disapprove your tuition assistance requests.
Step 3: Start a Funding Request
In your AFVEC account, locate your AF COOL goal and click “Apply for Funding”. Follow the prompts to complete the funding request application. You will need the following information.
In your AFVEC account, locate your AF COOL goal and click “Apply for Funding”. Follow the prompts to complete the funding request application. You will need the following information.
- Exam Center(provided by the credentialing agency’s website) TIP: enter the first word of the exam center and click “Search” – one or more options may appear (i.e., “Pearson” for Pearson VUE)
- Cost for exam including admin fees (contact the credentialing agency and request an invoice to assist you with your funding request, if you haven’t already done so)
Step 4: AF COOL Approval Process
Once the supervisor approves your funding request, it is then electronically routed to the AF COOL office which will make the payment on your behalf. The CPO / Purchase Agent will contact you through phone or email should they require any changes to be made prior to payment. (NOTE: Funding requests are processed on a First- In, First-Out basis. There are exceptions to this policy for ANG and AFRES members; you must contact the AF COOL CPO to inquire about these exceptions). Your patience with this process is appreciated.
Step 5: Study and Take Exam
After you take your exam, please provide the AF COOL office with a copy of your grade and / or your Certificate of Completion. Failure to report grade may require reimbursement of gov’t cost. You can upload your grades to your supporting documentation on your AF COOL goal and email AF COOL office at CCAF.AFCOOL.Reimb@us.af.mil
How do I sign up for training after I get the credentials at the Air Force Credentialing Assistance?
Please call 858-208-4141 or email us: sales@ccslearningacademy.com
Basic DAF Members Eligibility Criteria
The AF COOL is a Total Force Enlisted program. It includes all enlisted AFSCs for RegAF, AFRES, ANG, and USSF. Funding will be provided for RegAF, USSF, AFRES, and ANG members on Title 10 or Title 32 (502F) active duty orders. Funding will not exceed a maximum of $4,500 per lifetime per Air and Space professional.
Enlisted RegAF, USSF, AFRES, and ANG component members participating in the Air Force COOL program must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Possess a 5-skill level in their Primary Air Force Specialty Code
- Do not have an UIF, are not on a Control Roster, and are current on their most recent Fitness test at the time of application
- Have a profile in AFVEC with an approved credentialing goal
- Must obtain supervisor approval and complete the entire credential while on active duty status
How AF COOL Works?
AF COOL contains a variety of information about credentialing and licensing. AF COOL can be used to:
- Get background information about civilian licensure and certification in general and specific information on individual credentials including eligibility requirements and resources to prepare for an exam.
- Identify licenses and certifications relevant to Air Force Specialties
- Learn how to fill gaps between Air Force training and experience and civilian credentialing requirements.
Air Force COOL Benefits
Air Force Credentialing Assistance Program Funding provides qualifying soldiers to explore credentials recognized by the civilian community that can help the soldiers current performance in their Air Force job as well help prepare for civilian employment
Air Force Credentialing Assistance Program Funding is a tuition program that pays up to $4500.00 for training.
Use your AF Credentialing Assistance Program Funding to purchase expert Cybersecurity, IT and Professional Development training from CCS Learning Academy today!
CCS Learning Academy will accept all AF Credentialing Assistance Program Funding registrations.
Who decides on credentialing requirements?
Credentialing boards decide all the requirements for any licenses or certifications, which is usually a mix of a candidate’s education, training, work experience, exams, or other job-related requirements.
Who can participate in AF COOL
The program is available to active duty Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air Force National Guard, and US Space Force personnel.
- I am interested in pursuing other credentials not listed on the AF COOL website. Can I pursue those credentials?
Members may pursue credentials that are not identified as being AF COOL-funded at their own expense through the use of the Montgomery G.I. Bill, Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, or other programs. - Am I eligible for another credential if I fail an exam for the AFSC-related credential?
Member is still eligible for funding of additional credentials up to the $4,500 cap once the grade has been submitted for the previous exam. In addition, the member is still eligible for a leadership credential (E-7 through E-9), Degree-related, or Non AFSC-related credential. - Are AF Reservists authorized to use the AF COOL program?
Reservists and Guardsmen on Title 10 or Title 32 (502f) orders will be authorized to use AF COOL funding. All requirements for the credential goal must be completed while in activated status. - Are there any prerequisites to obtaining funding for a credential?
Members must be in good standing at the time of applying for funding, have their 5-skill level, and may not be affected by items such as UIF, Control Roster, or Referral EPR (most recent). - Can I receive college credit after being awarded my credential?
Answer: Not all credentials are awarded CCAF credit. CCAF awards collegiate credit for specific credentials that are applicable to the technical requirements and discipline of specific CCAF AAS degree programs. Policies for awarding credit are established by CCAF. Awarding CCAF credit is based on degree relevancy, college-level academic standards, career field needs, and Career Field Manager recommendations. Upon issuance of a CCAF degree-applicable credential, education center counselors will submit a CCAF Student Action Request to have the credentialing credit applied to the member’s CCAF student record. To view all credentials awarded CCAF credit, visit: https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Barnes/CCAF/Display/Article/803252/credentialing-programs-flight/ - Do I have to submit my grade after testing?
Yes. The grade or certificate of completion can be sent via AFVEC Messages as an attachment. Grades not provided within 60 days of the exam end date will prevent members from submitting additional funding requests. - Do the AF COOL and Military Tuition program have the same policies such as a minimum GPA, etc.?
No. The rules for the Military Tuition Assistance program are different. - I am trying to enroll in the AF COOL program but the website does not show any credential associated to my AFSC. Am I still eligible for a credential?
Member has to be logged in to the AF COOL website with name showing on the top right-hand corner of the page. The AF COOL website is being updated continuously and not all AFSC data is complete.? Therefore, there might be some AFSCs that don’t have any credentials identified.? For AFSCs that do not have any credentials associated, members will be eligible for a Leadership credential regardless of their rank. - I have a mandatory requirement to obtain a credential in my AFSC. Will AF COOL pay for this credential?
A credential required to gain or hold an AFSC, job position, or specialty-coded billet will not be funded by the AF COOL program. Credentials mandated by the Department of the Air Force must be funded through other sources. - I have a pending reimbursement for Military Tuition Assistance funding. Can I still apply for funding under the AF COOL program?
Military Tuition Assistance issues such as pending reimbursements will not prohibit member from applying for AF COOL funding.
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