The Tuition Assistance (TA) Program provides financial assistance for voluntary off-duty civilian education programs in support of a Soldier's professional and personal self-development goals. TA is a Public Law that is implemented by Department of Defense (DoD) Directive and DoD Instruction for eligible Soldiers (officers, warrant officers, enlisted) on active duty, Army National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers on active duty (pursuant to U.S. Code Title 10 or Title 32), and TPU Soldiers are authorized to participate in the TA program.

On November 14, 2025, the Army released ALARACT 102/2025 (Changes to Voluntary Education Policy) to announce the following policy updates to the TA Program:

• Annual cap increased from $4,000 to $4,500
• Semester hours increased from 16 to 18
• Require Soldiers who are first time users of TA to take ArmyIgnitED training prior to requesting TA
• Require Soldiers to use a decision support tool prior to requesting TA.

Effective March 19, 2026, the following Credentialing Assistance (CA) updated policy changes are implemented in accordance with AR 621-5, Army Continuing Education System:

• Soldiers, regardless of rank, must receive supervisor or commander representative approval of all TA and CA requests as a part of the ArmyIgnitED approval process
• Soldiers who have incurred two recoupment actions between TA and CA in the same FY will be suspended from requesting TA and CA for 12 months from the date the second unsuccessful grade is entered or the end date of course or exam, whichever occurs first. Soldiers may appeal the 12-month suspension through ArmyIgnitED. The 12-month suspension is not retroactive and will be implemented for all TA and CA approved funding requests with start dates on or after March 19, 2026
• Commissioned Officers (O1 to O10) are ineligible for CA. Commissioned Officers who have submitted a credential education goal that has not been completed prior to March 19, 2026, will be allowed to request funding to complete and earn the credential
• These changes are reflected in ArmyIgnitED Virtual Benefits Training (VBT) as well as the updated TA and CA Terms and Conditions
• Soldier and Supervisor tutorials can be accessed by clicking on the Credentialing Assistance tab on the Army COOL homepage, then click on the Resources box or by logging into ArmyIgnitED and selecting the “Help” button located in the top right corner of the screen followed by selecting the “Documents and Links” tab. Soldiers are encouraged to provide their supervisor the supervisor tutorial who do not have an existing ArmyIgnitED account 
• For CA assistance, Soldiers should contact the CA Virtual Counseling Cell (VCC) at https://www.cool.osd.mil/army/costs_and_funding/index.html?credentialingassistance