GI Bill vs COOL Funding: Which Should Veterans Use First?
The GI Bill and Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) both pay for veteran education — but they cover different things. Here's how to sequence them.
Use COOL first while you're still in service — it pays for certifications without touching your GI Bill months. Save the GI Bill for post-separation degrees or long-form programs.
What COOL covers
Industry certifications (Security+, CCNA, PMP, ASE, CDL, and hundreds more) plus exam vouchers and required prep courses. Available to active duty; each branch runs its own portal.
What the GI Bill covers
Degree programs (BS/MS), coding bootcamps, some certifications, plus a monthly housing allowance. Chapter 33 (Post-9/11) is the version most veterans use.
The right sequence
- Burn COOL on certs while in uniform.
- Use SkillBridge for an internship.
- Use the GI Bill after separation for a degree or bootcamp.
- Transfer unused GI Bill benefits to dependents if eligible.
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