Are you or do you know an unemployed Veteran?

There is still time to apply for the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP), but don’t delay. Almost 20,000 of the 45,000 slots for this fiscal year have already been applied for.

The VRAP program is a joint effort by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor to offer additional educational and/or training benefits to unemployed Veterans 35 to 60 years old that do not have any remaining GI Bill benefits. If qualified, you may be eligible to receive up to 12 months of Montgomery GI benefits ($1,473/mo) leading to an Associates Degree or certification for a high demand occupation.

Apply online before all the openings are gone! Visit VOW to learn more about the program and to apply now. To complete the application you will need to know your direct deposit information (bank routing number and account number), the name and location of your school, the program you wish to pursue, and the high demand occupation you are training towards.

If you have further questions please visit our Customer Help page where you can read our FAQs about the VRAP program or submit a question to our customer service staff.

Thank you for your service. Please feel free to pass this message on to another Veteran. We have found most of our outreach and referrals come from Vets helping Vets.

The VRAP offers 12 months of training assistance to Veterans who:

• Are at least 35 but no more than 60 years old
• Are unemployed on the date of application
• Received an other than dishonorable discharge
• Are not be eligible for any other VA education benefit program (e.g.: the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Assistance)
• Are not in receipt of VA compensation due to unemployability
• Are not enrolled in a federal or state job training program

The program is limited to 45,000 participants from July 1, 2012, through September 30, 2012, and 54,000 participants from October 1, 2012, through March 31, 2014. Participants may receive up to 12 months of assistance equal to the monthly full-time payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill–Active Duty program (currently $1,473 per month). DOL will offer employment assistance to every Veteran who participates upon completion of the program.

Participants must be enrolled in a VA approved program of education offered by a community college or technical school. The program must lead to an Associate Degree, Non-College Degree, or a Certificate, and train the Veteran for a high demand occupation.

High Demand Jobs

VRAP will provide training for programs of education that lead to a high demand occupation, as determined by the Department of Labor. Click here to see a listing of high demand occupations.