Military Connection – Veterans Retraining Assistance Program – VRAP

Veterans Retraining Assistance Program – VRAP

As a part of the VOW To Hire Heroes Act signed into law in November of last year, is a very important component to stimulate Veteran employment. This is the Veterans Retraining and Assistance Program known as VRAP. The goal of VRAP is to end veteran unemployment and train 99,000 Veterans for jobs. Veterans Retraining and Employment Act will provide Veterans training for programs of education that lead to a high demand occupation, as determined by the Department of Labor. Additional education benefits may apply to veterans who qualify.

The Veteran Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) allows qualifying Veterans between the ages of 35 and 60 to receive up to 12 months of education assistance. Maximum payments are equal to the full-time rate for the Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty, currently $1,473 monthly.

Veteran Qualifications include:

• Veteran must be 35 to 60 years of age, unemployed on the day of application, and have discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
• Veteran must be enrolled in education or training after July 1, 2012.
• Veteran must be enrolled in a VA-approved program of education offered by a community college or technical school leading to an associate degree, non-college degree or a certificate for a high-demand occupation as defined by the Department of Labor – see list below
• Veteran must not be eligible for any other VA education benefits, such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill, or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment;
• Veteran must not have participated in a federal or state job training program within the last 180 days
• Veteran cannot have received VA compensation at the 100 percent rate due to individual un-employability.

Under VRAP, Veterans Retraining and Assistance Program, Veterans apply on a first-come, first-served basis for programs that begin on or after July 1. The VA began accepting applications on May 15. The program is limited to 45,000 Veterans for 2012, the first fiscal year and 54,000 Veterans may participate during the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2012. The goal of VRAP is to train 99,000 Veterans for high demand jobs over the next two years.

For more information on these great benefits and how to apply, please visit www.benefits.va.gov/VOW or call toll free at 1-800-827-1000. The VA is now accepting VRAP applications now. Please visit eBenefits to apply. DoL will provide employment assistance to every Veteran who participates upon completion of their program.

The high demand occupations include: