United States Department of Veterans Affairs
VOW to Hire Heroes Act 2011 - Veterans Retraining Assistance Program

Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP)

VRAP Counter as of November 9, 2012
Applications Received Applications Approved
74,258 62,049

 

Milestone for VRAP

We hit 45,000 approved applications for VRAP. We're excited so many Veterans have taken the opportunity to achieve their educational goals. Help us continue the momentum. We are still accepting applications for VRAP. If your application is approved, you will be eligible for VRAP benefits beginning October 1, 2012.

Warning about potential VRAP scam

Please be aware of a potential scam targeting veterans who have either signed up or have been approved for VRAP!

A veteran has reported receiving a call from someone named “James” who congratulated him on his VRAP approval. He advised him that he knew the exact amount he was approved for and that the $8500 would be directly deposited into his account within 45 minutes of him giving his banking account number and routing number and paying $205 for the service fee.

This person is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA will never charge you to access your benefits or ask you to provide private information over the phone. If you do receive a call like this, please contact the Federal Trade Commission by clicking here.

Congress passed, and the President has signed into law, the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011. Included in this new law is the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP). VRAP offers up to 12 months of training assistance to unemployed Veterans.

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 must attend full-time in order to receive up to 12 months of assistance equal to the monthly full-time payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill–Active Duty program ($1,564 effective October 1, 2012). 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.

VRAP Public Service Announcement


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.

VRAP Applications Are Open

We are accepting VRAP applications now. Please visit eBenefits to apply. Remember, 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 applicable high demand occupation.


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