Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP)

VRAP Counter as of February 12, 2013

Applications Received	Applications Approved
98,780	81,378

 

What is the VRAP Program?

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 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 you wish to train in. To view an informative video on how to complete the application click here. NOTE: You do not have to select a program and high-demand occupation in order to complete the application like the video states.

Withdrawal Information

It’s important for VA to know if you do not plan on using your benefits---we could open your spot to someone else. 
If you received a Certificate of Eligibility for VRAP but no longer wish to participate in the program, you can let us know by sending us an email via the GI Bill website at www.GIBill.va.gov.  Click on the “Submit a Question” button in the middle of the page, login to your account and click “Ask a Question.”  You must have an account to submit a question.  If you do not have an account, you can set one up by clicking here. 

Please place “Withdraw from VRAP” in the subject line and provide the following information in the body of your email:

• Full Name
• File Number (Social Security Number)
• Why you no longer need or want to participate in the program

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A VRAP Success Story

Note: Since this video was made the monthly VRAP rate has increased to $1,564/month.

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.