Veterans Retraining Assistance Program - VRAP
Provides Educational Assistance for Veterans

Yes, providing the program is associated with one of the high demand occupations. Also VRAP will fund only 12 months of the program.

Well, the Institute of Education Sciences gives us a nice search tool for this... Check it out (http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/)

Yes, qualifying is not based on education attained but rather the degree or certification you are going to pursue.

If you've received any VRAP payments and want to change to a different school, all credits earned under your initial VRAP enrollment must transfer to your new school. If they don't, you won't receive further payments under VRAP. If you have received any VRAP payments, you won't be allowed to change to another program of study - even at the same school - unless all your credits transfer to your new program. If you haven't gotten any VRAP payments and you want to train in a different program or at a different school you must submit a new "Application for VRAP Benefits" (VA Form 22-1990R) listing the new school and/or program of study.

Go to the eBenefits website for VONAPP, veterans online application. The web address is in resource section.

Yes. Contact your selected schools financial aide department to determine what is available.

Not to start the process. However before final certification you will need it. As a veteran you will need it to apply for any VA benefit. See website information in the resource section.

You have 2 options. First you can go to va.gov and find the link to submit a question or use the direct link in the resource section. Secondly you can call 1-888-442-4551, Veterans Affairs Education Customer Service Office. The links and numbers are in the resource section.

You must verify your attendance on the last day of every month before your funds are disbursed. You have 2 options, online or by phone. Online you will utilize WAVE, web automated verification of enrollment or you can call IVR, interactive voice response, 1-877-823-2378. The web address and phone number are in the resource section.

The Department of Labor defines "unemployed" as "People who are jobless, looking for jobs, and available for work." All three criteria must be met to be considered unemployed. Link in resource section.

Unemployment status is determined through self-attestation the day the Veteran applies for the program and they do not have to remain unemployed throughout the duration of the program.

VRAP monies are paid in adheres. Most military friendly schools will coordinate payment schedules with VA disbursement of funds. Grants and typical financial aide are available through the school.

Yes. In order for a school to qualify it must be a two-year technical school and/or community college. It makes no difference if it is online.

$1564.00 per month for 12 months.

Verify that payment has been issued by contacting VA at http://www.gibill.va.gov/ press submit question button or call 1-888-GIBILL-1 [1-888-442-4551]).

In most cases, yes. You must verify with your local state employment office.

Simply navigate to https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits-portal/ebenefits.portal and click on view my stats at the top.

If you do not have or are not eligible for a checking or savings account may qualify for an Electronic Transfer Account (ETA). More information on the ETA account is available at https://www.eta-find.gov

No. However before receiving benefits you must be certified by the school you are enrolling in.

It depends on how much Post-9/11 GI Bill entitlement you transferred. You may be eligible for VRAP if you transferred all unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to a spouse or dependent child. To qualify for VRAP you cannot be eligible for an education program administered by VA. Verify with the VA.

No. You receive them through direct deposit. It is your obligation to distribute owed monies to the school.

You will receive your COE, certificate of eligibility, letter from the VA. You will also receive a letter from Veterans Affairs indicating your direct deposit is set up.

No. VRAP only provides assistance for approved training offered at community colleges and technical schools. The term “community college” includes those educational institutions listed on the Department of Education's National Center for Educational Statistics’ http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ College Navigator website as 2-year institutions.

In a typical college situation fulltime is considered 12 credit hours. However with tech schools and other education institutions the system may be different. It needs to be verified with the veteran rep at the school.

Yes. You only have to be unemployed only at the time of application for VRAP.

Typically 30 days or less. Verify application status by contacting the VA at http://www.gibill.va.gov/ press submit question button or call 1-888-GIBILL-1 [1-888-442-4551]).

Payments will be issued at the beginning of each month for training pursued the previous month. For example, VA will issue payments at the beginning of August 2012 for training pursued in July 2012. Before you can get paid your school must submit your enrollment information to VA and you must verify your attendance. You will be notified when VA has processed the enrollment information received from your school. You may verify your enrollment online via the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) by clicking on the “Verify Attendance” button on the GI Bill website. You may also verify your attendance via telephone by calling 1-877 VA-ECERT (1-877-823-2378).

Any school which accepts and deals with the GI Bill will have a certifying VA representative. Understand this individual is not a representative from the VA but rather someone trained by the school to deal with the veterans issues. Typically they will be found in the financial aide department.

• Apply for VRAP through eBenefits.
• Wait for COE letter.
• Select school.
• Take COE to school of choice.
• Verify attendance through WAVE.

Funny you should ask.