Do You Know About These 4 VA Programs?
The NC Works Career Center Military Career Summit was held at the National Guard armory in Goldsboro, North Carolina in June 2021. (U.S. Army National Guard/Class Craig Norton)
Veteran education benefits can be confusing, especially when you aren't sure where to start. Beyond the GI Bill®, several other programs through the Department of Veterans Affairs can help veterans in their educational or professional pursuits. Here are four of them to get you started.
Veterans Readiness and Employment Services
VR&E exists to help veterans with service-connected disabilities with employment. The program helps with financial support towards certifications or additional courses for those eligible. In April 2021, changes were implemented that allowed veterans to use their 48 months of VR&E benefits and their 36 months of GI Bill.
Veterans Technology Education Courses
Everyone in today's workforce needs technology skills. The VET TEC program helps by offering veterans fast-track education experiences to help them learn software training or other high-tech skills. Veterans have to be eligible for the GI Bill to use this program, but this program doesn't use those entitlements.
You can use the program in the areas such as computer software or programming, data processing, information science and media applications.
Veterans Rapid Retraining and Assistance Program
The VRRAP helps with education and training costs for unemployed veterans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Veterans must meet all of the requirements to be eligible. It's not an either/or. The requirements are:
You're at least 22 years old but not more aged than 66
You're unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic
You're not rated as totally disabled because you can't work
You're not enrolled in a federal or state jobs program
You also cannot be receiving unemployment benefits when you're using VRRAP. Veterans eligible for VRRAP receive up to 12 months of tuition and fees and a monthly housing allowance.
Education and Career Counseling Program
Personalized Career Planning and Guidance (PCPG), also called Chapter 36, is available for veterans and their dependents eligible for an education benefit. The program offers career and educational counseling to help you decide upon your chosen path, resume support and goal planning, and counseling to help with anything that may get in the way of your success.
To be eligible, you must meet one of these qualifications:
discharged under conditions other than dishonorable from active duty within six months,
separated from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable not more than one year ago,
qualify as a Veteran or service member for educational assistance under a VA educational program,
currently eligible for VA education benefits
Learn more about G.I. Bill®️ benefits and other resources available to veterans and military-connected students.