LVMAC Tidbits — Older Vets Retraining Assistance Update

“VOW to Hire Heroes” Act’s Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) About to Begin Accepting Applications

This is an update to the 28 March article.  Short story is:

1. Applications will accepted starting 15 May but the application form is still unknown;
2. High demand occupations the program will support are now specified;
3. One can now sign up to receive personalized email notifications to keep abreast;
4. Competition can expected to be heavy considering the number of slots available and the state of the economy — get up early and get there first.

And here is the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey used to say:

• The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Labor (DoL) are working together to roll out this new program on July 1, 2012.

• Twelve (12) months of training assistance is offered to veterans who:
  –  Are at least 35 but no more than 60 years old
  –  Are unemployed
  –  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 during fiscal year 2012, and to 54,000 participants from October 1, 2012, through March 31, 2014.

• Participants will receive a monthly payment equal to the full-time payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill–Active Duty program (currently $1,473 per month).

• Department of Labor (DoL) will offer employment assistance to every Veteran who participates or applies to 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.  To repeat, 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.

How to Apply:  The Department of Labor and the Department of Veterans Affairs will begin accepting applications on May 15, 2012. 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.

Source:  <http://benefits.va.gov/vow/education.htm>  Accessed 2 May 2012.  A new webpage.

[Editor’s Note:  Employers, see http://benefits.va.gov/vow/index.htm.]

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 As of 2 May 2012