The Department of Veterans Affairs has begun accepting applications for a new GI Bill program designed to train veterans for high-demand jobs.
The Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program, or VRRAP, offers up to 12 months of cash payments to eligible veterans who enroll in approved job training programs that lead to associate degrees, technical degrees or certificates.
To be eligible for this program, veterans must:
- Be between ages 22-66;
- Be unemployed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic;
- Not be eligible for any federal GI Bill program (if eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, they must have transferred their benefits to family members -- thereby having no GI Bill eligibility for themselves);
- Not be VA rated as totally disabled due to unemployability;
- Not be enrolled in any other federal or state employment programs; or
- Not be in receipt of any unemployment or CARES Act benefits.
Veterans who were receiving unemployment or GI Bill benefits that have run out also are eligible.
The program is scheduled to last until Dec. 11, 2022, and will run until either 17,250 veterans complete training or the $386 million allocated by Congress for it is gone.
VA will cover the full cost of training and pay participating veterans a Monthly Housing Allowance based on the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
The program offers training in dozens of professions, including:
- CDL driver;
- Cosmetology;
- Cybersecurity;
- Dental assistant;
- HVAC technician;
- Graphic design;
- Massage therapists;
- Medical insurance billing;
- Welding.
Check out VA's complete list of current participating schools and the courses offered.
For more information and to apply, visit the VA's VRRAP web page.
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