VRAP GI Bill Factsheet

The Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) GI Bill offers up to 12 months of Montgomery GI Bill benefits for older unemployed veterans. Unemployed veterans between the age of 35 and 60 may apply for education benefits worth as much as $17,600 ($1473 a month). This new GI Bill program was created as a part of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011. 

To be eligible for the VRAP GI Bill you must:

• Be at least 35 but no more than 60 years old.
• Be unemployed (as determined by DoL).
• Not have a dishonorable discharge.
• Not be eligible for any other VA education benefit program.
• Not be drawing VA compensation due to unemployability.
• Not be enrolled in a federal or state job training program.

Here's what you should know about the new VRAP before you apply:

• This benefit can only be used to earn an Associate Degree, Non-College Degree, or a Certificate, and train the you for a high demand occupation
• According to the VA, the program should begin processing VRAP benefits on July 1, 2012.
• This new benefit will be limited to 45K vets in FY2012 and 54K from October 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014.
• Once you have completed the VRAP education program, the Dept. of Labor will provide employment assistance.

Visit the Military Advantage Blog to review the "LIVE Blog" event featuring House Veterans Affairs Committee staff answering questions about this brand new GI Bill program.

Be sure to visit the VA’s VRAP webpage to learn more and apply.