Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP)

Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP)

• Collaborative partnership between VA and DOL

• Authorized by VOW To Hire Heroes Act (11/21/11)

• Program runs from July 1, 2012-March 31, 2014

• Serves up to 99,000 eligible veterans ages 35-60

VRAP Continued

Provides participants VA educational benefits for up to one year of Vocational Training which must:

– Be in a “high demand occupation” identified by DOL– Be in a community college, vocational or technical

school, full time up to 12 months– Lead to an AA, Non-College Degree, or Certification

VRAP Eligibility

• Be between the ages of 35 and 60 • Be unemployed on the date of application• Not be enrolled in any Federal or state job training

program during the previous 180 days• Be in receipt of an other than dishonorable discharge• Be ineligible for any other VA education program• Not be in receipt of VA compensation due to individual

unemployability

VRAP Applications

Veterans can apply beginning May 15, 2012:• Training can begin July 1, 2012• Up to 45,000 can be enrolled from May 15-September 30,

2012• Up to 54,000 can be enrolled from October 1, 2012-

October 1, 2013, with training concluding by March 31, 2014

• Application will be available online at the VOW Act website: http://benefits.va.gov/vow

VRAP and One-Stop CentersOne-Stop Center Staff will:• Inform veterans about VRAP• Assist veterans to understand VRAP eligibility and

application• Provide labor market information about the occupations

approved for VRAP training

For those veterans who complete the training or terminate early:• Contact individuals within 30 days to provide assistance.• Assist veterans with their job search

VRAP Service Flowchart

One- Stop Referral

VA Referral

Other Referral

Online VA/DOL

Application

Completes or Terminates

Training

VA sends DOL Participant Data

DOL transmits Data to Workforce

System

Workforce System offers services w/in

30 days