More than 4,000 veterans have taken advantage of a VA program providing job retaining skills to those put out of work by the COVID-19 pandemic, but eligible participants have only a few more months to sign up.

The Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP) is open to veterans who are:

• At least 22 years old, but not age 67 or older.
• Unemployed because of the pandemic.
• Ineligible for GI Bill or Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) benefits.
• Not enrolled in a federal or state job program.
• Not receiving VA disability compensation because of an inability to work, or receiving unemployment compensation (including enhanced benefits) under the CARES Act.

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The program covers courses approved under the GI Bill as well as Veteran Employment Through Technology Courses (VET TEC) designed to train veterans for designated high-demand jobs. Participants receive up to 12 months of tuition and fees along with a monthly housing allowance.

It’s limited to 17,250 and will close after that figure is reached or as of Dec. 11, 2022, whichever comes first.

Learn more about the program at this VA webpage, including what schools are participating and what other job- and education-related benefits may cover retraining needs for those ineligible for VRRAP. You can also contact the VA’s Education Call Center with questions at 1-888-442-4551 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern.