Education and Training Benefit Q&As

Background

The Education and Training Benefit (ETB) recognizes your military service and can help prepare you for your next career. ETB funding can assist you with your education and post-military employment goals and allow you to be more competitive in the civilian workforce.

Career Transition Services (CTS) is a complementary program to ETB. You are strongly encouraged to apply for CTS to help you choose a school or program that fits your career and educational goals.

Q&As

Qualifications

1. Who qualifies for the Education and Training Benefit?

You qualify for the Education and Training Benefit if you:

  • were honourably released from the Canadian Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve) on or after 1 April 2006, or are a member of the Supplementary Reserve; and
  • have at least 6 years (2,191 paid days) in the Regular and/or Reserve Force

2. Can I participate in the Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Program or the Canadian Forces Income Support Benefit at the same time as the Education and Training Benefit?

No. You can only participate in one program at a time, even if you also qualify for both the Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Services and the Canadian Forces Income Support Benefit.

Choose the program that best suits your needs. For help deciding, explore each program or contact Career Transition Services (CTS) for guidance.

Application process

1. How do I apply for the Education and Training Benefit?

The Education and Training Benefit (ETB) has a two-step application process:

  1. Submit an Education and Training Benefit Application (VAC1537) and have it approved.
  2. Submit an Education and Training Plan – either an Education and Training Benefit Formal Program Application (VAC1547) or an Education and Training Benefit Short Course Application (VAC1549) – and have it approved.

Include proof of enrollment/registration that shows your name, the program/course, the provider's name, the course or program dates and cost. If you cannot obtain this until payment is made, submit proof of intent to enroll/register (invoice, letter, or email from the provider confirming you will be enrolled once payment is made).

Both forms should be submitted before your course/program starts. We encourage you to send them at the same time.

You can submit ETB forms:

  • Online through My VAC Account using guided web forms; or
  • By mail to:

    Veterans Affairs Canada
    PO Box 6000
    Matane, QC G4W 0E4

2. I am still serving, but I plan to release soon. Can I apply for the Education and Training Benefit?

Yes, you can apply prior to releasing, but we do not recommend submitting your applications more than 6 months before your anticipated release.

We will not process Education and Training Benefit (ETB) applications until you have officially released or transferred to the Supplementary Reserve.

Once released, notify us of your release date and pending ETB application by:

3. How long will it take to receive an Education and Training Benefit application decision?

We aim to make a decision within 4 weeks of the date we receive your complete Education and Training Benefit (ETB) application signed and with all supporting documentation/information.

Please note that if you submit both the ETB Eligibility Application (VAC1537) and the Education and Training Plan [Formal Program Application (VAC1547) or Short Course Application (VAC1549)] at the same time, each application will be reviewed separately and it may take up to 4 weeks to process each one. Therefore, the total turnaround time could be up to 8 weeks.

Funding

1. What amount of Education and Training Benefit funding can I qualify for?

The maximum Education and Training Benefit (ETB) entitlement amount you can receive is based on the length of your Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) service:

  • at least 6 years (2,191 paid days) of service = $40,000*
  • at least 12 years (4,382 paid days) of service = $80,000*

*Indexed annually by the Consumer Price Index.

Check the current ETB rates.

Your paid service days include time in the Regular Force, Primary Reserve Force (Class A, B, C), Canadian Rangers, Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service (COATS), and Supplementary Reserve. The Department of National Defence calculates your number of paid days of service and shares it with VAC.

2. How will I receive my approved Education and Training Benefit funding?

Approved Education and Training Benefit (ETB) funding will be paid directly to you. You will then use the funding to pay your tuition fees to the educational institution.

For an approved Formal Program Application (VAC1547):

  • You will get equal payments spread out over your study periods.
  • The payment amount and schedule depend on:
    • amount of funding you qualify for;
    • how long your program is; and
    • when you are expected to finish.
  • After you have paid your tuition, you can use remaining funds to cover other costs you may have while studying.

For an approved Short Course Application (VAC1549):

  • your payment will be for the exact course cost, based on the invoice from the educational institution.

Payments are sent up to 60 days before the payment is due to the educational institution or 60 days before the program/course start date.

To get your money faster, sign up for direct deposit in your My VAC Account.

3. Can I still receive Education and Training Benefit funding if I apply after I have already started my program or course?

A Formal Program Application (VAC1547) must be received before your program begins for all study periods to qualify for funding.

  • Example: If your program starts on 10 September, we must receive your Formal Program application before that date.
  • If your application is received after the start date, only future study periods will be considered for funding.

A Short Course Application (VAC1549) must be received before your course begins to qualify for funding.

4. Are there any tax implications from receiving Education and Training Benefit funding?

Yes. The Education and Training Benefit (ETB) is a taxable benefit, and no tax is taken off your payments. You will receive a T4 Statement of Renumeration Paid for the ETB funding amount you receive each year.

ETB may affect other benefits such as Canada Student Loans, bursaries, and other government benefits. Please consult with the Canada Revenue Agency if you have any tax-related questions.

Funding Timeframes

1. Do I have to apply for and receive Education and Training Benefit funding by a certain date?

Yes. You have 10 years from your Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) release date or transfer date to the Supplementary Reserve to apply for and receive Education and Training Benefit (ETB) funding.

Here are the key deadlines:

  • Released from the CAF between 1 April 2006 and 31 March 2018 – Apply by 1 April 2028.
  • Released from the CAF on or after 1 April 2018 – Apply within 10 years of your release.
  • Released from the Supplementary Reserve between 1 April 2018 and 4 July 2019 – Apply within 10 years of your release.
  • In the Supplementary Reserve on 5 July 2019 – Apply by 5 July 2029.
  • Transferred to the Supplementary Reserve after 5 July 2019 – Apply within 10 years of your transfer.

2. I am interested in enrolling in a Formal Program, but my eligibility to the benefit ends before I will be able to fully complete the program. What are my options?

You are encouraged to submit a Formal Program Application (VAC1547), even if parts of your program happen after your benefit eligibility ends. You can be approved for funding for the portion of your program that can be paid on or before your eligibility end date. You will be responsible to cover the costs for any remaining periods of study that fall after your eligibility end date.

Check your eligibility end date in Funding Timeframes, Q1.

3. What happens if I submit a Short Course application right before my eligibility end date?

You can still submit a Short Course Application (VAC1549) to fund a course that begins after your eligibility end date. To be approved, the payment must be made on or before your eligibility ends, and we can only approve a payment:

  • up to 60 days before the payment is due to the course provider; or
  • up to 60 days before the course start date if there is no due date.

4. I will not be able to finish my approved Formal Program Plan before my eligibility to the benefit ends. Can I get an extension?

No, your eligibility end date cannot be extended.

If you have a Formal Program Application (VAC1547) approved before your eligibility end date, and something serious happens (like illness, becoming a primary caregiver, or a death in the family) that prevents you from continuing your studies as planned, you can submit a Plan Amendment Form (VAC1573) explaining your situation.

We will review your request and may ask you to provide additional information. VAC may consider paying funds beyond an eligibility end date in very exceptional cases.

5. I have qualified for the Education and Training Benefit. How do I confirm my eligibility end date?

If you have had an ETB Eligibility Application (VAC1537) approved and are unsure how long you have to apply for and receive funding, you can confirm your eligibility end date in your My VAC Account on the Current Benefits screen.

Formal Programs

1. What kind of programs qualify for Education and Training Benefit Formal Program funding?

To qualify for Formal Program funding, a program must:

Please note: For graduate level training, full-time is defined by the granting institution.

While each funding application is considered on a case-by-case basis, examples of a Formal Program include:

  • Bachelor of Business Administration program
  • Personal Care Worker Diploma program
  • Pharmacy Technician Diploma program

2. Will VAC consider institutions that are not on the Employment and Social Development Canada’s Master List of Designated Institutions?

Yes. If an institution is not on the Employment and Social Development Canada’s Master List of Designated Institutions, you must submit documentation proving that it is a government-recognized post-secondary educational institution to qualify for Education and Training Benefit Formal Program funding.

3. How do I know if my desired educational program meets the duration requirement to qualify for Formal Program funding?

Your desired educational program needs to run at least 12 weeks within a 15-week period, or the full-time equivalent, to qualify for Formal Program funding.

  • Graduate studies: Full time is defined by the institution
  • University programs: Full time = 15 hours/week
  • College or private programs: Full time = 30 hours/week

You do not need to attend your desired program full time, but we must know the program’s full-time equivalent. Ask the educational institution offering your program to confirm the full-time equivalent and include it in your Education and Training Benefit Formal Program Application (VAC1547) to avoid delays.

Note: The “12 weeks within a 15-week period” requirement does not apply for the Technical Education subcomponent.

4. I am interested in a professional development certificate program. Would it qualify for Formal Program funding?

To qualify for Formal Program funding, a program must lead to a post-secondary degree, diploma, certificate, or certification. The program must include a way to evaluate that you have reached a basic level of knowledge, skills, or abilities in a specific subject or job area.

For example, some programs give you a certificate of completion, but if your level of knowledge, skills, or competencies were not assessed, then the program does not qualify for funding. Most certificates in continuing education, professional development, and executive programs do not have an appropriate level of assessment in a specific field of study/occupation.

Short Course funding is available to assist Veterans with their personal or professional development, and/or obtain a certification or professional designation.

For more information, see the Education and Training Benefit Policy.

5. I am unsure whether my desired program will qualify for Formal Program funding. What should I do?

If you are unsure whether your desired program would qualify for Formal Program funding, you can submit a Formal Program Application (VAC1547). In Section F, select “yes” to the Alternate Funding Option. This ensures that your program will be checked for Formal Program funding first. If it does not qualify, your program will automatically be considered for Short Course funding. You will not need to submit a separate Short Course application.

6. My Education and Training Benefit Formal Program application was approved. Do I need to do anything else to receive funding?

If your Formal Program Application (VAC1547) is approved, you will receive your first payment up to 60 days before the payment is due to the institution or up to 60 days before the program start date if there is no due date. To receive each subsequent payment, you must submit a Monitoring Form (VAC1550) before each period of study (i.e., semester) as well as:

  • proof that your current period of study is in progress or proof of completion of the previous period of study (e.g., transcript); and
  • proof of enrollment in the upcoming period of study (e.g., confirmation of registration).

If you do not provide the required documentation, you may receive a surplus amount of funding and be required to pay it back.

Please note: You are encouraged to submit these documents via My VAC Account.

7. What if I want to change the program/educational institution of my approved Formal Program plan?

If there are changes to your approved Formal Program plan, such as the length of time or the number of periods of study, you must complete and submit an Education and Training Benefit Plan Amendment Form (VAC1573).

If you want to change your program or educational institution, you will need to submit a new Education and Training Benefit Formal Program Application (VAC1547). You will also have to finish your previous plan and submit an Education and Training Benefit Monitoring Form (VAC1550), along with proof that you completed your last period of study.

Important: Notify us of any changes to your Formal Program Plan as soon as possible and submit all required documentation to avoid being in an overpayment situation. You can send us a secure message via My VAC Account or call 1-866-522-2122.

8. What should I do if I discontinue my Formal Program plan in the middle of a period of study?

You must let us know if you discontinue your Formal Program plan. Send us a secure message via My VAC Account or call 1-866-522-2122. You must submit:

  • the reason you discontinued your program.
  • the date you stopped attending the program.
  • a final Education and Training Benefit Monitoring Form (VAC1550), including proof of completion from the institution (even a record of a withdrawal or not completed).
  • any amount of refunded tuition that the institution has returned to you.

Once we receive and review your information, we will advise you if you have an overpayment.

Technical Education

1. My desired program is offered by an approved post-secondary school and results in a diploma, but it is shorter than 12 weeks within a 15-week period. Can the program be considered for Formal Program funding?

Yes, it might still qualify under the Technical Education subcomponent of the Formal Program funding stream. Trade and specialized technical skill training school programs can be considered for funding under this subcomponent.

To qualify for Technical Education funding:

While each funding application is considered on a case-by-case basis, examples of a Technical Education program include:

  • Truck driving program
  • Firefighter program

If your program is approved, funding will cover the tuition and mandatory fees. The amount is rounded up to the nearest $5,000. For example, if your program costs $8,700, you will receive $10,000.

Just like other Formal Programs, you will be required to submit a Monitoring Form (VAC1550) and a proof of completion when the program ends to avoid being overpaid.

Short Courses

1. What kind of program/course qualifies for Short Course funding?

To qualify for Short Course funding, a course must be:

  • provided by an organization, community-based group or individual.
  • offered and available to Veterans, members of the Supplementary Reserve, or the Canadian public.
  • conducted online or in a public forum.
  • publicly advertised or information about the course must be accessible to the public.

While each funding application is considered on a case-by-case basis, examples of a Short Course include:

  • entrepreneurial boot camps
  • community school courses (i.e., photography, woodworking, and art classes)
  • business development workshops/seminars
  • instructor certification courses (i.e., life coach, dance, fitness, and yoga)
  • second language training

Note: If you submit a Short Course Application (VAC1549) and we determine the program could qualify for Formal Program funding, we will contact you to ask if you want to submit a Formal Program Application (VAC1547) instead. If we do not hear back after 2 weeks, we will process your Short Course application.

2. What is the amount of funding that I can receive for Short Courses?

You can get up to $5,000* from your total Education and Training Benefit (ETB) amount to pay for Short Courses.

You can use this funding for multiple courses, but you must fill out a Short Course Application (VAC1549) for each desired course. Any money you receive for Short Courses will be taken out of your total ETB funding entitlement amount.

*Please see current ETB rates here.

Appeals

1. Can I appeal an Education and Training Benefit decision?

Yes. If you do not agree with your Education and Training Benefit (ETB) decision, you can request a review. You must send your written request to us within 60 days of receiving the decision by:

  • My VAC Account; or
  • mail to:

    Veterans Affairs Canada: National 1st Level Appeals Unit
    PO Box 6000
    Matane QC G4W 0E4

Completion Bonus

1. What is a Completion Bonus and how do I apply?

If you have successfully finished an approved Formal Program, you can apply for a $1,000 taxable Completion Bonus by completing a Completion Bonus Application (VAC1572). Send it with proof from your educational institution that you earned your degree, diploma, certificate, or certification to us via:

  • My VAC Account; or
  • mail to:

    Veterans Affairs Canada: National 1st Level Appeals Unit
    PO Box 6000
    Matane QC G4W 0E4

An awarded Completion Bonus is not:

  • deducted from your maximum ETB funding entitlement amount;
  • indexed annually; or
  • awarded for a successfully completed Short Course.

General information

1. Can I get help choosing an education program?

Yes. You can apply for Career Transition Services (CTS) if you would like help planning your education. The CTS contractor can help you:

  • find schools/programs that are best suited for your academic goals
  • find employment when you have completed your education or training.

2. I do not have a high school diploma or the Canadian Adult Education Credit. Is one required to qualify for the Education and Training Benefit?

No. You do not need a high school diploma or the Canadian Adult Education Credit (CAEC), formerly the General Educational Development (GED) high school equivalency certification, to qualify for the Education and Training Benefit (ETB).

Some schools or programs may require one of these certifications to let you enroll.

To learn how to get a high school/secondary school diploma, please contact your provincial or territorial department of education or visit High School Diploma and Continuing Education.

Please note: You cannot receive ETB funds to obtain a secondary school/high school level diploma.

3. There are specific schools that indicate they focus on Veterans. Are any schools recommended?

We do not recommend or endorse any schools/educational institutions. You should go to the school that best suits your academic and employment goals. Career Transition Services can provide you with information to help you choose a school/program that is right for you.

4. My organization is looking at offering an educational program for Veterans. Can I receive assistance in designing the program to ensure a Veteran would qualify for Education and Training Benefit funding?

No. VAC cannot be involved in the design nor the endorsement of any educational institution, course provider, program, or course. We must not show favoritism to any program, institution, or business.

For more information about Education and Training Benefit funding, please visit:

5. I need to pay for an exam to obtain my certification. Are exam fees covered by Education and Training Benefit funding?

Not on their own. Education and Training Benefit funding is to provide financial assistance for full education and training programs and courses – not just an exam, test, licensing, or certification fee.

If you do apply for Short Course funding, and the exam/test/licensing/certification fees are included in the course invoice, then the full cost (including the exam) can be considered for funding.

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