Education and Training Benefit Q&As

Background

The Education and Training Benefit (ETB) recognizes your military service and can provide valuable opportunities for your next career. ETB funding can assist qualified Veterans to achieve education and post-military employment goals and 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, as it can help you choose an institution or program to match your career and educational goals.

Q&As

Qualifications

1. Who qualifies for the Education and Training Benefit?

To qualify for the Education and Training Benefit (ETB), you must:

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

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. Even if you qualify for these programs, you can only participate in one program at a time. You should choose the program that best suits your needs. To help you make a decision, check out the Education and Training Benefit, the Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Services, and the Canadian Forces Income Support Benefit.

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. To access Education and Training Benefit funding, you must:

  1. Submit an Education and Training Benefit Application (VAC1537) and have it approved to qualify for the benefit.
  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 (VAC 1549)], and proof of enrollment/registration*, and have it approved.

*Your proof of enrolment/registration must include your name, as well as the program/course provider's name, dates, and cost. If proof of enrolment/registration cannot be obtained until payment for the program/course is made, proof of intent to enroll/register can be accepted. This can be an invoice, a letter, or an email from the program/course provider confirming that you will be enrolled in the program/course only once payment is received. Your name and the date must be shown on this document.

You can submit ETB application forms to us:

  • Online through your My VAC Account (try our guided web forms) or
  • Download and mail them to:

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

Please note: You will need to have both your Education and Training Benefit Application and your Education and Training Plan Application submitted prior to your intended program/course start date. If both applications are received at the same time, there will be a turnaround time of up to 8 weeks.

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

Yes, but it is not recommended that you apply for the Education and Training Benefit (ETB) more than 6 months in advance of your anticipated release date.

ETB applications will not be processed until you have officially released or have transferred to the Supplementary Reserve. Once this has occurred, please notify us of your release date and that you have pending ETB application(s) by sending us a secure message via My VAC Account or by calling 1-866-522-2122.

Funding

1. How much Education and Training Benefit funding am I entitled to?

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

*Indexed annually by the Consumer Price Index.

Please see current ETB rates here.

Regular Force service, Primary Reserve Force (Class A, Class B, and Class C) service, Canadian Rangers service, Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service (COATS), and Supplementary Reserve service are all included in the paid days of service calculation.

Your number of paid days of service is calculated and provided to us by the Department of National Defence.

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

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

If you released from the CAF between 1 April 2006 and 31 March 2018, you have until 1 April 2028 to apply for and access ETB funding.

If you released from the Supplementary Reserve between 1 April 2018 and 4 July 2019, you have 10 years from your date of release to apply for and access ETB funding.

If you were a member of the Supplementary Reserve on 5 July 2019, you have until 5 July 2029 to apply for and access ETB funding.

If you transferred to the Supplementary Reserve after 5 July 2019, you have 10 years from the date of transfer to apply for and access ETB funding.

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

All approved Education and Training Benefit (ETB) funding will be paid directly to you. You will need to pay your approved program/course’s tuition costs to the educational institution.

For a Formal Program plan, a payment schedule will be determined, and payments will be calculated according to the:

  • amount of funding you qualify to receive
  • program duration
  • anticipated completion date

ETB funds will be disbursed in equal payments throughout your program (across study periods). Any funds remaining from your received payment(s), after you have paid the program tuition costs, may be used to cover other incidentals you incur while you are studying.

For an approved Short Course, your payment will be for the exact amount of the course cost, as noted on the invoice from the educational institution.

ETB payments will be issued to you no sooner than 60 days prior to the date the payment is due to the educational institution.

To receive payments as quickly as possible, please consider registering for direct deposit. To do so, log into My VAC Account and complete the direct deposit information on the profile screen.

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

Your Education and Training Benefit (ETB) Formal Program or Short Course application must be received by VAC before the start date of your chosen program/course, or an upcoming period of study begins. Only periods of study that begin after your completed ETB application is received by VAC will be considered for funding.

Example: If your educational program starts on 10 September, your completed Formal Program application must be submitted on or before 9 September to be considered for funding for your first period of study (e.g., semester). If your application is submitted after 10 September, only your subsequent period(s) of study will be considered for funding.

5. I need to travel for school. Will the Education and Training Benefit cover travel or living expenses?

The Education and Training Benefit (ETB) was designed to provide Veterans with financial support to cover tuition for a program/course. Any ETB funding that you have remaining after paying tuition to the educational institution may be used to help you cover other expenses you incur while studying. It is important to know that travel or living expenses are not included in the determination of your approved funding amount.

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

Yes. The Education and Training Benefit (ETB) is a taxable benefit and we do not withhold any tax from ETB payments. You will receive a T4A Statement of Pension, Retirement, Annuity, and Other Income for the ETB funding amount you receive.

You should consider the financial and tax implications of ETB, as it may affect other benefits you may qualify to receive, such as Canada Student Loans, bursaries, and other government benefits.

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:

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

Examples of a Formal Program include:

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

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

Yes. For institutions that are 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.

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.

Full time for graduate studies is defined by the institution you attend. You do not need to attend your desired program full time, but VAC needs to know the program’s full-time equivalent to determine if it meets the Formal Program duration requirement. While the duration for standard degree and diploma programs is clear, we recognize that there are post-secondary programs that do not follow traditional academic semesters or periods of study.

VAC uses the following guidelines to determine a full-time equivalent for non-standard programs:

  • for university programs, full time is equivalent to 15 hours per week
  • for college or private institute programs, full time is equivalent to 30 hours per week.

We recommend that you ask the educational institution offering your program to provide you with confirmation of the full-time equivalent, and then you submit this documentation with your Formal Program application. This will help us render a decision on your application as quickly as possible.

Note: The “12 weeks within a 15-week period” requirement does not apply for a program that qualifies under the Technical Education subcomponent of the Formal Program funding stream. Please see Technical Education.

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

The Education and Training Benefit Policy states that a program must lead to a post-secondary degree, diploma, certificate, or certification to be considered for Formal Program funding. While the terminology of a program’s resulting credential can vary, it must be based on an assessment of a minimum standard of knowledge, skill, and/or competencies, in a specific field of study/occupation.

For example, a certificate of completion may be awarded at the end of a designated educational institution’s program, but the student’s level of knowledge, skill, and/or competencies was not adequately assessed. This program would not meet the outcome criteria required to be approved for Formal Program 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 was specifically designed to assist Veterans in their personal or professional development and/or to obtain a certification or professional designation.

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 an Education and Training Benefit Formal Program Application (VAC1547) and select “yes” to the Alternate Funding Option in Section F of the application. This ensures that your program will first be considered under the Formal Program funding stream, but it will automatically be considered for Short Course funding if not approved for Formal Program funding. This eliminates having to submit a separate Short Course application, should your program not be approved for Formal Program funding.

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

If your Formal Program application is approved, you must submit an Education and Training Benefit Monitoring Form (VAC1550) before each upcoming period of study (i.e. semester) to receive your next payment.

Along with your completed Monitoring Form, you will be asked to include:

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

If you do not provide the required documentation, you may find yourself in an overpayment situation.

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 a change in the length of time it will take you to complete your studies or a change in 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 of study or educational institution, you will need to submit a new Education and Training Benefit Formal Program Application (VAC1547). Your previous plan will need to be completed and you will be required to submit an Education and Training Benefit Monitoring Form (VAC1550) and a proof of completion for the last period of study you completed.

Please note: It is important to notify us as soon as possible of any changes to your Formal Program Plan and submit all required documentation, to avoid being in an overpayment situation. Send us a secure message via My VAC Account or call 1-866-522-2122.

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

It is your responsibility to let us know if you discontinue your Formal Program plan by sending us a secure message via My VAC Account or by calling 1-866-522-2122.

You will be required to 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 this information, you will be advised if you have been overpaid.

Technical Education

1. What kind of funding will I receive if my 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?

Technical Education is a sub-component of the Formal Program funding stream. Programs that fall under this sub-component are offered by trade and specialized technical skill training schools. In order to be considered under the Formal Program funding stream, the Technical Education program must be offered by an institution found on the Employment and Social Development Canada’s Master List of Designated Institutions, and lead to a degree, diploma, certification, or designation, but it can be shorter than 12 weeks within a 15-week period in length.

Examples of a Technical Education program include:

  • Truck driving course
  • Firefighter course

For an approved Technical Education program, funding will cover the tuition and mandatory fees charged by the post-secondary institution, rounded up to the next $5,000 increment. For example, if your program costs $8,700, you will receive $10,000.

As with any other Formal Program, you will be required to submit an Education and Training Benefit 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 be approved for Short Course funding, the program/course must:

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

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)

Note: If you submit a Short Course application and we determine the program could qualify for Formal Program funding, we will reach out to you to confirm whether you wish to submit a Formal Program application instead. If we do not hear back after 2 weeks, we will proceed with processing your Short Course application.

2. How much can I receive for Short Courses?

Up to $5,000* of your maximum Education and Training Benefit (ETB) funding entitlement amount can be used to fund Short Courses.

Short Course funding can be used for multiple courses, up until your maximum Short Course amount has been used up. Funds you receive for approved Short Courses reduce your maximum ETB funding entitlement amount.

*Please see current ETB rates here.

Appeals

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

Yes. If you are dissatisfied with your Education and Training Benefit (ETB) decision, you can a request a review in writing within 60 days of receiving the decision by sending a secure message through My VAC Account or by mailing it to:

Veterans Affairs Canada
PO Box 6000
Matane QC G4W 0E4

Completion Bonus

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

If you have successfully completed an approved Formal Program (including a program under the Technical Education subcomponent), you can apply for a taxable $1,000 Completion Bonus by submitting an Education and Training Benefit Completion Bonus Form (VAC1572). You will need to provide a proof of completion from your educational institution to confirm that you have obtained your degree, diploma, certificate, or certification.

An awarded Completion Bonus is not:

  • taken from your maximum ETB funding entitlement amount
  • indexed annually
  • awarded for a successfully completed Short Course

General information

1. Can I receive help choosing an education program?

If you would like help planning your education, please consider applying for our Career Transition Services (CTS) program. The CTS contractor can help you find schools/programs that are best suited for your academic goals. They can also help you find employment when your education or training is completed.

2. I do not have a high school diploma or the General Education Development. Do I need it to be approved for the Education and Training Benefit?

No. A high school diploma or the General Educational Development (GED) high school equivalency certification is not a requirement to qualify for the Education and Training Benefit (ETB).

It could be required to enroll in your selected post-secondary program. To learn more about obtaining a high school/secondary school diploma, please contact your provincial or territorial department of education or visit High School Diploma and Continuing Education.

Note: ETB funds cannot be approved to obtain a secondary school/high school level diploma, such as the GED.

3. I am being advised to attend a specific school because they say they focus on Veterans. Does VAC recommend any schools?

You should go to the school that best suits your academic and employment goals. We do not recommend or endorse any schools/educational institutions. Career Transition Services (CTS) 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?

VAC must not show favoritism to any particular program, institution, or business. We cannot be involved in the design or the endorsement of any particular educational institutions, course providers, programs, or courses. For more information about Education and Training Benefit funding visit:

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