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Education and Training Benefit – Applicant Guide

The Education and Training Benefit (ETB) recognizes a Veteran’s military service and can provide you with funding to help you achieve education and post-military employment goals.

Looking for qualifying information only?
Find out if you qualify for the program before you apply for funding.

Funding amounts

The maximum amount of funding you are entitled to depends on your years of service.

  • At least 6 years (or the equivalent of 2,191 paid days) of service = $40,000 (indexed annually by Consumer Price Index).
  • At least 12 years (or the equivalent of 4,382 paid days) of service = $80,000 (indexed annually by Consumer Price Index).

Please see the current ETB funding rates, including the amount available for Short Course funding.

ETB funding is taxable, and you will need to report it on your annual tax return. You may want to consult a financial planner to get personalized advice.

Types of funding

The Education and Training Benefit can help you pay for:

  • Formal Programs that result in a diploma, degree, certificate, or training that leads to a certification or designation; and/or
  • Short Courses for career and personal development.

Formal Program Funding

  • All of your maximum amount of ETB funding can be used towards approved full-length programs that lead to a diploma, degree, certificate, or certification.

Short Course Funding

  • A smaller amount of your maximum ETB funding can be used for Short Courses, such as those aimed at career and personal development, including business boot camps, workshops, and seminars.

Get advice

Prior to applying for ETB, you should consider applying for Career Transition Services (CTS). A career coach can provide you one-on-one support to help you:

  • choose the field of study that is right for you;
  • plan your studies to suit your circumstances;
  • complete your forms; and
  • support your search for a job when you have completed your courses.

There is no requirement to apply for Career Transition Services.

Application process

ETB has a two-step application process.

To access funding, you must:

Step 1: Apply for and qualify by submitting an Education and Training Benefit Application (VAC 1537).

Step 2: Apply for and have an Education and Training plan approved (Formal Program or Short Course) by submitting either:

You can expect a decision within four weeks of submitting a completed application. If you submit both an Education and Training Benefit application and an Education and Training plan at the same time, you can expect both decisions within eight weeks.

Apply online

You can apply online right now using My VAC Account. Applying through My VAC Account is faster and easier. Sign in now or register for My VAC Account.

By mail

Download the application form and mail your completed application directly to the address listed on the form.

Need help filling out the form?

Send us a secure message using My VAC Account or call us at 1-866-522-2122.

Your application must include your signature and a copy of your proof of identity, if we do not already have it on file.

Build your education plan

Once you qualify for the benefit, you will need to submit your Education and Training plan (Formal Program/Short Course) for approval to receive funding. The first step is to think about your options. Here are some things to consider:

  • Are you interested in pursuing a university degree? A trade-school? A few workshops?
  • How long does it usually take to complete the program?
  • Will you need to work while going to school?
  • Do you have other commitments which might limit the time you can dedicate to your studies?

Your answers to these and other questions will help you build your plan.

Submit your education plan – Formal program

Formal program

Formal Program funding is designed to assist you in pursuing training and education at a post-secondary level, such as a degree, diploma, or certificate program.

To be approved for Formal Program funding, a program must:

Courses and certifications offered by trade and specialized technical skill training schools would also qualify for funding as a Formal Program, even if they run less than 12 weeks in a 15-week period. For example, trucking courses, firefighter courses, etc.

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

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

Your Formal Program plan requires information such as number of courses, cost of the program, as well as start and end dates. This helps us calculate your payment plan to ensure you have enough funding to complete the program. If we need more information from you, we will contact you.

Apply online

You can apply online right now using My VAC Account. Applying through My VAC Account is faster and easier. Sign in now or register for My VAC Account.

My VAC Account

By mail

Download the application form and mail your completed application directly to the address listed on the form.

Download the Formal Program form

Need help filling out the form?

Send us a secure message using My VAC Account or call us at 1-866-522-2122.

Your application must include your signature and a copy of your proof of identity, if we do not already have it on file.

Submit your education plan – Short course

Short Course

Short Course funding is designed to support your career and personal development, such as enroling in boot camps, business development workshops, and instructor certifications (e.g., life coach and fitness trainer).

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

  • Provided by an organization, community-based group, or individual.
  • Available to the broad Veteran population, members of the Supplementary Reserve and/or the Canadian public.
  • Publicly advertised.
  • Provided online or in a public forum.

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

The amount of a Short Course funding payment will be aligned with the actual course costs charged by the educational institution.

Apply online

You can apply online right now using My VAC Account. Applying through My VAC Account is faster and easier. Sign in now or register for My VAC Account.

My VAC Account

By mail

Download the application form and mail your completed application directly to the address listed on the form.

Download the Short course form

Need help filling out the form?

Send us a secure message using My VAC Account or call us at 1-866-522-2122.

Your application must include your signature and a copy of your proof of identity, if we do not already have it on file.

Know your deadlines

Your ETB applications must be received by VAC before the start date of your chosen program/course, or the beginning of an upcoming period of study. Only periods of study that begin after your completed ETB applications are received by VAC will be considered for funding. We recommend submitting your applications at least 4 weeks before the start of your desired program.

We do not have the authority to make retroactive payments.

We can only issue payments within 60 days of the start date of your study period.

Once your education plan is approved, you will receive a letter detailing the total amount you will receive and your payment schedule.

Formal Program funding requirements

If you are approved for Formal Program funding, you will be responsible for certain administrative tasks in order to receive future period of study payments.

Monitor your progress

When you finish a period of study (e.g., semester), you will complete and submit the Education and Training Benefit – Monitoring Form. This form is required before we can send the next payment in your schedule. When you submit the Monitoring Form, you will also need to include:

  • Proof of completion of the recently finished period of study (e.g., transcript), and
  • Proof of enrollment in the upcoming period of study (e.g., confirmation of registration).

To ensure that these documents reach VAC quickly, we recommend uploading the monitoring form through My VAC Account. Once VAC receives your completed form, your next payment will be issued.

Change or amend your education plan

After your education plan has been approved, circumstances may arise that may make you want to change your plan. For example, the course load is too heavy, or you have experienced a disruption in your personal life.

If you want to make a change to your education plan, you must advise VAC immediately by completing and submitting the Education and Training Benefit - Plan Amendment. If you change programs or institutions, a new plan will need to be submitted for approval.

We will evaluate your updated plan, and if approved, will recalculate your payment schedule for the remaining periods of study.

Completion bonus

After you complete your Formal Program plan and obtain your diploma, degree, or certification, you can apply for the “Completion Bonus.” All you need to do is submit the Education and Training Benefit - Completion Bonus, along with proof of your achievement, and you will receive a taxable $1,000. This bonus does not reduce your total entitlement amount.

Additional information

Read this ETB fact sheet for Veterans.

The applicant guide (PDF) covers all of the steps from applying to this program through to your graduation.

Related programs

Career Transition Services – Access to a career coach for Veterans who want to find a new job.

Vocational Rehabilitation – Vocational Rehabilitation is available to Veterans who qualify for the Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Program. Vocational Rehabilitation services are based on your specific needs and may include coaching, support, and any other training you need to return to work or find a new job after an injury resulting primarily from service.

A Veteran cannot pursue Vocational Rehabilitation at the same time as accessing ETB funding, but it can be accessed before and/or after participating in ETB.

Transition Interview – Before your release, a meeting to provide information on VAC programs and services is available to you and your family.

Frequently asked questions

If I apply for the benefit and get declined, can I appeal?

Yes. If you are not satisfied with a decision you may apply in writing for a review within 60 days from the date you receive the decision letter. Requests must be submitted by My VAC Account secure messaging or by mail to:

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

Do family members qualify for the Education and Training Benefit?

No. This benefit is for Veterans only, but there are other options for family members:

  • Survivors, spouses and common-law partners may be able to access Vocational Assistance if the Veteran is ill or injured and unable to participate in Vocational Rehabilitation offered through the Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Program.
  • Children of deceased members or Veterans of the CAF, may qualify for the Education Assistance program.

Are there policies for this program?

Yes. Read more about the Education and Training Benefit policies.

Does VAC pay education institutions directly?

The Education and Training Benefit funding is paid directly to the Veteran. You will be responsible for paying tuition and other expenses to the educational institution. ETB funds are released in Canadian dollars, regardless of the location of the educational institution.

View all Education and Training Benefit FAQs.

Information for institutions

Veterans of the CAF have gained world-class skills and experience throughout their military careers that can translate very well into the classroom and workforce. The Education and Training Benefit will give many of these Veterans the funding to participate in post-secondary education and other career development training programs.

View more information for academic institutions.

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