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 can use CTS to choose a school or program that fits your career and educational goals. It’s available whenever you’re ready to use it.

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) of service in the Regular and/or Reserve Force*

*This includes 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.

2. Can I receive the Education and Training Benefit while participating in the Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Program or receiving the Canadian Forces Income Support Benefit?

No. You may qualify for both the Education and Training Benefit (ETB) and the Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Program (RSVP), or the Canadian Forces Income Support Benefit, at the same time; however, you can only participate in and receive funding from one program at a time. You can receive ETB funding either before or after completing RSVP.

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 or registration that shows your name, the program or 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 or 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 or program starts. We encourage you to send them at the same time.

You can submit ETB application forms by:

  • My VAC Account (this is the fastest and quickest way); or

  • 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 submit Education and Training Benefit (ETB) applications to us before you release, but we will not process them until you have officially released or transferred to the Supplementary Reserve.

Once you have released, notify us of your release date and pending ETB application(s) by:

It is not recommended that you submit ETB applications to us more than 6 months before your official release date.

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

We aim to render a decision on an Education and Training Benefit (ETB) application within 4 weeks of the date we receive your complete application. A complete application means one that has been signed and all required supporting documentation and information has been received.

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 is paid directly to you in Canadian dollars, regardless of where you live or the location of your educational institution. You are then responsible for paying the tuition fees and other expenses to the educational institution.

If you have a Formal Program Application (VAC1547) approved:

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

If you have a Short Course Application (VAC1549) approved:

  • The payment you receive will be for the exact cost of the course, based on the educational institution’s invoice.

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

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

3. 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 release date from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) or transfer date to the Supplementary Reserve to apply for and receive Education and Training Benefit funding.

Here are the key deadlines:

  • Apply by April 1, 2028, if you released from the CAF between April 1, 2006, and March 31, 2018.
  • Apply within 10 years of your release from the CAF if you released on or after April 1, 2018.
  • Apply within 10 years of your release from the Supplementary Reserve if you released between April 1, 2018, and July 4, 2019.
  • Apply by July 5, 2029, if you were in the Supplementary Reserve on July 5, 2019.
  • Apply within 10 years of your transfer, if you were transferred to the Supplementary Reserve after July 5, 2019.

2. I am interested in enrolling in a Formal Program, but my Education and Training Benefit eligibility 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 some of the program’s periods of study or semesters fall after your Education and Training Benefit eligibility end date. 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 qualified for the Education and Training Benefit (ETB) by having an ETB Eligibility Application (VAC1537) approved and you are unsure how long you have to apply for and receive funding, you can confirm your eligibility end date in My VAC Account on the Current Benefits screen.

6. I was approved for the Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Program shortly after my release from the Canadian Armed Forces. I just completed the program, but now I have limited time remaining to apply for and access Education and Training Benefit funding. What should I do?

As per the Veterans Well-Being Act, the Education and Training Benefit (ETB) ceases to be payable to a Veteran 10 years after they honourably released from the Canadian Armed Forces or last transferred to the Supplementary Reserve. As such, your ETB eligibility end date cannot be extended.

Check your eligibility end date in Funding Timeframes, Q1.

You should submit an Education and Training Benefit Eligibility Application (VAC1537) right away to confirm if you qualify for ETB.

If you know what program or course you are interested in pursuing, even if it extends past your ETB eligibility end date, submit either an Education and Training Benefit Formal Program Application (VAC1547) or an Education and Training Benefit Short Course Application (VAC1549) for consideration.

Formal programs

1. What kind of programs qualify for 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 = defined by the institution
  • University programs: Full time = 15 hours per week
  • College or private programs: Full time = 30 hours per 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 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 field of study or occupation.

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

Short Course funding is available to assist Veterans with their personal or professional development and 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. I have already started an educational program. Can I still receive Formal Program funding?

It depends. Funding for an approved Formal Program is given by study periods (e.g., semesters). We can only approve funding for future study periods.

Example: If your program starts on September 10, we need to receive a Formal Program Application (VAC1547) before that date to cover the whole program. If we get your application after the start date, you may only receive funding for any study periods that have not started yet.

7. My 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 or 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.

8. What if I want to make changes to 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 a Plan Amendment Form (VAC1573).

If you want to change your program or educational institution, you will need to submit a new Formal Program Application (VAC1547). You will also have to close your previous plan by submitting a 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.

9. 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 by sending us a secure message via My VAC Account or calling 1-866-522-2122. You must submit:

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

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

Technical education

1. I’m interested in a trade program, but it is shorter than 12 weeks within a 15-week period. Can the program be considered for Formal Program funding?

Yes, the program might still qualify under the Technical Education subcomponent of the Formal Program funding stream. Trade and specialized technical skill training school programs that are career-focussed and intensive can be considered for funding under this subcomponent.

To qualify for Formal Program funding under the Technical Education subcomponent, a program must:

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.

As with all other approved Formal Programs plans, you will be required to submit a Monitoring Form (VAC1550) and a proof of completion at the end of the program to prevent being in an overpayment.

Short courses

1. What kind of programs and courses qualify 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 and 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 that the program could qualify for Formal Program funding, we will contact you to see if you would prefer to submit a Formal Program Application (VAC1547) instead. If we do not hear back from you within 2 weeks, we will proceed with processing your Short Course application.

2. What amount of funding can I 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.

*Please see current ETB rates.

You can use this funding for multiple courses, but you must submit 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.

3. I have already started my course. Can I still receive Short Course funding?

No. We must receive a Short Course Application (VAC1549) before your course begins to qualify for funding.

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 within 60 days of receiving the decision by:

  • My VAC Account secure message; 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 completed an approved Formal Program plan, you can apply for a $1,000 taxable Completion Bonus by submitting a Completion Bonus Application (VAC1572), along with proof from your educational institution that you earned your degree, diploma, certificate, or certification via:

  • My VAC Account; or

  • Mail to:

    Veterans Affairs Canada
    PO Box 6000
    Matane QC G4W 0E4

An awarded Completion Bonus is not:

  • Deducted from your maximum ETB funding entitlement amount
  • Indexed annually
  • 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 and 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).

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

To learn how to get a high school or 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 or high school level diploma.

3. There are specific schools that indicate they focus on Veterans. Does VAC recommend any schools?

We do not recommend or endorse any schools or 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 or 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 favouritism 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?

No. Exam fees are not covered by Education and Training Benefit (ETB) funding on their own. The intent of ETB is to provide financial assistance for full education and training programs or courses, not just to fund an exam, test, licensing, or certification fee.

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

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