Veteran Education Benefits: Earn While You Learn

Joe Wallace

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers veteran education benefits that can help qualifying applicants earn money while attending college.

The three primary programs that facilitate this are the VA Work-Study Program, which provides part-time jobs related to veteran services; the VA Cooperative Training Program, which integrates full-time employment into a college degree plan; and the VA On-the-Job/Apprenticeship Training Program, which allows veterans to learn a skilled trade while employed.

You can apply for all of these programs at the Department of Veterans Affairs official site, but before you do, you may find answers to some frequently asked questions about VA veteran education benefits below.

The information below is subject to change due to legislative updates, policy changes, funding issues, and demand fluctuations. The information below is current at press time but your experience may vary depending on these variables. Always check with your school and the Department of Veterans Affairs before applying to ensure the program you need is still available.

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What is the VA Work-Study Program, and how does it function?

The VA Work-Study Program lets student veterans earn a tax-free allowance by working part-time in roles that serve the veteran community. It provides a flexible way to gain income while pursuing an education. Participants perform work that is directly related to the VA, its mission, or general veterans’ services, allowing them to draw upon their own experiences to assist their peers while studying.

Who is eligible to participate in the VA Work-Study Program?

The student must be actively using an approved VA education benefit to pay for their schooling, such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E), or the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program. The VA must also determine that the student can complete their work-study contract without exhausting their education benefits.

What kind of work is available through the VA Work-Study Program?

The duties performed under this program must be 100 percent related to the VA or veterans’ services. Approved work sites can include VA facilities like regional offices, hospitals, and national cemeteries. Many student veterans work at their own educational institutions, typically in the veterans services office, where they might help process VA-related paperwork or provide information to other student veterans.

Other potential work sites include state veterans’ agencies and congressional offices, which assist with veterans’ casework.

How does a student apply for the VA Work-Study Program?

The process begins with the student completing and submitting the Application for Work-Study Allowance. It is highly recommended that the student first finds an approved work site and speaks with a supervisor, as the supervisor’s input is often part of the application review.

Once the application is submitted to and approved by the VA, a contract is created that specifies the maximum number of hours the student can work and the period of the contract, which usually aligns with the academic term.

How are students compensated in the VA Work-Study Program?

Participants earn an hourly wage equal to the federal minimum wage or their state’s minimum wage, whichever is higher. This income is completely tax-free, which substantially increases its value.

If an employer, such as a university, normally pays a higher rate for a similar student position, they may choose to pay the veteran the difference.

Students can also receive an advance payment for up to 40 percent of their total contracted hours at the start of the term. After this initial amount is worked off, payments are typically processed after every 50 hours of completed work.

What is the VA’s Cooperative Training program?

The Cooperative Training, or co-op, program is designed for educational paths where hands-on training in the student’s field of study is a mandatory part of the curriculum. The program structure involves the student alternating between periods of full-time academic study on campus and periods of full-time, paid employment with a cooperating employer.

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What are the eligibility requirements for using VA benefits for a co-op program?

For a student to use VA education benefits, the co-op program must be an official and required component of their degree plan as offered by their school, and the VA must approve it. Certain qualified dependents using VA benefits may also be eligible for co-op training.

What kind of financial support does the VA offer for students in co-op training?

For a veteran on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the VA pays tuition and fees to the school. The student also receives a monthly housing allowance during their enrollment periods, both in the classroom and during the work phases, as well as a stipend for books and supplies.

These VA benefits are provided in addition to the salary the student earns from their co-op employer.

What is the purpose of the VA’s On-the-Job Training and Apprenticeship programs?

These programs provide a direct path to employment, enabling students to learn a specific trade or skill from an experienced professional while being employed and earning a salary. The training takes place at the actual job site rather than in a classroom. The VA supports this by providing a monthly benefit payment directly to the veteran, which supplements the wages they earn from their employer.

Who is eligible to use VA benefits for On-the-Job Training or an apprenticeship?

OJT and Apprenticeship benefits are available to those eligible for a VA education benefit, with the key exception that active-duty service members cannot use these specific programs.

The training program itself must be approved by the VA or a State Approving Agency to ensure it meets established quality standards. These opportunities are available across a wide range of industries, including construction, manufacturing, and public service sectors like law enforcement.

How are VA-approved OJT and apprenticeship programs structured?

These programs are built around a formal training contract that involves the veteran, the employer, and, in some cases, a trade union. This contract defines the skills the trainee will learn. It also spells out the total duration of the training and a progressive wage scale that increases as the trainee gains proficiency.

The learning model is based on mentorship, with the trainee working under the direct supervision of a qualified senior employee or journeyman. Training is competency-based, requiring the veteran to demonstrate mastery of skills before advancing.

How does the VA financially support a veteran during OJT or an apprenticeship?

For those using the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the monthly benefit is a percentage of their applicable monthly housing allowance. During the initial six months of training, the veteran receives 100 percent of this allowance. The payment then decreases in six-month increments as the veteran receives scheduled pay raises from their employer. Post-9/11 GI Bill users also receive an annual stipend for books and supplies.

What is the final outcome of completing a VA-supported OJT or apprenticeship program?

Upon completion of the training program, the veteran earns a nationally recognized job certification or attains journeyman status in their trade. This credential formally signifies that they are a fully qualified professional in their field.

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