VET TEC stands for Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses and is a pilot program announced by the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2019. If qualifying veterans are eligible for VA education benefits, they are able to apply for this program, which was designed to be a “fast-track education experience” created to assist veterans get a start into high-tech careers.
Careers targeted by the program include:
- Information science
- Computer software
- Computer programming
- Data processing
- Media application
The training offered by VET TEC is for approved programs by approved providers across the country. Training programs offered may run from 40 hours long to over 600 hours long depending on the area of study with some being offered online and some in-person. Unlike college courses, these programs are likened to boot-camp due to the duration and level of intensity.
Advantages/Benefits of the VET TEC Program include:
- VET TEC requires eligibility for the GI Bill but does NOT use entitlement.
- VET TEC pays a housing stipend similar to the GI Bill (which varies for in-person vs. online study).
- Specific payment parameters are required of all training providers.
HOW TO APPLY FOR VET TECH
To be eligible to apply, all of these must be true:
- You aren’t on active duty or are within 180 days of separating from active duty, and
- You qualify for VA education assistance under the GI Bill, and
- You have at least one day of unexpired GI Bill entitlement, and
- You’re accepted into a program by a VA-approved training provider
To learn more about VET TEC and its pilot status and updates, please click here.