The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) Retraining Grant provides financial assistance to recently unemployed or underemployed veterans who are retraining for new employment. Eligible veterans may receive up to $3,000 per year, for a maximum of two years, based on financial need.
Who Can Apply?
To qualify, applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
Unemployed Veterans
- Must have been involuntarily laid off or discharged (not due to willful misconduct) within one year prior to the application date.
- Must have been employed for at least six consecutive months in the same job or occupation before becoming unemployed.
- At least one day of that employment must have occurred within the year before applying.
Underemployed Veterans
- Must have annual income from employment below federal poverty guidelines.
- Must have experienced an involuntary reduction of income within the year before applying.
Eligible Training Programs
- Must be enrolled in a technical education program or an on-the-job training (OJT) program that can be completed within two years and leads to employment.
- Four-year college or university programs do not qualify.
- Training must be at a Wisconsin technical college or a private occupational/trade school approved by the Wisconsin Educational Approval Board (EAB) that does not offer four-year degrees.
- For on-the-job training programs, WDVA pays the grant directly to the employer on behalf of the veteran. Employers or schools may be required to verify satisfactory progress.
Grant Limitations
- Veterans may receive up to two retraining grants but not within the same year.
- A retraining grant cannot be combined with another WDVA education grant for the same period.
Retraining Grant Fact Sheet
View the Retraining Grant Fact Sheet (WDVA 2469).
How to Apply
For Technical Education Programs
Complete the Retraining Grant Application (WDVA 2019).
For On-the-Job Training Programs
Employers must submit the OJT Retraining Grant Application (WDVA 2039).
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