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.
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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