GI Bill Apprenticeship and OJT Program
Real money, real training
The following will guide you on the use of the GI Bill On-the-Job Training and Apprenticeship Program and explain the new 2006-2007 payment rates - effective 1 October 2006.
If you are a veteran or currently in the guard or reserve the On-The-Job Training (OJT) Program offers you an alternative way to use your VA (G.I. Bill) education and training benefits. The following is a summary of these G.I. Bill alternatives.
When you are trained for a new job, you can receive monthly training benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in addition to your regular salary. This means that you can receive up to $913.75 a month ($262.65 for Reserve/Guard) tax-free, on top of your regular salary! That's over $14,000 in cash benefits over two years, for training in an OJT or apprenticeship training program.
VA pays veteran GI Bill participants on a scale depending on the amount of time they are enrolled in the program. For example the program pays $913.75 a month for the first six months of training, $698.75 for the second six months of training and $483.75 for remaining training.
VA pays GI Bill Selected Reserve participants on a similar scale but at the following reduced
rates; $262.65 a month for the first six months of training, $200.85 for the second six months of
training and $139.05 for remaining training.
Qualifying Jobs
To qualify, your job must meet the following criteria:
- You must be supervised at least 50 percent of the time.
- Job training must lead to an entry-level position. (Management training programs do not qualify.)
- You must be a full-time paid employee - not on commission.
- Your training must be documented and reported.
- You cannot have previous experience job experience in that field.
- You must be recently hired (within one to two years).
- The job must require at least six months training to become fully trained.
- The employer may be private, local or state government.
