Vocational and Educational Counseling for Servicemembers and Veterans

 

To offer vocational and educational counseling to service members within 180 days of their projected discharge or release from active duty and to veterans within one year from the date of their discharge or release from active duty. This counseling is also available to individuals who are eligible for VA educational assistance including: Chapter 30- All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program; Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment; Chapter 32-Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance; Chapter 33 Post 9/11 Educational Assistance ; Chapter 1606-Educational Assistance for Members of the Selective Service.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
64.125
Federal Agency/Office
Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
C - Direct Payments For Specified Use; K - Advisory Services and Counseling
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2016 Fiscal Year 2015-2017: The number of Servicemembers and Veterans receiving Vocational and educational counseling is not separately identifiable.
Fiscal Year 2017 Fiscal Year 2015-2017: The number of Servicemembers and Veterans receiving Vocational and educational counseling is not separately identifiable.
Fiscal Year 2018 Fiscal Year 2015-2017: The number of Servicemembers and Veterans receiving Vocational and educational counseling is not separately identifiable.
Fiscal Year 2019 In FY19, 1,073 Service members and Veterans received Vocational and educational counseling (FY20 est.: 2,719; FY21 est.: 2,719)
Fiscal Year 2023 Due to an aggressive marketing campaign designed in FY21 to increase utilization, beneficiaries applying for and receiving services continues to increase and is at the highest it has ever been.
Authorization
Veterans Education and Employment Programs Amendments, Public Law 102-16, 38 U.S.C. 3697A
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
Service members must be within 180 days of projected discharge or release from active duty. Veterans must be within 1 year from the date of discharge or release from active duty. For servicemembers, the projected discharge or release from active duty must be under conditions other than dishonorable . For veterans, the discharge or release from active duty must have been under conditions other than dishonorable. This counseling is also available to individuals who are eligible for VA educational assistance including: Chapter 30 - All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program; Chapter 31 - Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment; Chapter 32 - Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance; Chapter 33 - Post 9/11 Educational Assistance; Chapter 1606 - Educational Assistance for Members of the Selective Service.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Service members must be within 180 days of projected discharge or release from active duty. Veterans must be within 1 year from the date of discharge or release from active duty. For service members, the projected discharge or release from active duty must be under conditions other than dishonorable . For veterans, the discharge or release from active duty must have been under conditions other than dishonorable. This counseling is also available to individuals who are eligible for VA educational assistance including: Chapter 30 - All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program; Chapter 31 - Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment; Chapter 32 - Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance ; Chapter 33 - Post 9/11 Educational Assistance; Chapter 1606 - Educational Assistance for Members of the Selective Service.
Credentials/Documentation
Service members must present proof that they are within 180 days of projected discharge or release from active duty. Examples of this proof are a copy of the enlistment contract and a brief written statement from the individual's commander. Veterans must present proof they are within 1 year of discharge or release from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable. An example of this proof is a copy of the individual's DD Form 214. Individuals who are eligible for VA educational assistance must indicate this eligibility and have it confirmed at the VA regional or local office. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87. This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No.A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Obtain VA Form 28-8832, Application for Counseling, from any VA office or regional office, or online at www.va.gov. Complete and submit this form to the nearest regional office. A written statement from an individual requesting vocational and educational counseling is also sufficient. With the application form or written statement, submit proof of prior or pending discharge or release from active duty if VA has not already received this evidence or indicate eligibility for, or current eligibility for VA educational assistance.
Award Procedure
The regional office will notify qualified Individual.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
Not applicable.
Appeals
In the event of a denial or disagreement, a notification letter will advise of applicable review/appeal options, associated filing requirements and time limits.
Renewals
Not applicable.
How are proposals selected?
Contract counselors are selected on the basis of (1) their academic credentials and experience in vocational and educational counseling, (2) their location in relation to the geographic dispersion of available clients for referral, and (3) costs of the services to be provided.
How may assistance be used?
The program provides the counseling services necessary to enable the individual to select vocational and educational objectives. The program also assists the individual to identify the means through which these objectives will be achieved. Counseling may also be provided to aid the individual to cope with personal problems that might interfere with the successful achievement of the educational and vocational objectives. As part of vocational counseling, the program can help the individual to develop an employment plan. This plan directs the individual to make the best use of his or her existing aptitudes and abilities to obtain employment. These services are provided by professionally qualified vocational rehabilitation counselors who are either VA staff members or under contract to VA. To apply for and receive this benefit, service members must be within 180 days of projected discharge or release from active duty. Veterans must apply for and receive this benefit within 1year from the date of discharge or release or release from active duty. For service members, the projected discharge or release from active duty must be under conditions other than dishonorable. For veterans, the discharge or release from active duty must have been under conditions other than dishonorable. This vocational and educational counseling is also available to current beneficiaries of VA educational assistance including: Chapter 30 - All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program; Chapter 31 – Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment; Chapter 32 - Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance; Chapter 33 – Post 9/11 Educational Assistance; Chapter 1606 - Educational Assistance for Members of the Selective Service; to veterans and qualified dependents who are eligible for educational assistance under any of the above programs (Chapters).
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Not applicable.
Auditing
Not applicable.
Records
Not applicable.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Not applicable Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Lump.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
See Appendix IV of the Catalog for Veterans Benefits Administration field offices.
Headquarters Office
VBA, Office of Outreach Transition and Economic Development
810 Vermont Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20420 US
PCPG.VBACO@va.gov
Phone: PCPG.VBACO@va.gov
Website Address
https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/education-and-career-counseling/
Financial Information
Account Identification
36-0137-0-1-702
Obligations
(Direct Payments for Specified Use) FY 22$4,255,946.00; FY 23 est $4,712,942.00; FY 24 est $6,000,000.00; FY 19$6,000,000.00; FY 20 est $6,000,000.00; FY 21 est $6,000,000.00; FY 16$6,000,000.00; FY 18 est $6,000,000.00; FY 17 est $6,000,000.00; -
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Not applicable
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
38 CFR 21.5100; "Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents," VA Pamphlet 80-0-01, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954 . The stock number is: 051-000- 00233-4. 'VA Counseling Can Help You," the VA pamphlet portion of VA Form 28-8832, Application for Counseling, free, is available from any VA office or regional office.
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.

 


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