Recent legislation now provides older, unemployed veterans with 12 months of educational assistance when they enroll in a community college program that trains for a high demand career. Because there is a limit to the number of participants, Wharton County Junior College is urging qualified veterans to apply now.
Richard Hyde, the college’s director of financial aid, said the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) is available to qualified, unemployed veterans who are at least 35 but not yet 60 years old, and who are not eligible for other VA education benefit programs. Details are available at benefits.va.gov/vow.
Each semester WCJC serves hundreds of military veterans and their children, thanks to the availability of educational assistance benefits. Some of the most popular programs include the Post-9/11 GI Bill, also known as Chapter 33, and Texas Senate Bill 639, also called the Hazlewood Exemption. Information about these programs may be found at gibill.va.gov and collegeforalltexans.com.
In addition, WCJC may grant credit for military training or coursework, if the material covered in the military school is comparable to the material taught in the WCJC course. Individuals who wish to have their military transcript evaluated for possible credit must contact the Registrar’s Office to initiate the review process. WCJC department heads or division chairs will make the final determination on whether credit may be granted and for which course or courses. For additional information, please visit wcjc.edu and type “military credit” into the search box, or call the Admissions and Registration office at 800.561.9252, ext. 6303.