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Using Your VA Education Benefits for Entrepreneurship Training
Are you interested in starting your own business? Would you like to learn how to get started? Or are you a current business owner who wants to learn how to boost your small business operation?
As a service member or veteran you now have an opportunity to use your education benefits to learn how to start or enhance a small business.
Entrepreneurship training allows eligible service members and veterans to use VA educational benefits to take courses offered by the Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) or the National Veterans Business Development Corporation, better known as the "The Veterans Corporation." Individual courses must be specifically approved for VA purposes to use your benefits.
Am I Eligible?
You may receive reimbursement for approved entrepreneurship courses if you're eligible for any of these VA Education Programs:
- Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty
- Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve
- Veterans' Educational Assistance Program
- Section 903 of Public Law 96-342
NOTE: Unfortunately, Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) participants are not eligible for this benefit.
To find out if you might be eligible under any of these programs, check our Internet site at www.gibill.va.gov.
Owning or operating your own business will not disqualify you from using your benefits for these courses. In fact, you can use your benefits more than once to take approved entrepreneurship courses.
How Do I Find a Course?
Both of the qualified organizations offer courses around the country. To locate course offerings near you, view training opportunities on the web or contact the organizations directly.
NOTE: You should contact VA at 1-888-442-4551 or the local training sites where you plan to attend to see what courses are approved for VA purposes.
How Do I Apply
You can get and submit an application for benefits (VA Form 22-1990) on-line, or submit a printed copy.
Just go to www.gibill.va.gov and click on Electronic Application Form to apply online, or Education Forms to download a copy of the application. If applying on-line, we must receive a copy of the signature page with an original signature to process your claim for benefits. Applications may also be requested by call the VA at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551).
Printed applications should be submitted to the VA regional processing office that has jurisdiction over the state where you will train. Mailing addressses are provided on the application or on the GI Bill web site under Contact Information.
Who Can I Contact if I Have Questions?
For questions concerning your VA education benefits, contact the VA at www.GIBILL.va.gov and click on Ask a Question. You can also reach us by phone at 1-888-GIBILL-1 or, for the hearing impared, at 1-800-829-4833.
Veterans in Business
Additional assistance for veteran entrepreneurs is available through the Department of Veterans Affairs' Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE).
CVE helps veterans:
- Open a Business
- Expand a Business
- Understand Federal Buying Rules
- Find Business Opportunities
To find out more about the services offered by CVE, visit them on the web at www.vetbiz.gov or call 1-866-584-2344.
They Stand Ready to Serve You
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