Question Period Note: EDUCATION AND TRAINING BENEFIT POLICY

• The Education and Training Benefit was implemented in 2018 and provides full support for the costs of up to four years of college, university, or technical education for Veterans after completion of their service.
• This benefit includes up to $99,156.80 (annually indexed to Consumer Price Index) of formal funding for post-secondary programs.
• To be eligible for formal funding, a program must lead to the completion of a degree, diploma, certification or designation from an educational institution on Employment and Social Development Canada’s Master List of Designated Institutions, and run at least twelve weeks within a fifteen-week period or full-time equivalent.
• A short course funding stream up to $6,197.29 is also available for those who are interested in completing courses or programs of personal interest that do not meet the criteria noted above.
• The Department is currently reviewing program eligibility criteria and stakeholder recommendations to determine any potential program improvements.

VAC created the Education and Training Benefit (ETB) in 2018 to help Veterans successfully transition to post-military life, achieve their education and future employment goals, and better position them to be more competitive in the civilian workforce.
The ETB was implemented in 2018 and includes up to $99,156.80 (annually indexed to CPI) in formal program funding for post-secondary program training that would lead to a degree, diploma, certificate or certification The funds are intended to cover costs such as tuition, required course materials and materials or fees that are part of the program.
A short course funding stream is also available to Veterans who are interested in completing courses of personal interest. This stream of funding includes up to $6,197.29 (annually indexed to CPI) which may be used for short courses designed for self-fulfillment and career or personal development.
The ETB has evolved consistently since 2018, VAC has been positively reactive in accommodating reasonable requests from stakeholders.
• 2019: legislation was updated to make Supplementary Reservists eligible for the benefit.
• 2021: policy revised to include technical education programs of shorter duration under formal program funding. Programs falling into this category are career-focused, intensive, and many involve a combination of classroom and hands-on learning.
Audit & Review
An evaluation of the ETB and the Career Transition Services (CTS) program which was published in October 2022.
• It found that the ETB was meeting Veterans’ expectations, eligibility requirements were appropriate, and the program did not seem to be incentivizing CAF members to release.
• The evaluation recommended that VAC undertake efforts to review the regulated maximum amount available for ETB short courses and consider whether costs of licensing exams and fees should be included.
• VAC conducted internal policy analysis on the matter and is considering options in the context of various recommendations made by stakeholders, including the VAC Ministerial Policy Advisory Group.
The ETB regulations were reviewed in 2024 as part of VAC’s Regulatory Stock Review Plan 2024-2026. No amendments were recommended.

QUICK FACTS & FIGURES
Uptake and Expenditures .
• VAC completed 2,455 eligibility applications in 2024-25. 96% of the applications were completed within the 4-week service standard.
• 1,726 Veterans received ETB payments in 2024-25.
• The forecasted ETB expenditures for 2024-25 were $32.9M.
Eligibility
• ETB funding may be provided to a Veteran who has:
(a) served for a total of at least six years in the regular force, in the reserve force or in both; and
(b) was honourably released from the Canadian Forces on or after April 1, 2006 or was transferred from the regular force or another subcomponent of the reserve force to the Supplementary Reserve on or after that date.
Formal Programs
• Formal program funding of up to $99,156.80 (annually indexed to CPI) may be provided for post-secondary program training that would lead to a degree, diploma, certificate or certification.
• The funds are intended to cover education costs such as tuition, required course materials as well as materials or fees that are part of the program.
Short Courses
• A short course funding stream of up to $6,197.29 is also available to enable Veterans to complete courses that relate to personal interest and career development.
Evaluation and Reviews
• In 2022, VAC’s Audit and Evaluation completed an evaluation which found that the ETB is working well.
• Eligibility was determined to be appropriate, and based on Veteran feedback, it was determined to be meeting expectations.