VAC Education funding

Trevge1 wrote:Here’s the link. It’s been around for awhile. I have also talked to case managers about it. I haven’t had a case manager in long time, so I called the Vac line, and they passed me through to who ever was free. I explained that what o wanted and they directed me to this.  
https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/forms/document/594
Here’s the link to the info on short courses.  You have to scroll down until you find it.
https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/education-and-jobs/back-to-school/education-training-benefit

Trevge1 wrote:The whole reason I wrote this, is to ask others their thoughts on what they would do.  Yes I am not looking to rock the boat.  VAC offers courses for people to learn hobbies and other skills.  I am still looking for someone that had gone through this process to see if it is worth it or if it is too risky. I am leaning on the risky side. Which is what I want to avoid. But if it’s easy to take a short course and not have anything expected or any negative attention from VAC, then I’m all for it.  It seems like no one I personally know has gone through anything like this. Which also kinda hints at it being  not a good idea. Lol.  

johnny211 wrote:Unknown Soldier - I agree with you on not messing with ones DEC designation. Call me paranoid. I’ve been Dec for a few yrs. I would have very little trust in asking Vac for any crse. If a Dec Vet wanted to do a small crse, they should do it on the side themselves, or maybe volunteer at something if they can.
  I feel if one involved Vac, the wrong note could go on their file, then if a Vac employee took it the wrong way, that could lead them to relook at yr dec designation. Just my take on it. Personally I’m too fracked mentally and physically to do a crse at this stage, but we all have different goals. VVV...

bigrex wrote:

Unknown Soldier wrote:

bigrex wrote:I'm not sure if those would get approved. Typically, they want you to be working towards something, like a degree, or a diploma. But honestly, sometimes there is no rhyme or reason to what they pay for, and what they won't. I'm assessed at well over 100% and DEC, and I've been told by several doctors that I need to lose weight, but VAC would not help pay for a weight loss program, even one run through the hospital. And because of an approved lower back condition, I cannot lay down flat in bed. But VAC refused to purchase a termper-pedic bed that cost a few thousand dollars. Instead they paid several thousand for a hospital bed, that is barely big enough just for me. Meaning that because of their bureaucracy, I haven't been able to sleep in the same room, let alone same bed as my wife,  for several years.

what do you mean by a weight loss program, .? I have heard of them paying for gym memberships

There is 6 month program run by the Capital Health, that costs $3000. They provide you protein shakes, which is all you are allowed to eat or drink, other than water for the first month. You start with a maximum of 1000 calories per day, and are closely monitored  by a doctor, dietician and a physical therapist every week. And if they suspect that you are not following the rules, you are kicked from the program, and they keep the money.  It's not meant for people who are just trying to get their bathing suit figure back.

Unknown Soldier wrote:

bigrex wrote:I'm not sure if those would get approved. Typically, they want you to be working towards something, like a degree, or a diploma. But honestly, sometimes there is no rhyme or reason to what they pay for, and what they won't. I'm assessed at well over 100% and DEC, and I've been told by several doctors that I need to lose weight, but VAC would not help pay for a weight loss program, even one run through the hospital. And because of an approved lower back condition, I cannot lay down flat in bed. But VAC refused to purchase a termper-pedic bed that cost a few thousand dollars. Instead they paid several thousand for a hospital bed, that is barely big enough just for me. Meaning that because of their bureaucracy, I haven't been able to sleep in the same room, let alone same bed as my wife,  for several years.

what do you mean by a weight loss program, .? I have heard of them paying for gym memberships

Trevge1 wrote:That is terrible. I’ve been assessed the same as you. Lol. I’d be 132 percent if I was able to get it. So VAC has short courses. They are meant for us to be able to find something to do while we are at home.  Here’s what I found on short term courses.
What is a short-term course?

Short-term courses include:

entrepreneurial boot camps,
community school courses such as photography, woodworking, and art classes,
business development workshops and seminars, and
instructor certification courses such as life coach, dance, fitness and yoga.
To be considered for funding short-term courses must:

be provided by a recognized organization, community-based group or individual,
be offered and available to a broad population of Veterans and/or the general Canadian public,
be provided either online or in a public forum,
be publicly advertised and accessible by the general public, and
include information that indicates who provides the course, where it is being offered, how it is being delivered, how much it costs, etc.
Can I take more than one short-term course?

VAC will provide a maximum of $5,217.28 (2020) for short-term courses for personal development. This can be used at different times and for additional courses.

Is there a completion bonus?

Yes. When you complete your diploma, degree, professional designation, or certification for the program that you participated in under the ETB, you may be eligible to receive a one-time taxable benefit of $1,000.

Will I receive a completion bonus for a short-term course?

No. Short-term courses do not qualify for the completion bonus.


So it looks like they are giving me permission to attend full time. But like you said, if I did that they would expect me to go back to work. Which I can’t do.  Sooo I’ll have to ask around and see what others have done.

bigrex wrote:I'm not sure if those would get approved. Typically, they want you to be working towards something, like a degree, or a diploma. But honestly, sometimes there is no rhyme or reason to what they pay for, and what they won't. I'm assessed at well over 100% and DEC, and I've been told by several doctors that I need to lose weight, but VAC would not help pay for a weight loss program, even one run through the hospital. And because of an approved lower back condition, I cannot lay down flat in bed. But VAC refused to purchase a termper-pedic bed that cost a few thousand dollars. Instead they paid several thousand for a hospital bed, that is barely big enough just for me. Meaning that because of their bureaucracy, I haven't been able to sleep in the same room, let alone same bed as my wife,  for several years.