Veterans Work-Study Program

Hey all, It's me again. Dropping pearls of wisdom on you. Well, if not pearls of wisdom, maybe food for thought, or at the very least, things that make you go hmmm.

In this edition, I want to talk about making money while going to school. If you are veteran continuing your education or know of one, and want to make a little coin, listen up.

The VA Veterans Work-Study Program can help you earn money while you're enrolled in a college, vocational school, or professional training program. You must be enrolled at least 3/4-time in a college degree, vocational school or professional program AND you're using an approved VA education benefits program to pay for your education or training.

I know you're asking what are these "approved VA education benefits programs" that you speak of? A couple of examples are the GI Bill, Veterans' Education Assistance Program (VEAP), Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E), and Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA), just to name a few.

What did you say? "How much is the pay"? The pay works like this: You will earn an hourly wage the same as the state minimum wage which is currently $16.50. But the caveat is that you can't work more than 25 hours per week. You'll get paid every 50 hours or every other week, whichever comes first. Best of all, the hours are flexible. You work as your schedule will allow.

Lastly, you can get a job at almost any approved facility that works with veterans and the work you do must be entirely related to veterans. Some of the facilities in the area are:

VA Hospital/Clinic

COS/Fresno State

The Veteran Services Office

Tulare Library

Employment Development Department (EDD)

For more information and to apply on-line, see the VA's webpage, http://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/how-to-use-benefits/work-study/, and let the requested facility know that you applied. Or you can call our office at (559) 713-2880.

Side note, I started as a work study while attending Fresno State and worked at the VA Hospital in Fresno, so I owe my whole career to this program.

'Till next time, be good to each other, we're all in this together.

Cecil Webster, the Veterans Services Officer for Tulare County, is a former U.S. Navy Photographer's Mate 3. Contact him at the Veterans Services Office at 3348 W. Mineral King Ave. in Visalia, by phone at 559-713-2880, or by email at TCVSO@tularecounty.ca.gov.