Fiscal Year 2016: Fiscal Year 2015-2017: The number of Servicemembers and Veterans receiving Vocational and educational counseling is not separately identifiable. Fiscal Year 2017: Fiscal Year 2015-2017: The number of Servicemembers and Veterans receiving Vocational and educational counseling is not separately identifiable. Fiscal Year 2018: Fiscal Year 2015-2017: The number of Servicemembers and Veterans receiving Vocational and educational counseling is not separately identifiable.

Uses and Use Restrictions

The program provides the counseling services necessary to enable the individual to select vocational and educational objectives.

The program also assists the individual to identify the means through which these objectives will be achieved.

Counseling may also be provided to aid the individual to cope with personal problems that might interfere with the successful achievement of the educational and vocational objectives.

As part of vocational counseling, the program can help the individual to develop an employment plan.

This plan directs the individual to make the best use of his or her existing aptitudes and abilities to obtain employment. These services are provided by professionally qualified vocational rehabilitation counselors who are either VA staff members or under contract to VA.

To apply for and receive this benefit, service members must be within 180 days of projected discharge or release from active duty.

Veterans must apply for and receive this benefit within 1year from the date of discharge or release or release from active duty.

For service members, the projected discharge or release from active duty must be under conditions other than dishonorable.

For veterans, the discharge or release from active duty must have been under conditions other than dishonorable.

This vocational and educational counseling is also available to current beneficiaries of VA educational assistance including: Chapter 30 - All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program; Chapter 31 ? Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment; Chapter 32 - Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance; Chapter 33 ? Post 9/11 Educational Assistance; Chapter 35 - Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance; Chapter 1606 - Educational Assistance for Members of the Selective Service; Chapter 1607 - Reserve Educational Assistance Program and to veterans and qualified dependents who are eligible for educational assistance under any of the above programs (Chapters).

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Service members must be within 180 days of projected discharge or release from active duty.

Veterans must be within 1 year from the date of discharge or release from active duty.

For servicemembers, the projected discharge or release from active duty must be under conditions other than dishonorable .

For veterans, the discharge or release from active duty must have been under conditions other than dishonorable.

This counseling is also available to individuals who are eligible for VA educational assistance including: Chapter 30 - All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program; Chapter 31 ? Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment; Chapter 32 - Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance; Chapter 33 ? Post 9/11 Educational Assistance; Chapter 35 - Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance ; Chapter 1606 - Educational Assistance for Members of the Selective Service; and Chapter 1607 - Reserve Educational Assistance Program.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Service members must be within 180 days of projected discharge or release from active duty. Veterans must be within 1 year from the date of discharge or release from active duty. For service members, the projected discharge or release from active duty must be under conditions other than dishonorable . For veterans, the discharge or release from active duty must have been under conditions other than dishonorable. This counseling is also available to individuals who are eligible for VA educational assistance including: Chapter 30 - All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program; Chapter 31 ? Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment; Chapter 32 - Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance ; Chapter 33 ? Post 9/11 Educational Assistance; Chapter 35 - Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance; Chapter 1606 - Educational Assistance for Members of the Selective Service; and Chapter 1607 - Reserve Educational Assistance Program.

Credentials/Documentation

Servicemembers must present proof that they are within 180 days of projected discharge or release from active duty. Examples of this proof are a copy of the enlistment contract and a brief written statement from the individual's commander. Veterans must present proof they are within 1 year of discharge or release from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable. An example of this proof is a copy of the individual's DD Form 214. Individuals who are eligible for VA educational assistance must indicate this eligibility and have it confirmed at the VA regional or local office. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87. This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not applicable.

Environmental impact information is not required for this program.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No.A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Obtain VA Form 28-8832, Application for Counseling, from any VA office or regional office, or online at www.va.gov. Complete and submit this form to the nearest regional office. A written statement from an individual requesting vocational and educational counseling is also sufficient. With the application form or written statement, submit proof of prior or pending discharge or release from active duty if VA has not already received this evidence or indicate eligibility for, or current eligibility for VA educational assistance.

Award Procedures

The regional office will notify qualified Individual.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Authorization

Veterans Education and Employment Programs Amendments, Public Law 102-16, 38 U.S.C 3697A.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Not Applicable.

Appeals

Available through special board. Average time to process an appeal is 622 days. In the event of a denial, claimants are advised of appeal rights and procedures at the time of notification.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program. Matching requirements are not applicable to this program. MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Not applicable. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: lump sum.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Not Applicable.

Audits

Not Applicable.

Records

Not applicable.

Financial Information

Account Identification

36-0137-0-1-702.

Obigations

(Direct Payments for Specified Use) FY 16 $6,000,000; FY 17 est $6,000,000; and FY 18 est $6,000,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Not applicable.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

38 CFR 21.5100; 'Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents,' VA Pamphlet 80-0-01, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954 . The stock number is: 051-000- 00233-4. 'VA Counseling Can Help You,' the VA pamphlet portion of VA Form 28-8832, Application for Counseling, free, is available from any VA office or regional office.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. See Appendix IV of the Catalog for Veterans Benefits Administration field offices.

Headquarters Office

Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration 810 Vermont Ave., N.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20420 Phone: 202-461-9600

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Contract counseling psychologists are selected on the basis of (1) their academic credentials and experience in vocational and educational counseling, (2) their location in relation to the geographic dispersion of available clients for referral, and (3) costs of the services to be provided.