KAPOLEI, Hawaii — The Federal Department of Veterans Affairs has approved of University of Hawaii – West Oahu to operate as a training provider under a program that will expand career opportunities for students who are U.S. military service veterans.

What You Need To Know

  • The Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program provides education and training for high-demand jobs to veterans who are unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic

  • Those eligible for the VRRAP can get up to 12 months of tuition and fees, and a monthly housing allowance based on Post-9/11 GI Bill rates

  • VRRAP covers education and training programs approved under the GI Bill as well as Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses that lead to high-demand jobs, as defined by the Department of Labor

  • Nine of UHWO’s 11 certificate programs are now approved for VRRAP benefits

The Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program provides education and training for high-demand jobs to veterans who are unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those eligible for the VRRAP can get up to 12 months of tuition and fees, and a monthly housing allowance based on Post-9/11 GI Bill rates.

“We’re very pleased to be approved as a provider,” said UHWO vice chancellor for academic affairs Jeffrey Moniz. “Becoming a participating VRRAP educational institution fits very well with our growing efforts to address the needs of our veteran students.”

VRRAP covers education and training programs approved under the GI Bill as well as Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses that lead to high-demand jobs, as defined by the Department of Labor.

Nine of UHWO’s 11 certificate programs are approved for VRRAP benefits, including applied forensic anthropology, disaster preparedness and emergency management, gender studies, Hawaiian and indigenous health and healing, health care administration, long-term care, risk management and insurance, substance abuse and addictions studies, and sustainability issues.

“UH West Oahu’s approval as a training provider for VRRAP is an important contribution for the state and the UH system,” said Debora Halbert, UH System vice president for academic strategy. “UH West Oahu has demonstrated their leadership in this area, and I am excited to see this opportunity open up for veterans living in Hawaii.”

According to the UH Institutional Research, Analysis and Planning Office, 75 students attend UHWO on exemptions for military, Hawaii National Guard and reserves. 

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii.