ModlrMike said:This is the issue that I'm pondering. I have two years, not counting any extension, to CRA. If I continue to serve I can't access the programme, but I'm not convinced just yet that I want to fully release.
Humphrey Bogart said:Kind of funny how they want to grow the Res Force but can't make an exception for former Regulars ;D
Teager said:Humphrey is it possible in your situation to fully release from reg force get the education benefit and then once approved enrol as a reservist? Enrollment is suppose to be rather quick nowadays anyway.
I believe that's D&B plan on how to get around it unless the policy covers that.
Brihard said:He definitely can. The policy allows reenrolment without penalty.
Its a horribly under funded program that'll run out of money before the next election. I wouldn't be surprised to see it disappear.Cwes said:Does anyone think this program may be clawed back? It looks similar to training an officer in ROTP, but cheaper. But I can't help but get the feeling that it is perhaps too good to be true for the long term. Any thoughts?
Clerk Wannabe said:So far this has gone pretty much as I expected. A complete waste of time.
I applied for the education benefit the day it was available. Didn't hear anything back after a month, it says that the applications can take up to a month so I didn't think much of it and sent in a message asking for a status update and got a stock response basically saying "yeah it'll take up to a month we're working on it just keep waiting".
So I waited another few weeks, got busy with life, and before I know it I'm at 2 months since applying so I send in another message asking for a status update. They reply saying that somehow my application was received but somehow the department that processes the applications was never notified but they'll submit an urgent ticket to get it rectified.
Then I get another message pretty much right away, which was encouraging, but it said "We have received your application and are processing it, which can take up to 4 weeks.
I've asked other members and found that they already got it and are enrolled for semesters this past summer. But now it's too late for me to do the same and I'm going to have to wait till the fall semester.
So yeah another crap show, honestly I have such low expectations for military administration and they always manage to surprise me anyway.
Brihard said:OK, so you at least registered for a course and included that in the education and training plan you submitted to VAC, right? As the program policy states you're expected to?
You don't just apply for funding and they throw cash at you then you apply to school. You're expected to show VAC that you are accepted for / registered in a program or course and that the educational institution is on HRDC's list of educational or training institutions.
Here is the VAC policy on the ETB. You need to read it thoroughly.
http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-us/policy/document/2685
Clerk Wannabe said:No, you apply for eligibility and when you're approved, you do the education plan, then they give you access to the funding.
The paperwork I have from the application I submitted states "An eligibility decision must be made before you can submit an ETB plan".
And from the link you sent me, completion of an ETB is not listed as a part of the eligibility criteria. It states that an ETB must be completed before the start of the PROGRAM, not before eligibility is determined (see para 21). And even if it were a requirement, that would (one would hope) have been a part of the application, which it is not.
Brihard said:I would venture to guess that they are getting more demand for this than expected. I don't think they anticipated a bunch of people taking release specifically to access this benefit... I'd be curious to know what the numbers are.
I don't think they anticipated a bunch of people taking release specifically to access this benefit