VA Chapter 36: free career and school counseling

What it is

Chapter 36, also called Personalized Career Planning and Guidance (PCPG), is free educational and career guidance from VA. VA lists career counseling, help choosing training or a field of study, help with barriers, resume support and goal planning.

Who qualifies

• A service member within 6 months of discharge (the law says within 180 days) under conditions other than dishonorable.
• A Veteran discharged under honorable conditions within the past year.
• Also eligible: a Veteran or dependent who can use a VA education benefit.

Federal law (38 U.S.C. 3697A) sets the one-year and 180-day windows.

What it gives you

This is counseling, not a payment. VA describes it as free.

How to apply

1. Apply online at VA.gov using the apply page below, or
2. fill out VA Form 25-8832 and mail it to Personalized Career Planning and Guidance, Department of Veterans Affairs, P.O. Box 5210, Janesville, WI 53547-5210, or
3. take the form to a VA regional office.

Deadlines and traps

• The window is 6 months before discharge to 1 year after. Apply inside it.
• Some VA pages call the form 27-8832; the official form is VA Form 25-8832. Use the VA.gov apply link if unsure.

Where to call and where to go

Phone

• 1-800-827-1000 VA toll-free number printed on VA Form 25-8832.

Official pages

• VA: education and career counseling (Chapter 36)
• Apply online (VA.gov; loads with JavaScript)
• VA Form 25-8832 (PDF)