Next Mission Scholarship

Looking for a VET TEC approved program?

If you searched for VET TEC approved schools, VET TEC technology training, VET TEC data analytics, VET TEC web development, VET TEC digital marketing, or VET TEC CompTIA certification, here is what you need to know before going further.

VET TEC is a Department of Veterans Affairs program that funds technology training at approved providers. Under the original pilot program, DWC was an approved VET TEC training provider. Veterans used VET TEC benefits to enroll in our certificate programs at no out-of-pocket cost, and DWC was proud of what those veterans accomplished.

VET TEC 2.0, reauthorized under the DOLE Act in January 2025, changed the eligibility rules for approved providers. Under the new framework, non-accredited schools offering fully online programs were excluded from approval. DWC falls into that category. We are not on the VET TEC 2.0 approved provider list and cannot accept VET TEC benefits at this time.

This was not a performance issue. Our program quality, graduate outcomes, and employer placement rates were never in question. The change was statutory — it affected a category of providers, not specific schools — and we had no recourse.

What VET TEC Offers That We Cannot Match:

• Full tuition paid by the VA with no out-of-pocket cost
• Monthly housing allowance while enrolled full time
• Available at approved in-person and residential providers

What VET TEC 2.0 Requires That Many Veterans Cannot Meet:

• Full-time attendance — you generally cannot maintain employment while receiving the housing allowance
• Training at an approved in-person or residential provider, eliminating most online options
• Navigating limited approved provider availability with waitlists in many technology fields
• Deduction of GI Bill entitlement at one month per month of full-time VET TEC training

If VET TEC 2.0 is available to you and works with your schedule and location, pursue it. The VA’s approved provider list is the right starting point. If it is not accessible to you — because you cannot attend full time, because approved providers are not in your area, because you have already exhausted your GI Bill entitlement, or because VET TEC approved programs in your target field are full — the Next Mission Scholarship was designed for exactly this situation.

DWC is also an approved provider under WIOA workforce training grants, which may fully cover tuition for qualifying veterans through their local American Job Center.

If You Do Not Meet the Income Criteria

We want to make sure every veteran gets connected with the right funding, not just the funding DWC offers. If your individual income is below $30,000 or above $75,000, the resources below may be a better fit.

If Your Income Is Below $30,000:

Veterans in this situation often qualify for fully funded training with no out-of-pocket cost at all. These programs are worth exploring before paying anything.

VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31) — Chapter 31, also called VR&E, provides vocational training, education, and employment support for veterans with service-connected disabilities or other qualifying conditions. If approved, Chapter 31 can cover full tuition, fees, books, and a monthly subsistence allowance. Apply for Chapter 31 here. Check your Chapter 31 eligibility here. DWC will provide a formal letter of support for your Chapter 31 application including program details, labor market data, and occupational outcome information. Contact us if you are pursuing this route.

WIOA Individual Training Accounts — DWC is an approved provider under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Veterans are a priority population under WIOA and may receive a training voucher that covers full DWC tuition. Contact your local American Job Center or the Colorado Workforce Center to begin an eligibility assessment.

VET TEC 2.0 Approved Providers — If your income is below $30,000 and you are seeking free technology training, an approved in-person VET TEC 2.0 provider may be your best path. The VA’s approved provider list covers technology training in computer programming, data processing, computer software, media application, and information sciences.

GI Bill Comparison Tool — Compare approved schools and programs using your GI Bill benefits. This tool shows which programs are approved, estimated costs, and housing allowances available by school and program type.

eBenefits VA Benefits Portal — Manage your VA education and employment benefits, view your entitlement status, and apply for programs in one place.

If Your Income Is Above $75,000:

The Community Heroes Discount provides 40 percent off standard tuition for all veterans regardless of income or time since discharge. Climb Credit financing is available for the remaining balance. This discount is available on all DWC certificate programs.

How Climb Credit Works

For the six longer programs, the 20 percent remaining after the Next Mission Scholarship is financed through Climb Credit, a student lending company that specializes in financing career-focused training programs. Unlike traditional lenders that evaluate borrowers primarily on credit history, Climb Credit also considers the return on investment of the specific program, including graduate employment outcomes and expected salary ranges.

Approval is fast. Most applicants receive a decision within minutes. A soft credit check during the initial application does not affect your credit score.

Once approved, Climb Credit pays DWC directly. You make monthly payments to Climb Credit, not to DWC. DWC has no role in billing or collections after enrollment.

Two payment options are available:

Consistent monthly payments: Fixed monthly payments for 36 months beginning after enrollment. No deferred interest.

$20 per month during training: Pay just $20 per month during your active program enrollment, then transition to full monthly payments for the remaining 30 months. This option keeps your payments extremely low while you are in training and building new skills.

Apply to Climb Credit here — you can complete the application before or at the same time as your DWC scholarship application.

Rates shown are based on 13.99% APR as published on DWC’s payment plan page. Actual rate depends on individual credit profile and Climb Credit underwriting.