VAC Form 1537: Fillable PDF
Application for Education and Training Benefit
Veterans Affairs Canada
Apply for the Education and Training Benefit for veterans pursuing post-secondary education.
Reviewed July 2026
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How it works
- 1
Download the form. Save the official PDF to your device.
- 2
Open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader and fill in each field. Browsers show a placeholder page for this form type.
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Save and submit the completed form following the official instructions.
VAC Form 1537 is the application for the Education and Training Benefit (ETB), a Veterans Affairs Canada program that helps eligible veterans pay for post-secondary education and other training after their military service. The form starts VAC's review of your eligibility and your planned studies.
The 1537 is published as a dynamic XFA PDF, which browsers cannot display. Download the official file from this page and complete it in Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer, or apply online through My VAC Account, which Veterans Affairs Canada lists as an application option.
What VAC Form 1537 is used for
The Education and Training Benefit supports veterans who want to study or retrain after service. Depending on the current program rules, funding can apply to formal programs at recognized institutions, such as degrees, diplomas, and certifications, as well as shorter career and personal development courses.
The application asks about your service and your education plans so VAC can assess:
- Whether your release and length of service meet the program criteria
- The program or course you intend to pursue and the institution offering it
- How the funding you request fits within your available benefit amount
Who uses VAC Form 1537
The benefit is designed for veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces who completed a qualifying period of service and were released in a qualifying way, with longer service generally unlocking a larger education benefit. There are also time limits on how long after release the benefit can be used.
The exact thresholds and deadlines are set by Veterans Affairs Canada and can change, so confirm the current rules on the VAC website before planning your studies around the benefit.
How to fill out VAC Form 1537
Open the downloaded PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader and have your service details and study plan ready:
- Identification: name, date of birth, contact information, and VAC file number if you have one
- Service information: your periods of service and release details
- Education plans: the institution, program or course, and the dates you expect to study
- Declaration and signature: print, review, sign, and date the completed form
How to submit the form
Apply online through My VAC Account or send the completed paper form to Veterans Affairs Canada using the submission details listed on the current form and the VAC website.
Apply well before your program starts, since VAC needs time to assess the application and confirm funding. Keep copies of everything you submit, including any documents from your school.
Frequently asked questions
The 1537 is an XFA dynamic PDF. Web browsers and most PDF apps cannot render XFA, so they show a please wait placeholder instead of the form. Download the file and open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader on a computer.
Depending on the current program rules, the benefit can support formal post-secondary programs such as degrees, diplomas, and certifications, and it also includes a stream for shorter career and personal development courses. Veterans Affairs Canada publishes the current coverage details.
Eligibility is generally based on completing a qualifying period of Canadian Armed Forces service and the nature of your release, with longer service tied to a larger benefit, plus time limits on using it after release. Check the current criteria with Veterans Affairs Canada, since the rules can change.
Yes. Veterans Affairs Canada accepts Education and Training Benefit applications through My VAC Account. The downloadable 1537 PDF is the paper alternative and must be filled in using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Apply early enough for VAC to make a decision before your studies begin, and coordinate with your institution on enrolment timing. VAC can confirm how approvals and payments line up with academic terms.
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