New York, NY – Fedcap’s Apex Technical School’s top-ranked Culinary Arts program has been approved to accept GI Bill® education benefits, opening the school’s Midtown Manhattan kitchen to veterans, service members and eligible family members who want to train for careers in professional cooking. The approval comes days after Learn.org named Apex the #1 culinary arts school in New York for 2027, and ahead of upcoming classes that begin on December 3 and December 28.

Apex has trained veterans in its skilled trades programs in Long Island City for years, where students use GI Bill® benefits to join the Apex community and become electricians, welders, HVAC technicians and plumbers. Until now, those benefits could not be applied to the Culinary Arts program at Apex’s Midtown East branch campus. 

“When a veteran walks into Apex, they’re joining a school that has trained New Yorkers for the trades since 1961, and a campus where veterans are part of this educational community,” said Steve Markowitz, President of Apex Technical School. “Culinary gives them a next step out of service – embracing discipline, teamwork and performance under pressure – exactly what a working kitchen asks for.”

Students in the Culinary Arts program train in a commercial kitchen at Apex’s Midtown East campus, a branch of Apex Technical School a short walk from Grand Central. The 600-hour program runs 24 weeks on a day or evening schedule and includes a 200-hour externship in a working kitchen. Coursework builds toward a mock restaurant service capstone and prepares students for the NYC Food Handler’s certificate.

The program’s newest class is led by Chef Instructor Youngsun Lee, whose career includes Jean-Georges, Momofuku and Craft. Graduates are prepared for entry-level roles in restaurants, hotels, catering companies and event venues.

At $16,500 before scholarships and grants, Apex’s Culinary Arts program is the lowest-cost culinary program in New York State that is licensed by the New York State Education Department and nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). The program is also approved for Title IV federal financial aid.

For the 2026-27 academic year, which runs from August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027, the Post-9/11 GI Bill® pays an amount for net tuition and mandatory fees for non-college degree programs at the 100% benefit level, with payments sent directly to the school. Students who attend in-person classes more than half time may also qualify for a monthly housing allowance based on the campus ZIP code. VA prorates each of these amounts for students who qualify for less than the full benefit. More information is available from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs here.

Apex trades graduates who have already used the GI Bill® may still have benefits left to put toward culinary training. Post-9/11 GI Bill® entitlement is generally 36 months, and Apex’s 900-hour trades programs can be completed in as little as seven months, which often leaves room for a second program.

The next Culinary Arts classes begin December 3, 2026, on the evening schedule, and December 28, 2026, on the day schedule. Veterans who apply for benefits now can have their Certificate of Eligibility in hand for either start. Prospective students can apply for VA education benefits at VA.gov and bring their Certificate of Eligibility to Apex admissions, where the school’s certifying official will report their enrollment to VA. To schedule a visit to the Midtown East campus, call 212-645-3300 or visit apextech.edu/culinary.