Chapter 31 - Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)

If you have a VA disability rating of 20% or greater, you could be eligible to have VR&E pay for your degree without using any of your Post 9/11

The program, provides services to eligible Veterans with service-connected disabilities to help them prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment or achieve independence in daily living.

Things to point out:

• This program does not use up any of your other VA education benefit eligibility.
• It can provide greater benefits than VA education benefits.
• VR&E is an Employment Program, that can use education benefits as a way to assist the Veteran in becoming job ready. It is not just another VA Educational Benefit. 

A veteran may be eligible for VR&E (Chapter 31) benefits if they:

• Are or will be discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.
• Have received a service-connected disability rating of 20% or greater.

An eligible veteran generally has 12 years from the date he/she is notified of entitlement to VA compensation to use her/his Chapter 31 benefits. The VA may approve an extension of time and/or length of training in certain cases.

How to apply

Step One

To apply for VR&E benefits go to the va.gov website and complete the application, you will be contacted by your closest Regional VA for an interview.

Step Two

If you are eligible for an evaluation under the Vocational Rehabilitation program, you must meet with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC). If the VRC determines that you are eligible, you will continue counseling to develop a plan to address your rehabilitation and employment needs.

You and your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor will work together to:

• Determine your skills, aptitudes, and interests
• Identify employment/independent living services options
• Explore labor market and wage information
• Identify physical demands and other job characteristics
• Narrow vocational options to identify a suitable employment goal
• Select a program leading to an employment or independent living goal
• Develop an individualized rehabilitation plan to achieve the identified employment/independent living goals

You will need to prepared for your interview.  The VA will send you a list of documents they need, take them.

Be prepared to sell yourself, your career goals, and why you need to complete your educational plan to achieve your goals.

Once your VR&E benefits have been approved, your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor sends an authorization form to the university so that you may receive benefits.

Step Three

The Veteran Certifying Officials will process the authorization and send a copy to the OSU Bookstore and to the Business Office.

Step Four

The OSU Bookstore will have your name on a list, allowing you to get your books and supplies.

In order to request your books and supplies from the bookstore online, follow these instructions.

The Business Office in the Kerr Administration Bldg will issue a receipt to be submitted to Parking Services for a parking pass.

For more information about VR&E Benefits, please visit the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service web page or call the VA toll free at 1 (800) 827-1000.