Supporting VR&E Students: A Complete Guide for VASCOs
Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment benefits have unique requirements that set them apart from other VA education programs
Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) students represent a unique population within your VA benefit recipients. Unlike GI Bill students who have significant freedom in choosing courses and programs, VR&E participants are working toward specific employment goals under the guidance of a VA Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC).
Understanding the VR&E program's structure, requirements, and approval processes is essential for VASCOs who want to provide excellent support to these students while maintaining compliance with unique certification requirements.
💼 What Makes VR&E Different
VR&E is not an education benefit—it's an employment benefit. Every course, service, and support provided must directly support the veteran's employment goal as outlined in their Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP). This fundamental difference shapes every aspect of certification and support.
Understanding the VR&E Program
VR&E provides services and support to veterans with service-connected disabilities who need assistance preparing for, obtaining, or maintaining suitable employment.
Eligibility Requirements:
Five VR&E Tracks:
- 1. Reemployment: Return to previous employer with accommodations
- 2. Rapid Access to Employment: Quick job placement without extensive training
- 3. Self-Employment: Start/maintain own business
- 4. Employment Through Long-Term Services: Education/training for new career (most common for students)
- 5. Independent Living: Services to live independently when employment not feasible
Benefits Provided:
- • Full tuition & fee payment (no cap)
- • Monthly housing allowance (subsistence)
- • Books & supplies stipend
- • Tutorial assistance
- • Assistive technology/equipment
- • Employment services & job placement
- • On-the-job training support
The Critical Role of the IWRP
The Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP) is the cornerstone document for VR&E participants. Think of it as a contract between the veteran and VA that outlines the rehabilitation goal and approved steps to achieve it.
What's in an IWRP:
Employment Goal
Specific job or occupation the veteran is working toward (e.g., "Registered Nurse" not just "Healthcare")
Degree/Credential Required
Educational program approved to achieve the goal (e.g., "Bachelor of Science in Nursing from State University")
Approved Courses
Specific courses or course types approved for each term/semester
Timeframe
Expected completion date and milestones along the way
Services Authorized
What VA will pay for: tuition, books, assistive tech, tutoring, etc.
Case Management
Frequency of counselor check-ins and progress evaluations
⚠️ Critical VASCO Rule
You cannot certify ANY course that is not pre-approved in the student's IWRP by their VRC. Even if a course is required for the degree, if it's not VRC-approved, you cannot certify it. The veteran must work with their counselor to amend the IWRP first.
The VR&E Certification Process
Certifying VR&E students requires additional coordination and verification steps compared to GI Bill certifications.
Step-by-Step Certification Process:
Verify VR&E Enrollment
Confirm the student is actively enrolled in VR&E (not just eligible). Check their COE or contact their VRC.
Obtain VRC Contact Information
Get the name, phone number, and email for the veteran's assigned Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. Save this in your records.
Request IWRP or Course Approval
Ask the student for a copy of their IWRP, or contact the VRC directly to confirm which courses are approved for the upcoming term.
Verify Each Course Is Approved
Match the student's enrollment against the IWRP or VRC approval. Every single course must be explicitly approved.
Calculate Training Time
Use the same training time calculations as other chapters. Report exact percentage (no rounding for Chapter 31).
Certify in Enrollment Manager
Select Chapter 31 as benefit type. Enter all course and enrollment details.
Notify Student and VRC
Inform both the student AND the VRC that certification has been submitted. Include submission date and term details.
Common VR&E Challenges and Solutions
⚠️Challenge #1: Course Not in IWRP
Scenario: Student is registered for a required course, but it wasn't listed in the original IWRP or VRC approval.
Solution:
- Do NOT certify the course yet
- Email the VRC explaining the course is required and requesting approval
- Have the student also contact their VRC to request IWRP amendment
- Wait for written confirmation from VRC before certifying
- If approval is delayed past the 30-day deadline, document the situation and explain late certification in Enrollment Manager notes
📞Challenge #2: Can't Reach VRC
Scenario: You've called and emailed the VRC multiple times with no response. Certification deadline is approaching.
Solution:
- • Document your attempts: Save all emails and note phone call dates/times
- • Contact the VRC's supervisor: Ask student for supervisor contact or call main regional office
- • Use Enrollment Manager messaging: Send message through Enrollment Manager system directly
- • Certify with documentation: If truly unable to reach VRC and courses are clearly part of approved program, certify and document your good-faith efforts in notes
- • Inform the student: Let them know they should contact their VRC immediately
🔄Challenge #3: Student Wants to Change Programs
Scenario: VR&E student decides to switch majors or degree programs.
Solution:
This is not a VASCO decision—it requires VRC approval and possibly a full rehabilitation evaluation:
- Immediately inform the student they MUST contact their VRC before making any program changes
- Do not certify courses in the new program without VRC approval
- Explain that program changes may affect their timeline, benefits, and employment plan
- Wait for updated IWRP reflecting new program before certifying
- VRC must determine if new program still meets suitable employment goal
📚Challenge #4: Student Failing or Struggling Academically
Scenario: VR&E student receives failing grades or is at risk of academic probation.
Solution:
- • Notify the VRC immediately: Don't wait for end of term—early intervention is crucial
- • Explore accommodations: Work with disability services to ensure student has needed accommodations
- • Discuss tutorial assistance: VR&E can pay for approved tutoring services
- • Consider course load adjustment: VRC may approve reduced course load to improve success
- • Document everything: Academic struggles may require IWRP modifications
Remember: VR&E's goal is successful employment. VRC will work with student to overcome barriers, but repeated academic failure may result in case closure.
VR&E Best Practices for VASCOs
✅DO:
- • Build strong relationships with your regional VRCs
- • Keep detailed notes of all VRC communications
- • Verify course approval EVERY term (even for returning students)
- • Proactively notify VRC of schedule changes, withdrawals, or academic issues
- • Encourage students to maintain regular contact with their VRC
- • Save copies of all IWRP documents and amendments
- • Report grades promptly at end of term
- • Treat VRC as a partner in the student's success
❌DON'T:
- • Certify courses without VRC approval
- • Assume the IWRP from last term is still valid
- • Make decisions about program suitability (that's VRC's role)
- • Allow students to add courses without VRC approval
- • Ignore communication attempts from VRCs
- • Treat VR&E students exactly like GI Bill students
- • Delay reporting academic problems to the VRC
- • Certify based only on student's verbal assertion of approval
VR&E vs. Post-9/11 GI Bill: Key Differences
| Aspect | Chapter 31 VR&E | Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Employment preparation for veterans with service-connected disabilities | Education benefit for military service |
| Course Approval | VRC must approve every course | Student chooses courses (must apply to program) |
| Tuition Coverage | No cap - full tuition paid | Capped at ~$28,937/year (2024-25) |
| Training Time Rounding | Exact percentage (no rounding) | Round to nearest 10% |
| Less Than Half-Time | Allowed with VRC approval (accommodation) | Allowed but reduced benefits |
| Program Changes | Requires VRC approval and IWRP amendment | Student decision (must be VA-approved program) |
| Books/Supplies | Up to actual cost (with receipts) | Fixed stipend up to $1,000/year |
| Tutoring | Available with VRC approval (VR&E pays) | Limited tutoring assistance available |
| Employment Services | Included - job placement assistance, resume help, interview coaching | Not included in benefit |
Supporting VR&E Students: Your Impact Matters
VR&E students often face unique challenges. Many are navigating service-connected disabilities while pursuing education. They may need accommodations, have medical appointments, or experience setbacks related to their disabilities.
Your role as a VASCO goes beyond certification:
- 💙Advocate: Help students navigate the system and communicate effectively with their VRC
- 🤝Connect: Link students with disability services, tutoring, and campus resources
- 🎓Encourage: Celebrate their progress and remind them that setbacks don't define their journey
- 📋Coordinate: Serve as the bridge between VRC, faculty, disability services, and the student
- ✨Believe: Your support and belief in their success makes a real difference
Yes, VR&E certifications require more coordination and documentation. But the veterans in this program are working to overcome significant barriers to employment. Your diligence, patience, and support play a crucial role in their successful rehabilitation and career preparation. That's worth the extra effort.
Related Resources
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