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Quick question. I started classes under VR&E on May 31st and am wondering when I should expect my stipend check, roughly. End of the month, I take it? I called the veterans benefits hotline and sat on hold for what seemed like a decade before giving up on that route.
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Jun 8, 2011 18:47
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Vasudus posted:Yes, 3+ years of AD time is 100%. Good news is that at 10 years AD time, you can transfer your time to dependents if you so choose. This is something I've been curious about. I had 4 years active time, 3 of which went to SLRP, with a year to post-9/11. Since I'm in voc rehab, can I transfer my post 9/11 benefits to my wife for her grad school program? If so, can she use it while I'm receiving voc rehab?
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Jun 22, 2011 08:05
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renraku posted:Voc Rehab isn't even supposed to find you jobs? Yes, they are. Well, it's an option. They offer job placement, but mostly focus on getting you trained/educated so they can place you in a career later, not some bullshit $8/hr job. If you take a job outside of what they can scrounge up, they're cool with that too. Dude's getting railed by someone at the VA.
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Jun 23, 2011 17:51
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The voc rehab process is pretty simple, and no, the counselor does not control your class schedule. They are sticklers for you meeting your goals, though. The process takes a bit of time, a couple of months. Get an application from here: http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-28-1900-ARE.pdf Fill that out and send it in. After 3-6 weeks you'll get a call or letter for an appointment with a counselor. You'll need to watch a 30 minute video (complete snooze-fest) and take some computerized tests, then you'll discuss your options with the counselor. After that, you and the counselor will set some goals, discuss the nature of the benefits, and you'll get a heap of paperwork. You'll take said paperwork and go through the registration process at school, talk to the vet counselor there, and you'll have another VR&E rep appointment once that's all taken care of (mine was about 45 days after my initial appointment). From then on, you'll have one meeting per semester with your VR&E counselor, or at least a phone call. They will contact the vet rep at your school and the rest is taken care of by that person. It's relatively painless compared to other poo poo through the VA. I sent my app to the VA in late February, had my first meeting at the end of March, second meeting in the second week of May, and started classes on May 31st. E: And yeah, Vasudus, you're right about countering a disability. I was in a union electrician program and VR&E refused to do anything to help me with it since it would be on track with destroying my back (my disability). When I heard that and they said 'free college', I quit the electrician program the very next day and applied to the local comm college. Haven't looked back since. CRUSTY MINGE fucked around with this message at 01:29 on Jul 4, 2011 |
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Jul 4, 2011 01:24
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rockamiclikeavandal posted:
Use the GI Bill. If you get serious halfway through and run out, apply for voc rehab again for another 12 months of benefits.
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Jul 21, 2011 09:16
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JediHampster posted:I was also a very stubborn guy and wouldn't take the medical discharge and instead tried like hell to pass PT so I could go overseas and therefore my disability rating was given to me by the VA after I got out (I obviously failed the run). This right here is why it is so important to have a VA exit physical instead of the standard exit physical given by the post hospital/sick call. All it takes is strolling into the VFW rep's office on post when you're clearing, take all of your medical records (make copies beforehand, at least two), and if I remember right (it's been 5 years) you'll give the originals to the VFW rep with your claim paperwork (they give you a sheet to turn back into records). One difference, aside from what Vas said, is that you stand a good chance of seeing a civilian doctor instead of a VA/military doctor for your physical. A VA rating has to come from the VA, a service rating generally comes from someone outside of the VA, but contracted out by the military. For all the hosed up things wrong with my back, I got a whopping 10% service connected. That's with needing a cane and recently my right leg going numb (similar to what you feel when your foot falls asleep during a long poo poo). loving hell, I need to get re-rated. CRUSTY MINGE fucked around with this message at 13:16 on Aug 5, 2011 |
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Aug 5, 2011 13:12
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Any new guidance on the stipend change-over for Voc Rehab? Somehow avoided a semester meeting with my counselor and she didn't know what was up a few weeks ago.
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Aug 24, 2011 00:56
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What about early August days in summer classes, will those be credited to September like the last few days of the month? Same for VR&E? Any word on the stipend change?
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Sep 1, 2011 04:29
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Yeah, last time I talked to her she had about as much guidance on the issue as you do. That was a few weeks ago, so I'll call and bug her again tomorrow.
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Sep 1, 2011 23:06
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Found this: http://www.military.com/education/content/gi-bill/vocational-rehabilitation-and-employment-vre.html quote:Begining October 1, 2011, those who are eligible for both Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (chapter 31) benefits and Post-9/11 GI Bill (chapter 33) benefits to choose the Post-9/11 GI Bill’s monthly housing allowance instead of the chapter 31 subsistence allowance. So that's one answer. Now I get to go on the enjoyable quest of finding out whether I get the full rate or a percentage of that since I had three years applied to SLRP. Realistically, I expect the government to say, "Sure! You'll get the full rate!", only to get a letter in the mail next summer saying I was overpaid and they're going to rape my bank account.
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Sep 2, 2011 00:23
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Vasudus posted:
Quoting ya for the nth time. Spoke to my counselor today, just need to run in and sign some form tomorrow. Anyone else on VR&E should consult your counselor, as it at least doubles the current housing stipend. I'll know the form number tomorrow. No word on how my SLRP/Post-9/11 ratio will play into it, if at all (probably not, from what I gather).
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Sep 8, 2011 00:06
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Happen to have 10% service connected (physical in place of ETS physical) or 20% rating by the VA (done after ETS)? You could do exactly what I'm doing. Voc Rehab pays 100%. Tuition, books, necessary supplies (expensive calculators) about $100~ for supplies if you go all spring, summer and fall semesters. The 60% will translate over to your BAH option (in place of old Voc Rehab stipend rate). Don't have the rating? Well poo poo, enjoy. I took SLRP to pay off trade school loans, thinking I'd work that the rest of my life, and real college never crossed my mind.
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Sep 20, 2011 07:41
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Ha, yeah, I didn't exactly go in expecting anything. The letter they sent you probably says "show up as you would for an interview and be prepared for blah blah blah". I'm pretty sure I went in wearing DCU cutoff shorts and a raggedy t-shirt. Though if my test scores didn't come up as high as they did, I probably would've been laughed out of the office. Go comfortably. You'll watch a video (20-30 minutes) that explains what Voc Rehab will cover (if it's the same one I saw, you'll watch a story about a barber). After that they'll throw you in front of a computer and have you take a few tests. These are to determine your basic skills and preferences. Math, reading, logic, etc, and they're not difficult (math is pretty basic, nothing elaborate). Expect the testing time to take 30-45 minutes. Once you're done, the counselor will print your scores, sit down and explain what they mean to you. This is when they will go over what (based on your scores and interests) they will cover as far as training, school, etc. If you're on your way to a degree already then you're a step ahead of others. You'll set goals for education, future employment possibilities (just pull jobs related to your degree off indeed.com), and set a deadline for completion (which is flexible). I'm in the midst of my gen eds at a feeder CC for an engineering program at the local university. My completion date is set for 12/2015, though it may go a little longer than that. From what I've heard (but not confirmed), the program will be there for me until I get my PE license. That aside, it's a great program. You'll only have to meet with your counselor once a semester (if even that), and the fact that books and supplies are covered completely is awesome. Between summer and fall, I've racked up $1200-1300 in books/supplies, plus another $70 they gave me for misc poo poo like notebooks, pens, etc. So yeah, even if you go in looking like a dumbass (as I did), you can still come out ahead.
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Sep 20, 2011 19:24
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Roving Reporter posted:Everything has been smooth so far, plus all books and a MacBook Pro for next semester. I mean the VA literally has an expense account at our campus bookstore, WTF. Wait, what? Is Voc Rehab handing out macbooks now? Not that I currently own or use apple products. E: and yep, having VR&E books stipend is the poo poo. gently caress paying for anything. Wait, is that how they're setting you up with a macbook? CRUSTY MINGE fucked around with this message at 22:15 on Sep 23, 2011 |
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Sep 23, 2011 22:10
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Is that dependent on a major, something they ask if you'll need or something you have to ask for? I can see them buying laptops if you don't already have one and are majoring in computer science or something, but not just buying students macbooks and ipads on a whim without validating it.
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Sep 23, 2011 22:34
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Huh. I knew they'd buy computers if needed, but ipads and apple products in general are something I never suspected they'd go along with. A laptop, yes, but tablets? Seemed like a stretch. Then again, the local county school system gave my wife a macbook and ipad (she's a teacher), so maybe I've been ignoring the validity of using an ipad for educational purposes.
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Sep 23, 2011 22:58
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Been sitting and waiting on my certification to go through at 60% so I can shuffle paperwork over to my VR&E counselor for a bump in my stipend. Got the "it's going to be a while" letter a few weeks back. I'm assuming this is going to be a process longer than the 4-6 weeks I was initially told (as it's been six weeks already). Yay. At least the small back pay check will be nice.
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Nov 3, 2011 19:04
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Just got confirmation today from my VR&E counselor that my certification finally went through for Post 9/11 BAH/subsistence. Apparently since I'm chapter 31 and not 33 I can draw 100% BAH, instead of drawing 60% if I was on 33 because of the whole '3 years went to SLRP' poo poo. I get the feeling I'll be getting a letter in 6 months telling me that no, I was not entitled to that amount and yes, you can expect to see that withheld/drawn from your account shortly. It would just be the icing on the cake of awesome of getting the government to pay for two separate education paths if it works out like I was told.
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Nov 19, 2011 06:20
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Roving Reporter posted:
I don't have PMs but you can reach me at awade101 at gmail.
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Nov 19, 2011 19:57
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My Voc Rehab subsistence allowance just changed over today to BAH, got back pay for the difference back to the beginning of the semester. Which is a goddamn good thing because the tension spring on my garage door split in half this morning. Now it smells like bagged mulch and weed. Still, goodbye credit card.
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Dec 3, 2011 02:08
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Oh hell yes I love the feeling of a cleared credit card. Fucker's already cut up. Wifes' card is going after tax returns, then my car is getting traded in on a Kia Soul (WHY AM I PLANNING ON MORE DEBT!?!?!?!?). Turns out I have a home warranty (since I bought my house this year) and a coupon covering a service fee ($60), so garage door is getting fixed for free. Still, that back pay showed up at the right time. After the mortgage payment we were going to be stretched pretty thin. Trying to convince my brother to get in on his education benefits since he got canned for bitching out a customer at work (no unemployment).
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Dec 3, 2011 17:40
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You're eligible. 3 years of active duty service nets you 100% for 36 months. This was covered in the OP. OP posted:
Actually, section 4. CRUSTY MINGE fucked around with this message at 21:05 on Dec 6, 2011 |
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Dec 6, 2011 21:01
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Which reminds me (and my awful short term memory), evidently if you take VR&E, SLRP time doesn't count against the amount you receive in BAH. For me it's a difference of about $550 a month. Should someone find themselves in that position again.
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Dec 6, 2011 23:15
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SquirrelyPSU posted:Then I sit around for 12 months and roll into UW as a 29 year old junior There's nothing wrong with that. I'm a 29 year old freshman. Better late than never. Also, don't worry so much about waffling. Hell, this time last year I was in the NJATC IBEW apprenticeship program. Before I hosed my back up and they only landed me 6 weeks of work in 8 months, since they were taking in non-apprentice labor for apprentice positions (COCK SUCKERS). gently caress, I've bounced around job to job for the past 5 years and this is the first time I've attempted college outside of my old trade school (which now has a horrible reputation since it was bought up by Lincoln Tech). I've worked everything from a porn shop clerk to blasting consultant, and I knew then that without a degree I was pretty well boned in the future, but kept putting it off. A step into most any college is better than slaving it out in the job market with a HS diploma or GED. Especially when you're getting paid to go.
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Dec 16, 2011 05:26
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Unemployment varies state to state, as does the enforcement of job hunting and such. In Tennessee, all you have to do is claim that you spent 20 hours a week looking for a job, which you don't have to do since they can't prove it, and no one is going door to door asking people about it. In other states you might get a call from the unemployment office asking how much time you've devoted and how many applications/CVs you've submitted (doubtful, considering how many people are unemployed right now). Just bullshit whoever asks you anything, because they know how awful the job market is, and they're not likely to give you any grief over it. However, should you take a job and claim underemployment, be ready for them to play the pay comparison game. I recently got hosed over by the state due to my lovely record keeping and their inability to use my correct address for timed (extremely short) correspondence. I'd get letters the day, or day after, a response was due because of that poo poo. Just had to cut a check for $200~ to reimburse the fucks for time I was supposedly 'overpaid on unemployment'. And I never overestimated my work hours or pay, they're just taking advantage of Home Depots' lovely record keeping.
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Dec 17, 2011 17:57
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But Voc Rehab will line you up with interviews, help you with a resume, and try their damnedest to get you a job. There's a tax break offered for companies to take Voc Rehab participants so it's like a welcome mat for future employers to give you five minutes of their time and throw you an interview. Post-9/11 does not do that, obviously.
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Dec 19, 2011 02:31
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Anyone looking to put their education to work flipping breakfast foods?
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Dec 27, 2011 06:25
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That's in Arkansas, for reference.
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Dec 27, 2011 17:31
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Christ I wish I could leave the south. My wife has me trapped, surrounded by in-laws, ensuring that we will never leave. 
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Dec 28, 2011 07:14
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Yeah, I'm up to 255, I don't need to do that. I'll just keep smoking  .
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Dec 28, 2011 08:40
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Know anything about VA work study? Finally got ahold of my VA hospital human resources office (bitches wouldn't answer the phone all month) and all they told me was bring: - DD214 - Voc Rehab acceptance letter - Copy of class schedule - Some document signed by the VA rep at school confirming my good standing Anything else I need to add to that list?
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Dec 28, 2011 21:16
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Okay, I've got a recent one laying around so I'll add that to the pile. I don't know what they're going to have that relates to mechanical engineering (probably maintenance) but I plan on just filling whatever gap they can toss me in that is close to my major. Also, is there a drug test? I seem to remember reading that there was not, but I'll be pissing hotter than a volcano for the next few months so I might as well know before going in and being surprised.
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Dec 29, 2011 06:03
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Honestly, I'm kinda hoping for a chair jockey phone answering gig so I can soak up work study time to do homework. I'm not going to quit my night job at the bar, as that's only a night or two a week (and it's weed money), and I actually like cooking short order poo poo. Good to hear on the drug test front, though. I definitely do not want to piss in cups any time soon. Is VA work study only while school is in session or do they keep you on through the breaks/summer?
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Dec 29, 2011 06:41
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Gah, that's alright, I'll save up for the off-time. I'll be in summer semesters for the next few years anyhow, so it won't be that bad.
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Dec 29, 2011 07:42
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Yes, voc rehab is the loving poo poo. No pissing around waiting on book money, a little extra cash to stock up on supplies, an extra 12 months of education benefits, etc. I loving love it. Got my paperwork for work study today, filling it out and dropping it off tomorrow. I'm assuming there's an interview process but I won't know anything about that until tomorrow. It's definitely a non-sensitive position, so no drug test is likely. Also met one of the regular employees from the engineering department there and he said I'd probably be sitting behind a desk for what time I'm there. gently caress yeah, homework time.\ E: On top of that, ran into a guy from my battalion in Iraq while hunting down physical therapy. Small loving world. CRUSTY MINGE fucked around with this message at 23:21 on Jan 5, 2012 |
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Jan 5, 2012 22:41
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How long did it take you to go from turning in your paperwork and actually getting your position? Also, gently caress yeah, engineering. I've been told there are days where the engineers at my hospital just haul dirt from one parking lot to another.  
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Jan 6, 2012 05:36
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Thanks Roving, any info is useful. Didn't think the process would be that long, but that's cool, gives me time to start getting other poo poo fixed. There's not really a reason to switch back to Post-9/11 if you get picked up for voc rehab. VR&E gives you so much more than Post-9/11, and all you have to do is meet with a counselor once a semester and pass your classes. If you're going to juggle your balls instead of study, take Post-9/11. If you want everything paid for and are serious about getting your degree, take VR&E if you're eligible.
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Jan 6, 2012 20:33
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nevermind
CRUSTY MINGE fucked around with this message at 18:47 on Jan 14, 2012 |
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Jan 11, 2012 21:10
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Vasudus posted:If you start in Spring you have a maximum of 1,000 dollars split over 24 credit hours to be taken before August 1st. So if you're doing 15CR in the Spring, and take 9CR over the Summer, you will cap it. If you take under 24 credit hours in that time period, anything remaining is lost. Unfortunately, they don't just cut you a check for 1k without strings. poo poo like this is exactly why it's so much nicer being in VR&E. Let this serve as a reminder, if you have 10% service connected/20% VA disability, get into Voc Rehab now. No bullshit cap on books/supplies for credit hours and you can get a book voucher from your cashiers' office weeks before classes start. There is literally no reason not to take VR&E if you're eligible, unless you only plan on dicking around in college and not seriously working on a degree.
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Jan 21, 2012 07:17
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Sarah posted:
I don't think you can work between enrollment periods, but I'm not sure as I'm still waiting to hear back about my SF85.
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Jan 21, 2012 07:56
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