Vocational Rehab or GI Bill

D

denmom117

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As I'm preparing for my transition out of the AF, I am looking at all of my options. I know that I can use both the GI Bill and Vocational Rehab (not at the same time) for a total of 48 months. I've already met with a Voc Rehab counselor and qualify for it.

Is there any reason I should start with one over the other? Any insight is greatly appreciated.
 
GI Bill nobody has to approve your plan. Pretty much left up to you to do what you want. If the VocRehab counselor doesn't sign off on your plan, its a no go. You want to be a nurse and the VocRehab counselor thinks its a bad idea it can be awful hard to get that changed. Good luck getting VocRehab to approve a degree in ancient literature or philosophy. They want something that transitions into a career with good prospects.

The rules for VocRehab basically state that if you can go out and get a job with your current disabilities and training, you shouldn't get school paid for. These are the same basic rules for IU. In reality, getting VocRehab to pay for school is a ton easier than obtaining IU, but I don't see how VocRehab couldn't help an IU claim.

VocRehab has no limit on the number of months of training you can get, more than 48 months does take special approval however. GI Bill has a hard cap of 48 months and more than 36 month takes combining multiple programs which is generally not an option. There are those who got their entire law degree paid for by VocRehab, that much schooling won't be an option with the GI Bill.

VocRehab can provide more supportive money, computers, software, lab equipment, other necessary items if you do the paperwork. GI Bill provides a flat $1000 a year for books and miscellaneous, but if you need less, you still get the full amount.

Even if your GI Bill rate is less than 100%, VocRehab can provide full BAH rates.

Its also worth noting that VocRehab has options besides schooling. Job placement, independent living and self employment.
 
From what I know, You cannot use Voc Rehab until you have completely used your GI Bill. So GI Bill would need to be used first. Also, youd need to apply for Voc Rehab with atleast 1 month left in your GI Bill inorder to get the benefits. This is what I was post when I had the same situation.
 
As someone about to transition I can inform you that you can use Voc Rehab right away. They do use your gi bill eligibility months to be able to pay you the post 9/11 housing rates. As stated before getting anything but a traditional degree such as accounting or business can be difficult to get approved. Some advice I received from another veteran was to start on your own using 9/11 bill for a year and then transition over to get extra benefits. They are more likely to approve your plan if they see your serious and getting good grades.
 
af-McRob said:
As someone about to transition I can inform you that you can use Voc Rehab right away. They do use your gi bill eligibility months to be able to pay you the post 9/11 housing rates. As stated before getting anything but a traditional degree such as accounting or business can be difficult to get approved. Some advice I received from another veteran was to start on your own using 9/11 bill for a year and then transition over to get extra benefits. They are more likely to approve your plan if they see your serious and getting good grades.
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There's an excellent e-book out there on the web by Benjamin Krause.

He's a Vet who utilized VA Voc Rehab and they funded him all the way through to his law degree.

So it can be done and his book peels back the layers of this onion so you know exactly what to do, what forms and wording to use, and when to do it.

You must be your own best advocate - and don't expect the VA to know everything, either - half the time you'll know what this program can and WILL do more than they do - especially after you read the e-book.

go to http://www.disabledveterans.org/

Look for the Voc Rehab Kit.

It's just under 20 bucks, you can download the whole thing right away on your laptop - it even comes with sample forms and letters!

It's the best 20 bucks you'll spend for anything else if you're planning on going to school and using VocRehab.

Reading the e-book will open up ideas you never even thought about or knew VocRehab can do!

Reading the e-book will help you to be able to spot all the gold nuggets laying on the ground for you - if you only knew to ask.

A friend of mine got the e-book, read it, made his plans, did all his paperwork, and blew his VocRehab counselor out of his chair. Counselor said he wished every Vet made the effort to put such a good thorough plan together! 60 days later, my friend got approved for almost 30K worth of funding - computer, printer, programs, desk, chair, and on and on. Oh. And of course, his training was paid for in that mix, too.

So dream big and never take "NO!" for an answer when you know there can be a "YES!".

Know the road and the load - read the book - and then go for it!

Create a plan, fill in the forms, know how to overcome any reasonable objections, know the laws and rules, and BINGO!

You're on your way to success!

nwlivewire
 
JashuaCora said:
From what I know, You cannot use Voc Rehab until you have completely used your GI Bill. So GI Bill would need to be used first. Also, youd need to apply for Voc Rehab with atleast 1 month left in your GI Bill inorder to get the benefits. This is what I was post when I had the same situation.
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This is 100% inaccurate.

While those that served post 9/11 and meet the requirements to use Post 9/11 GI Bill, not everyone will qualify for Voc Rehab.

There is no such requirement to use 9/11 before Voc Rehab as they are completely separate programs. 9/11 allows those that qualify to use their entitlement at any college that accepts the program for any degree they want. Whereas for Voc Rehab, there's qualification, training (Orientation) and guidelines that must be met before you're approved for the program. Then you have to give copies of class schedules, send in grades at the end of your semesters and stay on track to complete the program. You have to (vaugly) show the need, in my case, I was a firefighter since 18, all 9 years in the Army, however, now with med separation for ankle injury, I'm not able to continue that career. My associates degrees are in Fire Science. I'm now starting college for Computer Science, and was approved with Voc Rehab, if I wanted to get a degree in say Art, or basket weaving, I probably wouldn't get approved as they look at the career field, growth potential, jobs in the area, requirements for that job, ect. (You do this research and bring it to your second VR&E meeting.) With 9/11, I can get whatever degree I want be it, basket weaving specialist.

Voc Rehab pays way more than 9/11 (Which pays Tuition, BAH, $1000 book stipend), Voc Rehab pays EVERYTHING associated with your approved education (Tests, Parking passes, Certification fees, gives you a laptop with printer, ink and paper, they give you $75 for misc supplies like pens, paper, high lighters. You can even get one time requests such a TI84 calculators if the syllabus specifies it's required for the course)
 
lakerimff said:
This is 100% inaccurate.

While those that served post 9/11 and meet the requirements to use Post 9/11 GI Bill, not everyone will qualify for Voc Rehab.

There is no such requirement to use 9/11 before Voc Rehab as they are completely separate programs. 9/11 allows those that qualify to use their entitlement at any college that accepts the program for any degree they want. Whereas for Voc Rehab, there's qualification, training (Orientation) and guidelines that must be met before you're approved for the program. Then you have to give copies of class schedules, send in grades at the end of your semesters and stay on track to complete the program. You have to (vaugly) show the need, in my case, I was a firefighter since 18, all 9 years in the Army, however, now with med separation for ankle injury, I'm not able to continue that career. My associates degrees are in Fire Science. I'm now starting college for Computer Science, and was approved with Voc Rehab, if I wanted to get a degree in say Art, or basket weaving, I probably wouldn't get approved as they look at the career field, growth potential, jobs in the area, requirements for that job, ect. (You do this research and bring it to your second VR&E meeting.) With 9/11, I can get whatever degree I want be it, basket weaving specialist.

Voc Rehab pays way more than 9/11 (Which pays Tuition, BAH, $1000 book stipend), Voc Rehab pays EVERYTHING associated with your approved education (Tests, Parking passes, Certification fees, gives you a laptop with printer, ink and paper, they give you $75 for misc supplies like pens, paper, high lighters. You can even get one time requests such a TI84 calculators if the syllabus specifies it's required for the course)
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Thank you for the correction. I believe the main question still stands, when are you able to use Voc Rehab over post 9/11? Like I said from my prior posting, I was approved for Voc Rehab due to a BS/MS requirement in my field, but was told that I would need to use my Post 9/11 first being able to use my Voc Rehab benefits. Ie: IF my post 9/11 gets to me 90% completed with my BS or MS, Voc Rehab will supply the additional year. This would only happen if I have already consumed my Post 9/11. Conclusion: They wouldn't let me use Voc Rehab until I have used my Post 9/11 first.
 
Ok, I think I understand your confusion. VOC Rehab uses the Post 911 but Kicks it up to 48 months and 100% if you were only at say 60 or 80%. It also like Lakerimff says provides everything needed for a successful transition into a new career field, while using your post 911 benefits you also receive VOC Rehab services and the higher percentage that accompanies the VOC Rehab. VOC Rehab requires a plan, and you for the most part have to stay within that plan unless you can convince your VOC Rehab counselor that another plan is the better path to employment after completion. I may also add that if you had used your Post 911 Gi Bill prior to the need for VOC Rehab that VOC rehab can act as a stand alone program and pay whatever is needed to achieve your Rehab goals.
 
JefeP said:
Ok, I think I understand your confusion. VOC Rehab uses the Post 911 but Kicks it up to 48 months and 100% if you were only at say 60 or 80%. It also like Lakerimff says provides everything needed for a successful transition into a new career field, while using your post 911 benefits you also receive VOC Rehab services and the higher percentage that accompanies the VOC Rehab. VOC Rehab requires a plan, and you for the most part have to stay within that plan unless you can convince your VOC Rehab counselor that another plan is the better path to employment after completion. I may also add that if you had used your Post 911 Gi Bill prior to the need for VOC Rehab that VOC rehab can act as a stand alone program and pay whatever is needed to achieve your Rehab goals.
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Exactly. Thank you.
 
Explaining the interaction between the two is technical, most counselors simply things by saying you use your 9/11 GI Bill first. Simplifying the explanation in such a way makes it easier to understand two points.

1) If you have 9/11 GI BILL, VocRehab pays at the 9/11 rate. This makes VocRehab look and feel much like using the 9/11 GI BILL.

2) The VA will only pay for a maximum of 48 months of education benefits. That makes using VocRehab lower the amount of GI BILL you can use after 12 months. Voc Rehab is the only education program that allows an exception to the 48 month rule.

The simplified explanation fails to consider a few things. There may be reasons besides the number of months of schooling and the monthly stipend to consider.

1) VocRehab counselors. This is potentially a good thing, as someone to help you through the process of a career goal can be helpful. In practice, this is often cited as a reason to avoid VocRehab, as the counselor can act as a barrier to benefits.

2) Misc school fees. It is possible that $1000 from GI Bill is better, as its always on and needs no extra justification and can potentially be money in your pocket. VocRehab has no limit in covering expenses, so potentially more money, but never money in your pocket, they only reimburse items justified as needed.

3) You do not technically lose the 9/11 GI Bill after using VocRehab, you only lose your ability to access it. This is very important if you transfer benefits. Also important in explaining why you can get 48+ months of the 9/11 stipend.

4) Unemployment benefits. State rules vary, but for Washington state you can draw unemployment while using the 9/11 GI Bill, but cannot while using VocRehab. Why? GI Bill you can say you are going to school while applying for jobs, and will quit school once you get one. VocRehab you have to say you need the school before you can get employed. Unemployment benefits are for people who say they can work right now.
 
This may help explain it a little clearer.

http://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/eligibility_and_entitlement.asp

A Veteran participating in the VR&E Program who qualifies for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits can elect to receive the GI Bill rate of pay instead of the regular Chapter 31 subsistence allowance. In most cases, the GI Bill rate is higher than the regular Chapter 31 rate of pay. To elect the GI Bill rate, the Veteran must have remaining eligibility for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and must formally choose (or “elect”) the GI Bill rate. Your VRC can help you with election. Veterans participating in the VR&E Program who elect the Post-9/11 rate are paid at the 100% rate level for their school and training time, even if their Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility is less than 100%. Additional benefits are also available through the VR&E Program, such as full payment of all books, fees and supplies as well as other supportive services.

Hope this helped you out.
 
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