Qualifying for the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program GI Bill®
You may be eligible for Chapter 31 benefits if you meet the following criteria:
Active-Duty Service Members
- Have or will have an honorable discharge
- Obtained a VA memorandum rating of 20 percent or more
- Participate in the Integrated Disability Evaluation System
- Have an injury or illness that prevents you from performing military duties
- Need vocational rehabilitation services (determined by VR&E)
Veterans
- Have received an honorable or other than dishonorable discharge
- Have a VA service-connected disability rating of:
- 10 percent with a serious employment handicap, or
- 20 percent or more with an employment handicap
- Are determined by VR&E to need rehabilitation services
How Is Entitlement Established?
You are entitled to services if:
- you have a 20 percent service-connected disability
- you have an employment handicap.
Service members participating in IDES are presumed entitled.
If your service-connected disability is only 10 percent, you must have a serious employment
handicap to be eligible. A Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor will work with you
to determine entitlement.
Additional Details
Learn more about Chapter 31 benefits.
Process and Documentation
Your Certification of Enrollment will be sent to Muskogee VA Regional Processing electronically through the VA:
- up to 120 days prior to the first day of class.
Documentation requirements:
- Complete VA Form 28-1905, which indicates the period, program and place of training approved by your case manager.
- Provide a Letter of Acceptance into a University of South Carolina Columbia academic program.
- Complete an Enrollment Certification Request.
- Attend a Chapter 31 Orientation by the Office of Veterans Services.
Your Certification of Enrollment will be sent to Muskogee VA Regional Processing electronically through the VA:
- up to 120 days prior to the first day of class.
Documentation requirements:
- Complete VA Form 28-1905, which indicates the period, program and place of training approved by your case manager.
- Provide a Letter of Acceptance into a University of South Carolina Columbia academic program.
- Complete an Enrollment Certification Request.
- Attend a Chapter 31 Orientation by the Office of Veterans Services.
- A copy of your academic transcript from my.sc.edu.
Your Certification of Enrollment will be sent to Muskogee VA Regional Processing electronically through the VA:
- up to 120 days prior to the first day of class.
Documentation requirement:
- Unexpired VA Form 28-1905 on file
- Complete an Enrollment Certification Request.