VR&E FAQs

1. What are the benefits that come with VR&E

   1. There are quite a few, but some of the big ones are:

      1. Full tuition paid for. If your school’s tuition is higher than the most expensive public school in-state tuition, you’ll need a waiver approved to cover the cost of the entirety of your tuition. For example, my school’s tuition is ~$60,000 a year but the highest public school in-state tuition is ~$25,000. I was approved for full tuition coverage as were the other veterans at my medical school.

      2. Housing Allowance. You’ll receive the E-5 with dependents rate.

      3. Books. Technically these are covered, but most medical programs solely use online resources, so I haven’t had this covered.

      4. Testing. VR&E covers testing costs for board exams (e.g. STEP 1, 2, etc.)

      5. Computer. They’ll cover this for programs that require it, which should apply for any medical program. They’ll likely also cover the cost of a keyboard, mouse, and educational software.

         1. Software. Online test prep resources like Boards and Beyond, UWorld, AMBOSS, Osmosis, Sketchy, etc. can be covered. You’ll likely have to get a letter from your school stating that these materials are required for students in your program.

2. If I use VR&E, will it deduct from my GI Bill benefits?

   1. As of this writing (4/12/2023), using VR&E first does not take away from your GI Bill benefits. However, utilizing your GI Bill benefits first will take away from the amount of VR&E benefits available to you. For example, if you use 12 months of GI Bill benefits and then transition to VR&E, you will have 36 months of VR&E benefits to use rather than the full 48 months that you would have qualified for if you had not used any GI Bill benefits. We typically recommend trying to use VR&E first and then use GI Bill benefits when VR&E benefits are exhausted.

3. Does VR&E cover the cost of a computer?

   1. Yes, there is a process for this, and it takes time to get a letter from the school saying you need a computer (with specifications listed), submit the claim, etc., so plan well in advance (likely 1-2 months) of needing the equipment.

      1. You may be told that you only have the option of the computer that they have on hand, which they’ll send you.

      2. Alternatively, you may have the option to purchase your own computer and get reimbursed. I believe VR&E counselors can order a computer that does not exceed a $3,500 limit. Each VR&E counselor is different, so you’ll have to convince them.