Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31)
The Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program, also known as Chapter 31, provides beneficiaries with tuition, fees, books, and school supplies through payments made directly to the school. You might also receive a monthly stipend.
You’re eligible to apply for VR&E benefits and services if:
If you are a Veteran:
All of these must be true:
- You didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge, and
- You have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% from VA
If you are still on Active Duty:
At least one of these must be true:
- You have a 20% or higher pre-discharge disability rating (memorandum rating) and will soon leave the military or
- You’re waiting to be discharged because of a severe illness or injury that occurred while you were on active duty
If you think you qualify for aid through Chapter 31, apply on VA.gov.
The process for Chapter 31:
- The Chapter 31 counselor will meet with you and design a program to meet your employment needs
- Often, this includes completing a college degree program.
- If approved for higher education, the counselor will require a degree plan known as a Vocational Rehabilitation Academic Worksheet.
- This document can’t be completed until you have been admitted to UMW. You will work with your Academic Advisor to complete the plan, which will include the number of credits required and the expected time frame to complete your degree.
- Prior to every term and after you have registered for classes, you are required to submit a UMW Request for Veterans Benefits Form (RFB).
- Your Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) will then submit a series of Purchase Order (PO) numbers through a third-party vendor system called Tungsten. Your assigned Chapter 31 VRC will also provide you with the PO#. You will need two separate PO#’s. One PO# for Tuition & Fees and a semester parking pass, and a separate PO# for the UMW Bookstore (Barnes & Noble) to buy books and school supplies.
- In-Person: Corporate Barnes and Noble provides a list of names to the UMW Bookstore. You must take your ID to the bookstore and identify as a Chapter 31 student. If you are not on the current list, reach out to the Chapter 31 School Certifying Official. The SCO will assist you.
- Online: Proceed to checkout and select the payment option Financial Aid. In lieu of a student ID number, please use your Bookstore PO#. The VA will only cover ground shipping. If renting a textbook, you must add credit card information to secure the rental. Your card will be charged if you do not return the rental.
- It is suggested that all veterans with active cases who are experiencing difficulties with responses reach out to their assigned VRC via the following email: EVA@va.gov. The communication will go directly to the electronic case file, so even if there is a counselor change, VR&E will get it. If an email is sent to the counselor’s government email, VR&E may not receive it if the counselor has left or been changed.
The main Veteran Readiness and Employment office for most UMW Chapter 31 students is the:
National Capital Regional Benefits Office
1722 I Street NW
Washington, DC 20421
Crystal Baptiste, Assistant VRE Officer, is one of the Supervisors in the D.C. office. She can be contacted at:
Crystal.Baptiste@va.gov
(202) 530-9262 ext. 23230 – primary
(202) 530-9225 – secondary
(202) 530-9162 – NCRBO VRE Front Desk
