Chapter 31: Veteran Readiness & Employment Program (VR&E)

About

The Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) Program is an employment program, not an education program like the other VA chapters. The Mission of Veteran Readiness & Employment Program is to help Veterans with service-connected disabilities and an employment handicap prepare for, find, and maintain suitable employment. For Veterans with service-connected disabilities so severe that they cannot immediately consider work, VR&E provides services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible

Eligibility and Application Information

1. Apply for Chapter 31 benefits through your VR&E Case Manager or Coordinator: Find a local VA VR&E Employment Coordinator.
2. Review the Chapter 31 Factsheet, Eligibility and Informational overview documents (PDF) at: http://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/links_resources.asp.
3.  Have your VA Case Manager send approval to MVP through the Tungsten System.

4.  Have your VA Case Manager send approval for books & supplies to Barnes and Noble Bookstore for TTU through the Tungsten System.

5.  Read the Chapter 31 Instructions for TTU Students only section below.

Note: the 48 Hour Rule went into effect for students using Chapter 31 on September 21, 2016. This means that Chapter 31 affects use of other VA benefit chapters such as Chapter 30, 33 and transferred benefits as only 48 months are allowed under more than one program of education; however, Chapter 31 is the only benefit that can possibly be extended past 48 total months.

Chapter 31 Instructions for TTU Students only
New/Transfer Students

1. Apply to TTU at: www.ttu.edu, click Admissions and follow the links.
2. If you wish to use additional grants, loans, or scholarships, apply through the TTU Financial Aid Office at www.financialaid.ttu.edu.
3. Next, per instructions in #3 #4 under Eligibility in the list above, have your VA Case Manager send approvals through Tungsten.
4. Notice: VA will never pay for food, travel, or lodging. Contact your Case Manager for questions regarding covered expenses.

ALL CHAPTER 31 STUDENTS-What you must do each semester:

1. For questions regarding your bill, you may contact Sara Carrillo, 1st Contact or H. Williams 2nd contact in the SBS office, 806 742.3272.
   1. Non-Resident students must fill out the In-state Residency Waiver for Students using VA benefits form each semester. Form is on the SBS website or on the MVP website under the Financial Info SBS tab, waiver.
2. Any student desiring a parking sticker should opt for the "tuition charge" payment option when purchasing their permit. (For questions regarding this process, you may contact Vicky Hoeffner, Vicki.hoeffner@ttu.edu in University Parking Services, 806.742.3811).
   1. If you have Disability Plates, fill out another form with Vicki
3. Take a copy of your class schedule to the Barnes and Noble Bookstore on campus. The bookstore will fill your book order for only those classes listed on your current schedule after the previous term has ended
   1. Regular supply purchases such as pens, pencils, paper, etc. can be made as well.
   2. For large purchases such as a computer, etc., please call your Case Manager to gain approval prior to purchase.
   3. If a purchase is unauthorized, you will be responsible for payment to the Barnes and Noble Bookstore on campus.
   4. If a purchase is unauthorized, you will be responsible for payment to the Barnes and Noble Bookstore on campus.
   5. Request that your Case Manager send a Barnes & Noble 1905 approval to the email below.
4. For questions regarding purchases at the bookstore or if you are online only or a student at a campus other than in Lubbock, contact the Textbook Manager, Pamela Herrera, tm211@bncollege.com here at the TTU bookstore in the SUB, 806.742.3816.
5. Notify the MVP department, 1st contact Donald Lane, donald.a.lane@ttu.edu or 2nd Contact Jeremy Sedeno, Jeremy.sedeno@ttu.edu, Room 147 Drane Hall if you drop a class, change your address, phone or email information, take a course at another college or university concurrently while attending Tech or if you withdraw from Tech.

Visit www.mvp.ttu.edu for links to important resources on/off campus.
Contact Trisha Kristinek, Trisha.kristinek@va.gov or Nancy Klemme, nancy.klemme@va.gov or Karen 'Debbie' Peralez karen.peralez@va.gov at the Lubbock VA Clinic or your Case Manager if not in the Lubbock area, with any questions or problems regarding the Chapter 31 program.

Additional General Resources for Chapter 31

• VR&E's 5 Tracks to Employment:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWjc8aYPqqg&feature=youtu.be
• Chapter 36 Educational/Vocational Counseling Application: VA Form 28-8832: https://www.vets.gov/education/tools-programs/education-career-counseling/