Benefit Information

Chapter 31: Vocational Rehabilitation Training Program

Chapter 31 provides tuition and fees, a monthly subsistence allowance, and a book/supply stipend for veterans who have service-connected disabilities pusuing degrees for reemployment. For more information on eligibility for benefits under Chapter 31, visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/VOCREHAB.

• Tuition and fees: After the student registers for classes and requests enrollment certification, a pending credit will be placed on the student's account in the amount expected to be paid by the VA, which will protect your schedule past Winthrop's payment deadline. Student Financial Services will invoice VR&E for your tuition and fees after the drop/add deadline.
  
• Subsistence allowance: The monthly allowance is direct paid to the student by the VA approximately 30-45 days after certification or the start of term, whichever is later, and is paid on the first of the month for the previous month's enrollment. (Example: Allowance is paid October 1 for the enrolled month of September.) Partially enrolled months will result in a prorated payment. (Example: Fall semester ends Dec. 10, so the VA will pay 10 days of allowance on Jan. 1.)
• Book/supply payment: You will be assigned a VR&E counselor, who will upload your authorization into Tungsten for the bookstore and Student Financial Services to invoice VR&E for your books/supplies and your tuition/fees payments.
  

Benefit eligibility is determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs, not by Winthrop University.

Step 1: Apply through the VA for Chapter 31 VR&E

Review step-by-step instructions to apply for Vocational Rehabilitation.

Step 2. Request to use your benefits at Winthrop.

For information on using your benefits at Winthrop for the first time go to the request benefits page.

The VA benefits coordinator submits student enrollment certification to the VA, which reviews term enrollment and direct-pays the monthly subsistence allowance within 30 days.

Step 3. Protect your schedule with Student Accounts Receivable

After you have submitted your certification request along with your VR&E counselor's email address, the VA benefits coordinator will request that Student Accounts Receivable protect your schedule until the VA sends your tuition and fees payment. If you have questions about your bill, please contact Student Accounts Receivable at 803/323-3377 prior to the fee payment deadline. Failure to do so will result in the student's classes being dropped. 

Step 4. Stay up to date

Let the Veterans Benefits Coordinator know if you make any changes to your enrollment, including schedule changes, withdrawing from classes, and major/minor changes. Failure to keep up-to-date records can result in an overpayment by the VA, which could result in you owing a large balance to the VA and/or Winthrop University.