Updated
National pathway · Workforce training

Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)

Individual VA employment and rehabilitation planning that may include postsecondary training for eligible veterans.

Free if eligibleSources checked Oct 16, 2026View sources ↓Compare related routes ↓
Veterans & military families · Explicitly servedLearners with disabilities · Explicitly served

At a glance

Free if eligible
What it covers
Depending on your needs and goals, VR&E may provide employment counseling, job training, apprenticeships and postsecondary education or training.
As of Oct 16, 2026 · U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ↗
Income / financial rules
A VA counselor determines entitlement after an evaluation. Services depend on the individual rehabilitation plan rather than a universal cash grant.
As of Oct 16, 2026 · U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ↗
Who to check first
Veterans can apply with a discharge other than dishonorable and a VA service-connected disability rating of at least 10%; a counselor then determines entitlement.
As of Oct 16, 2026 · U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ↗
Application timing
For discharge before January 1, 2013, a basic 12-year period and possible extensions apply. The page says there is no eligibility time limit for discharge on or after January 1, 2013.
As of Oct 16, 2026 · U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ↗
Read official guidanceYou’ll leave FreeCheapEdu. The program makes the eligibility decision.

Check your eligibility

Some items describe alternative routes rather than requirements for everyone. Use the route that applies to you as a preparation checklist; the program makes the eligibility decision.

As of Oct 16, 2026 · U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ↗

How to apply

  1. 1
    Use VA’s official online application and review the route for your veteran or active-duty status.
    As of Oct 16, 2026 · U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ↗
  2. 2
    Attend the initial evaluation with the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and discuss the work goal and needed training.
    As of Oct 16, 2026 · U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ↗

What to watch for

Being eligible to apply is different from being entitled to a specific benefit or degree plan; the counselor makes that decision.
As of Oct 16, 2026 · U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ↗
Prior education-benefit use and any optional GI Bill subsistence-rate election have separate rules. Ask your counselor before planning to combine benefits.
As of Oct 16, 2026 · U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ↗

Common questions

What is the main benefit?

Depending on your needs and goals, VR&E may provide employment counseling, job training, apprenticeships and postsecondary education or training.

As of Oct 16, 2026 · U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ↗
Is there an income limit?

A VA counselor determines entitlement after an evaluation. Services depend on the individual rehabilitation plan rather than a universal cash grant.

As of Oct 16, 2026 · U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ↗
When should I apply?

For discharge before January 1, 2013, a basic 12-year period and possible extensions apply. The page says there is no eligibility time limit for discharge on or after January 1, 2013.

As of Oct 16, 2026 · U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ↗

Sources & verification

Source summaries checked by automated research on the dates below. No human professional review is claimed.

Veteran Readiness and Employment eligibility
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Checked Oct 16, 2026
Read official guidance