Any Veterans in the Pre-Vet Forum?

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vetsquared

vetsquared

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Hi all! I am a veteran and I was wondering if there are any other veterans floating around this forum.

I’d like to get a sense of which schools are particularly veteran friendly. Like, does your veterans office make you do all the GI Bill paperwork, or do they do that themselves? If GI Bill payments are delayed like they were a few years ago, does your school hold tuition payments until the government gets their stuff together or do they make students pay tuition immediately? What is the general perception of veterans/military personnel on your campus? That kind of stuff.

I’m also wondering if anyone on here has used CHOICE Act benefits or VR&E. I am entitled to 100% GI Bill so I can apply for VR&E (Chapter 31), but based on what I’ve heard, I feel like it might be a struggle to convince the VA I’m unemployable with a BS. If anyone here has successfully used VR&E to pay for veterinary school, I would LOVE to hear how you did it! If I am accepted for the class of 2025, I will be within 3 years of my discharge date, so I should also be entitled to in-state tuition by the CHOICE Act in case VR&E doesn’t work out, so I’m also looking for anyone who has successfully navigated this. Thanks!

(Sorry to everyone who isn’t military and has no idea what that paragraph is talking about lol)
 
Me, @Teepster87, definitely a few more but I can't remember off hand.

Many states offer in-state tuition even if you are farther out from your discharge date - if you use VA benefits at all, they will classify you as an in-state student. Illinois state schools are required to because of a state law, VMCVM does at the veterinary school but I don't think it's a state wide requirement. If you're interested in going somewhere, it's definitely worth googling or asking the school (I'd ask both the vet school directly and the veteran's office).

Everywhere I've used GI Bill benefits (3 schools - Master's, post-bacc, DVM), you just do a certification (basically that you're enrolled and that you're a full time student) and then the veteran's office does everything else. Most vet schools are at large state institutions, so should have quite a few veterans and veterans offices to go along with them.

Theoretically you are supposed to pay tuition on time at my school (VMCVM), but if you don't there's no consequence really during the semester that you're in. It impacts your ability to register for classes for the next semester and order transcripts, but we don't register for classes ourselves the first two years here and 3rd year competitive electives are done by lottery, not first come first serve registration so... meh.

I don't think they paid mine out until like November of my first year because I did the paperwork super late. It had essentially zero impact on my life other than not receiving BAH for almost an entire semester and then getting back pay. As long as you submit your paperwork on time, VMCVM will put an anticipated scholarship amount on your account and that will count as a payment as far as your registration and stuff is concerned. You can also borrow loans if needed for housing or whatever to float you until your benefits process and then return them (this is what I did first semester).

Also, Academic Affairs here is excellent for everyone with a weird circumstance so they'd definitely square you away if needed by overriding the potential hold on your registration or getting it removed. That's not so much a veteran friendly thing as it is just having a good administration thing.

I can't really speak to the veteran friendliness of the campus as a whole. It seems like it is and that there's a good community if you want to partake, but I'm not really interested so I don't really interact with other veterans (except to make fun of Teep for eating crayons).
 
Not a veteran, but used my father's GI Bill for part of my tuition and benefits at NCSU. It was pretty painless even when things were slow on the government's side - had to ping student services to release my money once or twice, but they did it quick and without concern as soon as the situation was understood. Main campus has a big VA office.
 
I am retired Air Force. I can speak to some of your questions.

My experience at Iowa State has been pretty good. They treat veterans well and I have never had any problems with other students or faculty because of my service. The VA certification process is usually pretty painless and I don't have to do much. I am currently having some difficulties with them for 4th year, but that has to do with clinics not coinciding with normal terms. I can let you know how it works out once I get it sorted. As for the tuition, the school never had a problem waiting for it to work through the system. Loans would usually distribute before the government paid up and the school would hold those funds until they actually owed me a refund, so plan accordingly.

I left the service with 0% disability, so a lot of the extra educational benefits don't apply. I also wouldn't expect much from VR&E. I already feel like I am in uncharted waters dealing with 4th year. Clinics are just different enough that none of the regulations are a good fit and I am trying to get them to use my benefits without over or undercharging me.

I also wouldn't hold out a lot of hope for getting in-state consideration as an out of state student. Yes, the GI Bill should force them to accept in-state tuition rates if you are accepted. That is a big if, given the larger pool of out-of-state students and the fact that those students will pay more. Your best bet will always be applying to an in-state school if you can as the acceptance rates are usually dramatically higher then they are for out-of-state. (Anecdotal evidence - UNL/ISU combined program 40% acceptance rate for Nebraska students, CSU at the time I was applying was 25% in-state and 10% out-of-state.)

I have to head in for a path/necropsy practical. Let me know if you have more questions and I'll try and answer them.
 
I'm applying this year and plan on using my father's Post 9/11 GI Bill. Definitely reach out to each school's VA office, and they should be able to answer your financial questions or point you to the right vet school department. Cornell offers IS tuition to anyone eligible for VA benefits, and they have a Yellow Ribbon program within the vet school that covers the remainder of tuition and fees (since Cornell is private, GI Bill doesn't cover full IS tuition). Florida will still charge you OOS tuition, but they offer an OOS fee waiver for anyone using benefits, so that covers everything. This might all apply to you differently as a veteran rather than a dependent, but the schools have been really great about answering my financial questions, so definitely contact them!
 
My husband is career military and I'm using his GI Bill to pay for vet school. I'm only in my first year but everyone in Virginia Tech's VA office has been a pleasure to work with. It was a super easy process 🙂
 
Thanks for the tags.

I'll make an actual information containing post when I've got a bit of time tonight. Probably after the kids go to bed.


I used up all but 17 days of my gi bill benefits during undergrad. Those 17 days got me one semester of tuition paid for. Then I ended up getting accepted into VocRehab.
If you don't need to use it, I'd personally stay with the Post 9/11. VRE is more of a pain in the ass than it's worth IMHO.
 
Also @britzen , don't hate because you can't experience the joy that a fresh 24 pack of Crayola's can bring to your palette.


Back to the actual topic of the thread: I used my GI Bill benefits almost completely up at community college and undergrad. When I was looking at vet schools, I really targeted my applications to schools that would grant in state status to veterans. If you're using the gi bill ,or any other benefit chapters (31,33,35) I believe schools mandated to charge you in state prices. Since I knew I wouldn't have much left, I didn't want to take my chances with getting 1 semester of in state and 7 OOS. Of the schools I looked at before my application cycle, I think it was Michigan, Mississippi, and maybe Virginia that granted in state to veterans. But this was 6 years ago (holy **** has it already been that long), so please due your own digging to find the most up to date information.

I think the school I attended, The Michigan State University, was pretty veteran friendly. The vet school especially is pretty cognizant of veteran student requirements now as well. I didn't have much association with any of the student veteran groups though. Like britzen said, if I wanted to sit around jerking each other off reminiscing the good old days I never would have left the Marine Corps.

I believe, at least at MSU, that once you are classified as a veteran using benefits, you don't have a hard date set for tuition payments. I don't think the VA ever paid on time for me, but I never faced any kind of penalty from the registrar's office because of it. I also had the issue that RM did with enrollment dates not reflecting the dates that I was on clinics too. I actually got a direct payment as a "scholarship" from the CVM for the amount of days stipend I missed out on because the semester days didn't accurately reflect the actual days I spent while on clinics. The really went the extra miles for me on that.

VRE is all about finding employment that you're suited for. I'd had a few odd jobs that were veterinary related during and after undergrad that served as my base of experience. They make you take a like personality test to find what jobs would be suited for you. I believe I got 3 specialties in vet med out of the 10 results it shoots out for you. Then, I told my counselor during my initial consult/evaluation that my employment goal was as an entry level position as a veterinarian. By clearly defining you goal you make it harder for them to deny you.

If I missed anything in that stream of thought that you want answers to, please let me know. Or if you've got any other questions in the future
 
Teepster87 said:
Also @britzen , don't hate because you can't experience the joy that a fresh 24 pack of Crayola's can bring to your palette.
Click to expand...

An acquired taste to be sure. I hear the red ones are pretty good though.


Teepster87 said:
if I wanted to sit around jerking each other off reminiscing the good old days I never would have left the Marine Corps.
Click to expand...

Phrased like a true Marine :laugh:
 
Teepster87 said:
VRE is more of a pain in the ass than it's worth IMHO.
Click to expand...

Wow, that's interesting. Granted I've heard what a PITA it is, but I guess I thought in the end it would be worth it. I used a couple months of my GI Bill paying for part of my post-bacc so I still have most of my entitlement, plus the additional 9 months I could apply for due to being in a STEM field. So worst case I just stick with that lol.

Michigan is definitely one of my top schools due (in part) to their veterans benefits and it sounds even better knowing that there is a supportive environment. I fully understand my chances of getting into an OOS school are low low low, but if there is a chance of going to a school for a similar cost as my IS that I like better, I feel like it's worth the couple hundred bucks to apply. Right now I'm applying to all the schools that either offer in-state tuition for veterans regardless of red tape or that offer unlimited Yellow Ribbon funding. Crossing my fingers someone bites!
 
ResoluteMike said:
I am retired Air Force. I can speak to some of your questions.

My experience at Iowa State has been pretty good. They treat veterans well and I have never had any problems with other students or faculty because of my service. The VA certification process is usually pretty painless and I don't have to do much. I am currently having some difficulties with them for 4th year, but that has to do with clinics not coinciding with normal terms. I can let you know how it works out once I get it sorted. As for the tuition, the school never had a problem waiting for it to work through the system. Loans would usually distribute before the government paid up and the school would hold those funds until they actually owed me a refund, so plan accordingly.

I left the service with 0% disability, so a lot of the extra educational benefits don't apply. I also wouldn't expect much from VR&E. I already feel like I am in uncharted waters dealing with 4th year. Clinics are just different enough that none of the regulations are a good fit and I am trying to get them to use my benefits without over or undercharging me.

I also wouldn't hold out a lot of hope for getting in-state consideration as an out of state student. Yes, the GI Bill should force them to accept in-state tuition rates if you are accepted. That is a big if, given the larger pool of out-of-state students and the fact that those students will pay more. Your best bet will always be applying to an in-state school if you can as the acceptance rates are usually dramatically higher then they are for out-of-state. (Anecdotal evidence - UNL/ISU combined program 40% acceptance rate for Nebraska students, CSU at the time I was applying was 25% in-state and 10% out-of-state.)

I have to head in for a path/necropsy practical. Let me know if you have more questions and I'll try and answer them.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the information, that's good information to know that there may be issues with clinics not lining up with traditional tuition disbursement timelines. I guess since I come from an area that isn't particularly military-friendly it's a bigger concern of mine how people are treated, so I'm glad to hear you haven't had any issues. It looks like the general consensus is that VR&E is a bottomless pit of despair and bureaucracy so I'm not putting a lot of stock into that option haha
 
vetsquared said:
Thanks for the information, that's good information to know that there may be issues with clinics not lining up with traditional tuition disbursement timelines. I guess since I come from an area that isn't particularly military-friendly it's a bigger concern of mine how people are treated, so I'm glad to hear you haven't had any issues. It looks like the general consensus is that VR&E is a bottomless pit of despair and bureaucracy so I'm not putting a lot of stock into that option haha
Click to expand...

It looks like the way the school is going to handle it is just adjust my semester timelines a bit to ensure that I am full time. There will be breaks where I am actually in class and not getting the housing allowance, but there will also be times where I am not in class and will get it. It ends up using the same number of days from my benefits and seems to be the simplest solution.

Here are the Codes of Federal Regulations that cover things if you need them in your fourth year.

CFR 21.9720.b.(2) ( 38 CFR § 21.9720 - Certification of enrollment. ) Covers normal certifications for people on normal semester system.

Code of Federal Regulations 21.4275 ( 38 CFR § 21.4275 - Practical training courses; measurement. ) governing practical training. See also 21.4275(f).

Neither one is a great fit, but as long as your administration comes up with a solution that appropriately uses your benefits go with whatever one works best.
 
ResoluteMike said:
It looks like the way the school is going to handle it is just adjust my semester timelines a bit to ensure that I am full time. There will be breaks where I am actually in class and not getting the housing allowance, but there will also be times where I am not in class and will get it. It ends up using the same number of days from my benefits and seems to be the simplest solution.

Here are the Codes of Federal Regulations that cover things if you need them in your fourth year.

CFR 21.9720.b.(2) ( 38 CFR § 21.9720 - Certification of enrollment. ) Covers normal certifications for people on normal semester system.

Code of Federal Regulations 21.4275 ( 38 CFR § 21.4275 - Practical training courses; measurement. ) governing practical training. See also 21.4275(f).

Neither one is a great fit, but as long as your administration comes up with a solution that appropriately uses your benefits go with whatever one works best.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for figuring this out for the rest of us! Sorry you had to do it the hard way. Hopefully, one day, I will be so lucky to need this info!!
 
I just found this post and am a retired veteran in this year's application cycle. Anyone still here?
 
Are any of y'all in school right now?
 
Did you use the GI Bill? I have my entire GI Bill to use so hoping one of the state schools will give me an OOS acceptance.
 
I'm also still lurking around! I'm a current first year and I'm using Vocational Rehab instead of GI Bill. I'm guessing based on your previous post that you don't have an in-state school? If that's the case and you want to use GI Bill, I would definitely look into the schools that give veterans in-state tuition (keep in mind that you'll still be considered OOS for admissions purposes). The GI Bill has a cap on the amount they'll pay for OOS tuition, but they will pay 100% of in-state tuition even if in-state tuition is more than the cap. This is the one time when the government will actually pay the cost that's higher, so if you can get into one of those schools, it significantly lessens your financial burden. If you are interested in going to Voc Rehab route, they pay 100% no matter what the cost, as long as you can convince them. I just went through this whole process last year so my memory is still pretty fresh if you have specific questions.
 
Thanks for the info. I do have an IS school but they wouldn't take me with my stats (too bad since they're only 2.5hr drive from my home). All the other state schools I applied to will give me IS tuition rates - I made sure of that. Voc Rehab told me I couldn't be a Veterinarian due to my military disabilities and told me to go do HR. 🙄

Are any of y'all retired also? It's nice to connect with other veterans who are doing the same thing I am. 🙂
 
I used GI Bill... I am in-state for VA already though.

I think VMCVM now considers GI Bill applicants as in-state applicants (there's something about needing to let admissions know that you intend to use GI Bill on the same deadline as IS students have to prove their residency status - but that's probably a question for admissions because that's new on the website this year).

I left after my 5 year contract was up, but there is a retiree at VMCVM a year or two below me.
 
britzen said:
I used GI Bill... I am in-state for VA already though.

I think VMCVM now considers GI Bill applicants as in-state applicants (there's something about needing to let admissions know that you intend to use GI Bill on the same deadline as IS students have to prove their residency status - but that's probably a question for admissions because that's new on the website this year).

I left after my 5 year contract was up, but there is a retiree at VMCVM a year or two below me.
Click to expand...
You are correct, they do. I was rejected from them already this cycle. 🤷‍♀️
 
britzen said:
I used GI Bill... I am in-state for VA already though.

I think VMCVM now considers GI Bill applicants as in-state applicants (there's something about needing to let admissions know that you intend to use GI Bill on the same deadline as IS students have to prove their residency status - but that's probably a question for admissions because that's new on the website this year).

I left after my 5 year contract was up, but there is a retiree at VMCVM a year or two below me.
Click to expand...
That’s rad about considering GI Bill applicants as IS! I applied as a non-resident and am billed non-resident tuition each semester, but don’t have to pay anything out of pocket since it’s a public school. But that would’ve been so much less stressful as an applicant to be in the resident pool!
 
britzen said:
Aw sorry! Fingers crossed for you at another school!
Click to expand...
Thanks! I've been accepted to SGU and got an invite from Michigan for their virtual reception. Still waiting on Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, MN/SDSU, and LMU. Here's hoping Michigan puts me on the accepted list and not the wait list!
 
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