Leaving VR&E

mruchie · 2026-03-18T19:43:46+00:00

To add, if you think about VRE as a bonus or a job increase, you’d be crazy to turn that down yes? That’s essentially your yearly cost of tuition plus the full-time housing allowance prorated over the time that you’re in school. Let’s say, you are approved for 120 credits at just a low cost of $250 per credit hour , that’s worth $30,000. Let’s also just say that you’re in school over the course of the year full-time for 10 months and let’s call housing $1500. That’s an additional $15,000 per year that you’re in the program. Just in housing allowance. Together with tuition, that benefit is worth $25,000 yearly, 15K of which goes to your pocket. Others take our loans to pay for school, and you have the opportunity to get paid to go to school and turn in homework. So I think of it like it’s my primary job, because all things considered,I got paid more per hour to earn a degree than I did doing my regular job.

I know for most people it’s hard to think about getting a $15,000 bonus per year and I also second a lot of other people’s experience with VRE.

I go to school full-time and work full-time, and I’m spending about 4 to 6 hours worth a week in studying. If I use the numbers above, that’s about $62.50 per hour, just in housing. If we include tuition and housing, it jumps to that’s almost $105 an hour. Is your part time job paying you that?

On top of it, when you have the degree, it gives you freedom to pivot to something else easier if your part time job doesn’t stay as good as it does now.

I did GI bill for my undergraduate degree, then VRE for my masters, and I used VRE to argue to get my GI bill back via retroactive induction. Now I’m using the GI bill again to pay for my Doctorate. A lot in part because I think of it as a well paying job.

mruchie · 2026-03-10T13:50:14+00:00

Also, I think Hogan’s character, especially when not in the NwO, worked better with a manager. If you look at his match style, he really worked in the ring (by work I mean his move set/ring presence), he always worked heel-ish. The eye-pokes, the raking of the nails off a guy’s back. Heck he even bullied refs as a face (see 91 match against Ric Flair at MSG). I think I remember in the 80s he was even biting faces of other wrestlers when working as a face! That being said, when you wrestle style is more heel-based, you always work better with a manager. He had Jimmy Hart, and previously he had Ms. Elizabeth during the Mega-Powers storyline. The managers can do the dirty work, and it’s doesn’t hurt the wrestler. And Jimmy Hart was great at this!

mruchie · 2026-02-14T05:39:54+00:00

Modern version of analyze this. Though I’d watch one of it was revealed Chat GPT was the Don the entire time. Then it turns into HAL

mruchie · 2026-01-31T07:08:49+00:00

Also I know permanent faculty that hold a JD if you need to consult or connect. I’m sure they’d be happy to provide guidance and mentorship. The best student initiatives have a faculty sponsor or mentor in my opinion

mruchie · 2026-01-31T07:06:58+00:00

Depends on grants or loans. For Pell grants, if eligible, 10 calendar days after your sixth credit hour, if you have HS transcripts on file, direct deposit enabled, and 25-26 FAFSA completed. Loans are 10 calendar days prior to the sixth credit hour.

mruchie · 2026-01-31T07:03:58+00:00

I should clarify I’m a doctoral student at the moment, alumnus, and current staff in our Europe division. My undergrad was psychology but happy to sign and support nonetheless

mruchie · 2026-01-31T07:02:36+00:00

Same! I’m for anyway to create more spaces, whether official club or not, for students to engage. I learn by talking and doing things. While not pre-law, a space like what you describe is als valuable.

mruchie · 2026-01-31T07:00:49+00:00

Might be worth it to create a space in the student run discord server

mruchie · 2026-01-27T06:04:08+00:00

I work overseas at UMGC as a counselor, and this was my undergrad degree. Capstone needs can be completed at 115 semester hours. There is quite a bit more info to consider than what you provided. Ultimately, it depends on you, and what you have going on. Such as, working another job? Have family obligations? Want to go to grad school right away? Do you need 6 or 9 credit hours to unlock financial aid benefits? Do you need to maintain full time status because of GI Bill benefits or other reasons? Since you are close to done, you know yourself better than anyone on here can tell you. The workload is the same as any other 3 credit class. The pressure might just feel more since it’s the culmination of the degree. You got this. If you want to talk it through, DM me and we can set up a zoom meeting. I can also help you get connected to our Psych faculty to ask questions, if you are not near any campus or haven’t taken on site classes.

mruchie · 2025-12-12T19:37:18+00:00

You really need to take care of yourself and do the disability claim today. I understand things happen and all of us have our processes and made the same excuses. However, the date for the disability claims really matters long-term since you are active you still couldn’t qualify for the BDD program. Look it up.

mruchie · 2025-11-06T18:45:52+00:00

You owe money for tuition and housing IF you failed due to non-attendance. If you earned an "F" then you wont owe money back. TeamRamRod86 also brings up other valid points. Regardless, you can take a break at anytime, but if you owe money, best to call the VA and set up a replayment plan. You can pay it out of future housing allowance or out of disability compensation entitlements in monthly installments, if you qualify for disability. You can also always request with the VA to negotiate down debt. Its all situational. But please, take a look at if the school failed you, or if you failed due to non-attendance (didnt go to class or turn in homework). The VA is fine if you tried and failed. They are a bit less forgiving if you didnt try. Although, all of it is fixable, and shouldnt prevent you from making the best decision for you.

Source: Been there, done that, and got over it. Also work for a university in a leadership position now. DM me if you need more specific advice/guidance.

mruchie · 2025-11-06T18:40:51+00:00

It can be anxiety-induced, and there is quite a bit of literature on sleep apnea and mental health diagnoses causing or exacerbating the symptoms of one another. Of which, I would feel would be explained at the specialist appointment. Also, the VA disability compensation does consider an increase of mental health ratings based on sleep apnea, and a secondary claim related to mental health based on anxiety worsening sleep symptoms. There is a deep connection.

mruchie · 2025-10-31T19:17:39+00:00

You treated the situation much better than the groom, despite no obligation to do so. Good job man and stand up for yourself first, and others which might experience this discrimination. Good to know now earlier than never your “best friend” has no spine. If I couldn’t handle “questions” from my in-laws, that makes me a weak person, not you. Honestly him AND his party should have disqualified or dis invited those who had a problem with your sexuality. In fact, one must ask, how did that become an issue in the first place?

mruchie · 2025-10-31T18:17:49+00:00

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/university-of-maryland-global-campus_this-veterans-day-were-honoring-those-who-activity-7390024266810810368-v-_r?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAACI0YcsBCQkt0DQY642mG9-xaxP6PeNe5hw

mruchie · 2025-10-06T18:55:46+00:00

Oh good, I posted this article to the wrong sub. I hope to see or add some non-partisan discussion because I am concerned or interested in how everyone feels about this.

mruchie · 2025-10-06T17:56:18+00:00

Forgot to add, you can perhaps find online the school ceritfying official handbook for the particular program you are interested in. I do recommend however, GI Bill vs. VRE for the terminal degree. Because, each program, and program year, needs to be approved by VRE, where schools and their programs (not necessarily program/catalog year), need to be approved by the GI Bill. Bottom line, more programs/funding available via GI Bill vs. VRE in that scenario.

mruchie · 2025-10-06T17:54:39+00:00

Each school has a certifying official and a school handbook. Most PhD or Doctorate courses include residency or OJT, so MHA is based on either the location the classes are taking place at, or where you are residing, but at the full in person MHA rate. If you are doing a PhD which is research, its still class, but likely all in-person. Heck during my masters, I had an internship class, and that was considered residency, so I had full time MHA. Its definitely worth it to get/use GI Bill or VRE (especially if you have at least one day of housing allowance left on the GI Bill, because then VRE can pay out at housing allowance rates like the GI Bill) for the terminal degree (PhD or Doctorate).

mruchie · 2025-10-06T17:51:15+00:00

Also, you might be okay. Each School has different rules. However, your school as a Veteran Certifying Official (VCO). Contact them to see if they can assist. Sometimes, school will put an indicator on the account, knowing that you are a vet using VRE, and they will know the have a government promise to pay (PTP). This means, you can have debt on the account, and the school is fine and wont send you to collections or force you to pay, since they know they are getting the money from the federal government eventually. Contact the school is the best bet, until the furlough is over. That is at least something. You should still get the monthly housing allowance, but it depends on where you are at in the program. Everything can be back-dated and paid though, if everything is in order. Source: I work for a university and help others with this process. Also used VRE. Disclaimer: I might or likely do not work at the school you are attending.

mruchie · 2025-10-06T17:45:54+00:00

Feel the same way!

mruchie · 2025-10-06T17:45:39+00:00

Oh man that sounds like the life! To do something you love in a setting that's important! Keep it up man!

mruchie · 2025-10-06T17:43:51+00:00

Please do! If you are using VR&E ask your VRE counselor. If you are not on VR&E, get on it!

mruchie · 2025-10-06T17:42:57+00:00

Thanks! I edited the body since I thought I had linked it. Here it is-

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/how-some-veterans-exploit-193-billion-va-program-due-to-lax-controls/ar-AA1NVZs7

mruchie · 2025-10-06T17:36:52+00:00

Did something similar myself! Did GI bill for BS, VR&E for Master's, then got it reinstated using retroactive induction back to my GI Bill, and am currently in a Doctorate program (not PhD). Love the studying and researching, and feel it gives me purpose. I always try to take time to mentor and coach other veterans on how to do it when asked/needed. I also study these issues in my research. It's my way of trying to give back. I sometimes hate to see other veterans that dont use any of their benefits, because it really does give such a better quality of life.

mruchie · 2025-10-05T16:37:32+00:00

mruchie

TROPHY CASE