I am 100p/t and receiving ssdi, been out of work for about 18 months. Am I dreaming to think maybe I could handle taking some college courses to actually feel like I have a purpose? I must admit that I feel a bit of anxiety coming on just thinking of it. But I would like to try. One of my SC disabilities is MDD.

Jmack

You may be able to try some online courses. There was a thread posted earlier about AMU. There was a link in that thread, you might try that!

Check Berta's messages as she graduated there in 2007 and suggested others to check out that school too.

I to am 100% for ptsd and am starting college at AMU this month. I think there is not a problem as long as you do the college work on line and not go to college and sit in a classroom. And dont go telling your shrink about it keep it to yourself. I have to pay out of pocket its 700.00 a class at AMU. But like you its been 2 years since I got IU and I need something to do.

Cal,
So you didn't get the VA to foot the bill? Or did you think that it was too risky? Would like to know because that AMU sounds good especially if I can work on line. Thanks for the info.

Jmack

Guys Voc Rehab made some accomodations to my husband when he went to Corning College- he had to formally request these accomosations in writing but the college did help him-

He couldnt handle the large ticking clock they use for exams - it was suddenly a land mine set to go off in Vietnam (he had 30% PTSD then)

They allowed him to take exams alone in a separate room and knocked on the door quietly when the time was up.

The college handled that sort of stuff.

He also needed some tutoring in math course and VA Voc Rehab seemed to handle all that for him.

Also his truck transmission was going bad. We didnt use credit cards and didnt know yet how to fit this looming expense into our budget- he happened to mention it to the Voc Rehab counselor because he was afraid he might miss time from school if the car broke down and figured he should tell the VA.

The VA gave him a small loan via Voc Rehab and we got it fixed right away.

This was in the early 1990s-I dont know if Voc Rehab does this anymore-

I even wonder if any of you guys are eligible for Pell Grants in addition to Voc Rehab-I think NY even has a tuition assistance program for disabled vets.

VA made it as easy as possible for Rod to attend college-----
until after the first semester- the RO tried to drop him to 10% saying that one semester of college and a few months of part time VA job had made him a rocket scientist with a substanial and gainful income.

The VARO turned around fast when they got the NOD I prepared for him-

A Vietnam vet at the VA where he worked told him the VA wants to send out as few VA checks as possible and hates it when a vet gets a VA comp, the Voc Rehab stipend check, and then gets a paycheck in the mail from the VA too.

That vet was right.
I dont think you have to be concerned about that.It was easy to knock down the VA's proposed reduction.

The only thing I have to say about "American" "Military" "University" is that they weren't very accomodating to me when my SC anxiety/PTSD condition was truly manifesting itself in 2001 or so while I was still on active-duty, trying to make it to retirement and had trouble balancing active-duty commitment with course completion for one of their "free" degrees combining tuition assistance and they pay the rest.

After a semester of two Non-Complete courses, I was picked up by the scruff of my neck and shown the door like a common scoundrel. I even sent a lengthy letter to the "sergeant-at-arms" practically begging to get back in so I could continue a degree program, but I never so much as ever heard back from him. If I did, it was such an impersonable, generic response that I don't recall. Back then, I never even considered that the Americans with Disabilities Act could apply to me because, for one, I was still trying to "toe the line" and honor my final enlistment contract. If I'd known then what I know now, including a lot from here at hadit.com, I would have asked for some big guns to come in from on-high and give them a bit of education on how to treat people, themselves.

I'm sure a lot of you have had more positive experiences, to include graduation, but that wasn't the case for me. Now, I'm New 9/11 GI Bill-rich but have to pile further stress onto my recently awarded 100 percent schedular for Anxiety worrying about whether or not I should try again to qualify for voc rehab (VA said I have to be "stable" for three months) or GI Bill college because if I do the VA might treat me as crappy as AMU did or worse. I personally think AMU is a lot like the VA: Inflexible as the day is long, and as self-righteous as the moon.

Does anyone know if VOC REHAB Pays for training completely? Especially, if you are receiving training at a college or university.

I recently completed my associates degree at a community college in the VOC REHAB program. Community colleges offer 2 year associates degree programs, then you must move onto a 4 year college or university to complete the rest. The community college I was attending was very close to my home, about 15 min drive there and 15 min drive back.
I applied to a couple of schools/universities for further training to obtain a bachelors in order to complete my program. I got accepted to some, however, all these places are quite far away.

I was told by my 1st VOC REHAB Counselor that even if you go to another state or somewhere far from my residence to get training at a college/university, they will pay for dorming and everything, they even said voc rehab is the best program as it provides you completely with anything you need.

The second counselor told me they will take away subsistence allowance and pay rent up to like $700 a month to pay for a place to stay while getting training.

The third counselor I have now says, no they will not pay for any dorming or anything, just books and tuition and that I am on my own to do the rest, but how if I have no job and the whole reason for me to be in the program is to help me get a job. I really don't get it and I am really depressed since I do not know how to continue the program or what to do. I made it this far and now there is a barrier.

I have had 3-4 voc rehab counselors during this time. It has really messed me up, when one person told me one thing, another told me something else, and now I have a counselor that says no you can't get a dorm to get training even though the places i got accepted to are far. Is there anyone here that has been in a similiar situation? How does VOC Rehab expect a Veteran to get training they need. Especially, when a Veteran has no job and is trying to get training to obtain a job? How do they get the help? If anyone is in a similiar situation or has received the necessary means to get training regardless of college/university location, please let me know. I have no idea which counselor knew what they were talking about and which one did not. Thanks.

If you are 100%, you need to look into the VocRehab INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM.

You may be, initially, limited to 1 course per semester (as I was) to see if you can hack it.

Also, the ILP system starts with a comprehensive exam by a occupational therapist. He or she will look at your ENTIRE life situation, not just college issues.

I got a new therapeutic mattress and bed frame (due to my service-connected chronic fatigue syndrome) as well as college courses that I will most likely start in the fall. Plus I am petitioning to get a cheapo treadmill so I walk a few minutes a day, if possible.

If you or anyone else has any questions about ILP, just ask. Its geared towards those 60% and above and it does work IF you understand what it offers and have a solid plan for what you want to do in life.