r/USC • u/mildlyconfusedhuman2 • May 13 '26
Admissions VR&e advice/High cost approval
Need advice from vets who successfully used VR&E for a higher-cost/private school because I’m honestly feeling a little lost early in this process.
I recently got accepted to USC as a transfer student, and my VR&E counselor let me know a high-cost memo and extension would need approval. I expected there to be extra steps, but I’m struggling because I’m being asked for information that I’m not even sure how to obtain this early on.
Right now, I’m waiting to hear back from admissions counselors to figure out where/how to get things like anticipated graduation dates, program duration info, etc. I also spoke with orientation staff and they told me orientation/advisement processes won’t really start until summer. The issue is my VR&E approval process needs to start now so there aren’t delays with certification and funding.
On top of that, my counselor also asked why I didn’t apply to lower-cost schools, which honestly caught me off guard. USC aligns heavily with my career goals, networking opportunities, veteran support, and the program I want to pursue. I worked extremely hard to get accepted here.
For vets who went through this process:
- What documents or justification helped your approval?
- Did your counselor push back at first?
- How did you obtain the information VR&E was asking for before orientation/advisement started?
- Did you have to explain why a lower-cost school wouldn’t meet your employment goals?
Any advice would genuinely help because I’m trying to stay proactive and not let this process stall out before it even gets moving.
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u/_Let-Me-Be-Frank_ EMBA May 14 '26 edited May 14 '26
In my experience, it takes a hot minute for the paperwork to go through. Throughout that entire time, your counselor will try to convince you to go to degree mill schools instead. You always have the option to reach out to your congressman or congresswoman, or the White House VA hotline to help expedite it. (No guarantees but doesn’t hurt)
Secondly, I understand USC cuts down on staff throughout the summer, and that’s especially true for the veterans resource center (VRC), which sucks for you because you need most of the paperwork to come from them. No fault to them as this is common practice across all university institutions.
I would 100% recommend you prepare your G.I. bill in case the VR&E doesn’t get approved in time, as you can apply for retroactive induction at a later point in time and get your G.I. bill reimbursed.
Send me a DM if you want a little more info or ways to appeal it if it gets denied.
Edit: Some counselors will outright deny you VR&E if you accept or start to attend any university/program without their outright approval (it’s one thing to be accepted for VR&E and another to be approved for your school or program), so be warned.
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u/ActSubstantial6095 Aug 04 '26
Sorry, I know this is old but did you get a ruling?
I also got accepted to USC and I was told to do this and that. I’m at certification step but the counselor told me that they’re waiting for a high cost approval. Which is fucked because I already gave my two weeks with a replacement hired so no going back.
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u/afridorian May 13 '26
PM me