New VA Rule Mandates Direct Mail Comparison of GI Bill vs. VR&E Benefits

The Informing Veterans on Education for Transitioning Servicemembers Act of 2025, or the Informing VETS Act, tackles a long-standing issue for veterans: understanding the difference between their educational benefits. This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to stop relying solely on veterans finding information themselves and instead mandates direct, proactive communication about the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Program.

The VA’s New Homework: Sending a Roadmap

For anyone who has ever stared at two seemingly similar benefits packages—say, two different health plans—and struggled to figure out which one is better for their situation, this bill is designed to solve that problem for veterans. The key change is a new requirement for the VA to send a letter to every veteran who qualifies for the VR&E program. This letter must clearly explain the educational assistance VR&E offers.

But the real game-changer is the side-by-side comparison chart that must accompany the letter. This chart has to stack up the VR&E benefits against the educational assistance provided under Chapter 33, which is the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This is crucial because veterans often have to choose between using one benefit or the other, and the choice can drastically affect their financial and career outcomes. For example, a veteran looking to pivot into a specialized, high-demand trade might find the VR&E program, which covers tools, supplies, and often provides a higher housing allowance, is a better fit than the traditional GI Bill, but without a clear comparison, that choice can feel like a guess.

Transparency Goes Digital

Recognizing that not everyone keeps track of physical mail, the bill also requires the VA to post this exact same comparison information on a publicly accessible website. This means the detailed breakdown of what VR&E covers—things like vocational counseling, job placement assistance, and specific training costs—versus the GI Bill’s tuition and housing stipend structure will be available 24/7. For a busy veteran juggling a new job search, family life, and trying to enroll in school, having this clear, official comparison online removes a huge hurdle in making an informed decision.

What This Means for the VA and Veterans

For veterans, this is a clear win for transparency and informed decision-making. No more wading through dense government websites or relying on word-of-mouth to compare two complex programs. The VA is now tasked with providing the clearest possible picture of what each benefit offers, which should lead to more veterans selecting the program that best aligns with their career goals.

For the VA itself, this means an increase in administrative work. They’ll need to dedicate resources to creating, printing, and mailing these comparisons regularly, which translates to a clear, if minor, increase in operational costs. However, the potential benefit—better utilization of resources by steering veterans toward the most appropriate program—could ultimately save time and money down the line by reducing program switching or enrollment confusion. This bill cuts through the bureaucratic fog by mandating clarity, ensuring that veterans, who often have the least amount of time to spare, get the critical information they need delivered right to their mailbox and their browser.