Hi everyone, I have some questions about these and hoping someone here might just know the answers. I know theres many threads on these topics, and I feel like I've read them all and that has honestly left me even more confused. It seems maybe there has been some policy changes in the recentish past and I'm not sure the best way to proceed.

I have used some of my post 9/11 gi bill already,

**Total months received:**36 months, 0 days

**Months you’ve used:**21 months, 16 days

**Months you have left to use:**14 months, 13 days

I will not be able to finish my degree with what time I have left, and would like to go for a masters one day or maybe even a doctorate.

So I have a couple questions:

I recently had read that I should be using VR&E before using the post 9/11 GI Bill as the time I have used with the GI Bill will count against the amount of time I am allowed to use VR&E. Is this still true?

I also called my schools veterans office and spoke to someone there who told me I should use my GI Bill first and then try to use the VR&E which went against what I had previously read. The logic presented was I can get the GI Bill time given back by applying for retroactive induction. This does seem possible, but unless I am mistaken if I use 36 months or close to it of GI Bill time, I will only be able to use 1 year of VR&E? Is this correct?

I've tried reading the rules on the VA website and scouring reddit for peoples experiences but I'm just confused on what the best route forward is to maximize the amount of time I can use the VA to fund my higher education.

I do have an appointment with a VR&E counsellor soon, who I am sure I should be asking these questions to, and plan to, but I've also read quite a few horror stories from veterans saying their VR&E counsellor gave them incorrect or bad advice so I was wanting to hear it from you guys first. Thank you for your time!