This is a collaborative post: Many families find that the Post-9/11 GI Bill is most beneficial when the enlisted member’s spouse uses the money for higher education, making it one of the most sought-after benefits of military service. It may appear difficult to transfer and use the benefits, but the process is straightforward. Even while the Education Counsellors on your base and/or the VA benefits administrator at your school can provide you with individualized assistance, it is still helpful to have a basic understanding of the program and where to look for additional information.
Benefits Transfer
Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits can be transferred to a spouse after six years of service, but the transferring service member must remain in the military for an additional four years. That means their existing contract has to take them through at least four years after the transfer date. Many people can’t transfer their benefits until they re-enlist. The Transfer of Educational Benefits page on Milconnect is where the benefits transition takes place.
Making Use Of The Benefits
As soon as the transfer is complete, the spouse is eligible to begin receiving the benefits. Fill out VA Form 22-1990E (Application for Family Member to Use Transferred Benefits) or use the much more convenient online application to get started. A Certificate of Eligibility should arrive in the mail within 30 days. You will also be notified by letter if your application was rejected for lack of eligibility.
Talk to the VA benefits officer at your school while you wait to receive your forms from the VA. These individuals typically hold a high level of expertise in their respective fields.
Utilizing The Benefits
The benefits of the Post-9/11 GI Bill can be broken down into three categories.
The maximum annual benefit for tuition and fees paid by the GI Bill is $22,805.34 for private colleges and $4,656.80 for international institutions. Additional Yellow Ribbon Program advantages may be available to you if you go to a more expensive private school or are unable to qualify for in-state tuition rates.
A $1,000 annual books and supplies stipend is sent out at $41.67 per credit hour up to $500 every semester, prorated based on your enrollment.
If the military member is no longer on active duty and receiving a Basic Allowance for Housing, the spouse may be eligible for a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) (BAH.) The MHA payment is calculated using the school’s location and the date that benefits were first used. To check the status of servicemembers, visit https://www.servicememberscivilreliefact.com/.