Accessing educational benefits as a service member can be a complex journey, particularly when it involves transferring benefits to family members.
One significant provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill program offers career service members the opportunity to share their education benefits with immediate family members.
Transferring GI Bill Benefits
If you’re a parent considering transferring your benefits, understanding the necessary steps and requirements is essential for a seamless process.
To begin, service members can transfer some or all of their 36 months of education benefits to eligible immediate family members, including spouses, children, or a combination of both. However, before initiating the transfer, it’s crucial to verify both your eligibility and that of your dependents.
Eligibility for transferring benefits entails meeting specific criteria, including having no outstanding balance on Direct Loans or Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loans as of October 1, 1998, and completing at least six years of service.
Once eligibility is confirmed, you’ll need to complete the necessary forms to kickstart the transfer process. If you’re transferring benefits to a spouse or dependent, you’ll use VA Form 22-5490, designed for educational benefits under Chapter 35 Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance (DEA) or Chapter 33 Fry Scholarship.
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Processing Educational Benefits: Steps After Transfer Approval
Additionally, each family member intending to utilize the transferred benefits must fill out VA Form 22-1990E to apply for a certificate of eligibility from the VA. It’s crucial to ensure that your children are enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) to receive transferred benefits.
Age restrictions also apply, with children aged 18 through 20 eligible with no restrictions, while those aged 21 or 22 must be full-time students. Children over the age of 22 are typically ineligible for transferred benefits.
Upon approval of the transfer request and receipt of the necessary forms, the VA will process each family member’s request for education benefits and issue them a certificate of eligibility. This certificate must then be provided to their respective schools to initiate the disbursement of tuition funds.
Throughout the process, it’s essential to stay informed and monitor the status of your transfer request through milConnect, ensuring a smooth transition and access to educational opportunities for your family members.
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