Thursday, June 25, 2009

DoD announces transferability options for Post 9/11 GI Bill

The Defense Department recently announced its policy to transfer educational benefits to servicemembers’ spouses and children under the “Post 9/11 GI Bill,“ which takes effect Aug. 1.

“This is as it should be in a volunteer force where families also serve,“ said Bill Carr, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Personnel Policy. “Transferability of GI Bill benefits is the most requested initiative we receive from our servicemembers, and we believe it will assist us in retaining highly qualified military personnel.“

Career servicemembers on active duty or in the selected reserve on Aug. 1, who are eligible for the “Post 9/11 GI Bill,“ may be entitled to transfer all or a portion of their education entitlement to one or more family members. To be eligible, servicemembers must have served in the Armed Forces for at least six years, and agree to serve four additional years, from the date of election to transfer. 
Servicemembers with at least 10 years of service, who by DoD or service policy are prevented from committing to four additional years, may transfer their benefits provided they commit for the maximum amount of time allowed by such policy or statute. 

Additionally, to maintain proper force structure and promotion opportunities, temporary rules have been developed for servicemembers eligible to retire between Aug. 1, 2009, and Aug. 1, 2012.  Depending on their retirement eligibility date, these servicemembers will commit to one to three additional years, from the date of election to transfer.

The services will provide further implementation guidance. Beginning Monday, eligible servicemembers may make transfer designations by visiting the Web site: https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/ TEB.
Servicemembers may be eligible for the “Post 9/11 GI Bill” if they served at least 90 aggregate days on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged.  Based on the length of
active-duty service, members are entitled to a percentage of the cost of tuition and fees, not to exceed the most expensive in-state undergraduate tuition at a public institution of higher learning. Members not on active duty may also receive a monthly living stipend equal to the basic allowance for housing payable to a military E-5 with dependents, and to an annual $1,000 stipend for books and
supplies.

The Department of Veterans Affairs administers the “Post 9/11 GI Bill,“ and determines eligibility for education benefits. More information on eligibility, benefit levels and application procedures is available from the Web site, gibill.va.gov.