Education Center held GI bill briefing Published Aug. 5, 2013 By Senior Airman Christopher Reel 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The base Education and Training office held an informational briefing, on the Montgomery GI Bill and Post 9/11 GI Bill July 30. The briefing was broken down into topics: eligibility and benefits, stipends, transferability option, and resources and application information. Eligibility: "All Airmen with at least 90 days of active duty service on or after September 11, 2001 are eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill," explained Hannah Kaplan, Tyndall Education Center education specialist. Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits: Service Requirements (after 9/10/01 an individual must serve anaggregate of) At least 36 months for 100 percent payment At least 30 continuous days on active duty (Must be discharged due to service-connected disability) for 100 percent payment At least 30 months, but less than 36 months for 90 percent payment At least 24 months, but less than 30 months for 80 percent payment At least 18 months, but less than 24 months for 70 percent payment At least 12 months, but less than 18 months for 60 percent payment At least 06 months, but less than 12 months for 50 percent payment At least 90 days, but less than 6 months for 40 percent payment "The Post 9/11 GI Bill pays 36 in-class months of tuition to public schools (all resident tuition and fees), private or foreign schools (capped at $19,198.31 a year)," explained Kaplan. "The tuition payments go directly to the institution." Servicemembers or their dependents have 15 years from date of separation (children may use between ages 18-26) to use the bill towards graduate and undergraduate degrees, vocational and technical training at institutions of higher learning. It can also be applied towards non-college degree programs such as correspondence, on the job training, apprenticeships and flight training programs. "Another few key points to note are that tutorial assistance has a cap of $1,200 and licensing or certification test reimbursement up to $2,000 are approved," Kaplan said. "When it comes to the reimbursement of fees for national exams such as the SAT, ACT, GMAT and LSAT a one month entitlement is charged for each test taken, or $1,460 is reimbursed, whichever is less." She also mentioned that there is a rural benefit for individuals living in certain low population areas and must travel to school can receive a $500 one-time payment. Benefit Stipends: Active Duty Benefit: -Tuition Assistance Top Up -Book Stipend up to $1,000 a year Note: housing allowance is not paid, if on active duty Veteran Benefit: -Housing allowance - E-5 BAH with dependant -Must be 75 to 100 percent rate of pursuit with school, and attending at least one class on campus -Distance learning BAH is $684 -Yellow Ribbon--Schools and VA may offset remaining tuition/fees for veterans having 100 percent benefit -Institutions of higher learning with tuition and fees exceeding highest public in-state undergraduate tuition and fee rate for their state -The institution contributes a certain dollar amount and VA will match the contribution but will not exceed 50 percent of the difference Transferability Option: Those eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill and wish to transfer to a dependent must be on active duty status at the time of transfer and can transfer as early as six years in service. Individuals must agree to a four year active duty service commitment at the time of transfer. The retirement eligibility window expired August 1, 2013 and bill holders will have to agree to the four year ADSC in order to transfer, explained Kaplan. "Issues many may not realize are that the individual's spouse and/or children must be registered in DEERS and that you have to apply using the Defense Department's Transfer Education Benefits website," Kaplan said. "Do not send them to the Veterans Affairs office for it will not transfer the benefits." Spouse requirements for eligibility: -Must have the same status as the Airman -NOT eligible for basic allowance for housing while member is active duty Child requirements for eligibility: -Benefits can be used once Airman serves 10 years in service -Child must be under 23 years old at the time of transfer - Entitled to BAH and book stipend - The child can use the benefit between ages 18 and 26 or once the child has obtained a secondary school - Children dependents are not subject to the 15 year DOS -The Airman determines transferees, number of benefit months for each and time frame of usage. -The Airman can adjust or revoke transfer actions at anytime (even after separation). -Benefits continue even if Airman dies, as long as the TEB website was previously approved -The transferee must apply to the VA before entering school (22-1990e) -Stipends are paid to the transferee "Transferred benefits will be lost if the Airman does not complete the entire commitment or if the Airman receives less than honorable separation," said Kaplan. "The sponsor or transferee are both financially liable if the student fails or drops courses or if the Airman does not complete the entire commitment." Differences between Post 9/11 and Montgomery GI Bill: -MGIB has no book stipend -MGIB provides no housing allowance -MGIB cannot be transferred to dependents -MGIB is limited to the amount determined by the VA, type of training, and rate of pursuit -MGIB is dissolved after 10 years after date of separation -Switching from MGIB to the Post 9/11 GIB is irrevocable and the $1,200 MGIB buy-in can be reimbursed Application process: VONAPP: Sign up for a GI Bill, switch over from MGIB to Post 9/11, start using your GI Bill ◦ www.gibill.va.gov ◦ Click on "Apply for Benefits" box ◦ Submit electronically, receive certificate by mail one to three months later TEB: Transfer of Education Benefits to dependents ◦ https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/ ◦ Instructions are linked on the site or pick up a packet at the Education Office