Verify eligibility and transfer Post Sept. 11 GI Bill benefits quicker

  • Published
  • By Michael Keith
  • 7th Force Support Squadron guidance counselor
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The long awaited Post Sept. 11 GI Bill was implemented Aug. 1. Among other benefits, the Post Sept. 11 GI Bill allows a servicemember to transfer benefits to their spouse and children.

The Department of Veteran Affairs developed an online process to verify servicemember eligibility. A second process to transfer education benefits was setup by the Department of Defense. Due to the overwhelming response to servicemembers wishing to transfer education benefits, both agencies found it difficult to keep up with online requests.

The DVA and DoD with help from the Air Force Personnel Center implemented an enhancement to the Post 9/11 GI Bill transfer of education benefits process. A new vMPF Transfer of Education Benefits processing application automates the required statement of understanding and provides Airmen with current transfer eligibility and application information.

To transfer education benefits to a spouse, a servicemember must have completed six years of active duty and be obligate for four more years.

Exceptions to this policy are:

Those who have an approved retirement date between Aug. 2, 2009 and June 30, 2010 incur no additional service.

Those eligible to retire (completed 20 years of service) on or before Aug. 1, 2009 incur no additional service (must be on active duty to transfer benefits).

Those eligible to retire (complete 20 years of service) from Aug. 2, 2009 to July 31, 2010 will incur one additional year; from Aug. 1, 2010 to July 31, 2011 will incur two additional years; from Aug. 1, 2011 to July 31, 2012 will incur three additional years; and from Aug. 1, 2012 and beyond will incur four additional years.

Additional service requirement begins at time of approval of the transfer of education benefits and is concurrent with reenlistments, extensions or service commitment.

To transfer benefits, Airmen can access the vMPF and click on the DoD TEB website. The vMPF application will verify Airmen's eligibility to transfer benefits, provide timely notices regarding eligibility issues, and allow Airmen to complete, sign and forward the required statement of understanding to the Automated Records Management System.

Basic eligibility for Post Sept. 11 GI Bill benefits are:
Airmen must serve a minimum of 90 days of aggregate service on or after Sept. 11, 2001, excluding basic military training and technical school.

ROTC and service academy graduates without earlier established eligibility begin to accrue qualifying service after completing their statutory obligated active duty service commitment.

Beginning Jan. 12, 2010, Post Sept. 11 GI Bill briefings will be held Tuesdays at 9 a.m. at the education center in building 7232, third floor, room 304.

For more information or to talk to a counselor, call (325) 696-5544 or visit the education center.