Are You Eligible for the G.I Bill?
G.I. Bill benefits keep improving. Here you’ll learn about these great improvements including G.I. Bill family transfers, the Buy-up program, Top-up program, accelerated payments, and expanded benefits for Vietnam-era veterans.
Family Transfers
Transfer your G.I. Bill Active Duty benefits to one or more of your dependents. Just make sure that you check with your branch for branch-specific stipulations to ensure you qualify for this benefit.
To qualify for family transfers, you must be in active duty and
- Have six years of service completed, and
- Have a critical military skill OR military specialty designated by the appropriate Secretary for purposes of transferability, and
- Agree to serve at least four more years, and
- Meet any other requirements set forth by your service branch.
If you are in the Army, you may be able to take part in a pilot program that allows transferability to a spouse. Visit your Education Officer to learn more about this program.
Buy-Up Program (Called the “G.I. Bill Kicker” for Air Force Servicemembers)
By electing to contribute more ($20-$600 total) into your education fund—over and beyond your initial G.I. Bill contribution of $1,200—you can increase your monthly G.I. Bill payouts up to $150 per month. That can mean $5,400 in total benefits.
Simply use the DD-2366-1 form to enroll in this program or talk to your Education Officer for more details.
Top-Up Program
The Top-up Program is available to active duty servicemembers who want to supplement the cost of education courses over and beyond the amount that Tuition Assistance will cover. This benefit is only available to those who qualify for the G.I. Bill. If you use the Top-Up Program, benefit money is subtracted from your funds available through the G.I. Bill, so this is a good option if you wish to take courses while on active duty but do not foresee taking more courses (or a majority of your courses for a degree) after leaving the Armed Forces.
To be eligible for the Top-Up Program, you must have served at least two years of active duty, be eligible for the MGIB and have been approved for Federal Tuition Assistance. If you meet these requirements and would like to take advantage of the Top-Up Program, make sure you apply for TA and get approved, then fill out the VA Form 22-1990 and indicate that you would like the Top-Up program on the form. Send your completed form and your TA approval form to the address provided. For more information about the Top-Up Program, talk to your local Education Officer.
Accelerated Payments
If you are interested in taking courses that will lead to a “high-tech” job, then you may be able to receive up to $6,000 in accelerated G.I. Bill payments to reach that goal. Learn more at www.gibill.va.gov.
Vietnam-era Veteran Benefit Upgrade
Because the new G.I. Bill benefits have more to offer, Vietnam-era veterans can now convert their benefits to the current program. This can make their MGIB worth up to $42,000.
Veterans are eligible if
- They entered active duty before January 1, 1977, and
- Served at least one day between 10/19/84 and 6/30/85, and
- Remained on active duty through 6/30/88, (OR 6/30/87 entered Selected Reserve within one year of leaving active duty and served at least four years), and
- On 12/31/89, had entitlement left from Vietnam Era G.I. Bill.
Remember, you earned your G.I. Bill benefits through hard work and service to your country. Now make sure you use those benefits and all the additional features that will help you further your own educational and career goals.
