When Should I Apply For My Dad’s GI Bill?

Hi Julie, I lived near New Bern many years ago, it is a very pretty area, although I am sure many things have changed since I was last there.  I am assuming that you already know if your dad is eligible to transfer his benefits to you.  He was on active duty on or after 1 August 2009, and has been in the military for at least 6 years?  He must have served at least 10 years  before you can start using the benefits.

Assuming that you and your dad have already made sure that he is eligible to transfer his Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits, he will need to go to this Department of Defense website and apply to have his Post 9/11 benefits transferred to you.  You will have to be registered in DEERS to receive his benefits.  Once the transfer has been approved, all you have to do is go to the VONAPP website, and fill out form 22-1990e online and submit it.  That is the form that you use to apply for the benefits.  You have to be at least 18, or have a high school degree to use the benefits, so I would wait until you meet one of those qualifications before applying, but would apply as soon as you qualify.

You should be sent a Certificate of Eligibility, which you provide to the Registrar’s office, or the Veterans Certifying Official at Craven Community College.  They will fill out the appropriate paperwork, and send it back to the VA.  Due to their proximity to Camp Lejeune and Cherry Point, I’m sure that Craven has a lot of experience with GI Bill paperwork.  You may want to touch base with them soon, and they can give you lead times for the various steps, based on their experience.

From what I can see, you should receive $1,182 per month as a housing allowance.  That is based on your carrying more than 1/2 credit load of courses per semester of non-online classes.  If you have any other questions, please let me know.  Don’t forget that with the Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits you are also eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program.