Top 5 GI Posts - July 2010
ShareThisTechnically and eventually, you may recover your contributions. A veteran only can apply for a refund of MGIB buy-in money when GI Bill benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill are exhausted. This means servicemembers and veterans who don't use all of the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits can't receive a refund of their payments into MGIB.
If you haven't used your MGIB entitlement, you can receive a full refund. If you switch from MGIB to the Post-9/11 GI Bill after receiving GI Bill benefits, you'd have to exhaust your benefits and you'd then receive a refund for a proportional amount. Look carefully at GI Bill benefits and eligibility under both programs to decide which one meets your individual needs and requirements.
Stepchildren and GI Benefits
You've read that BI benefits can be transferred to your spouse, but what about your stepchild? Stepchildren also can receive your military benefits, provided the criteria is met to qualify.
With the Post-9/11 GI Bill, immediate family may use GI Bill benefits. A stepchild would need the following:
- A military dependent's ID card
- DEERS registration
- To be under 18 years of age, or 18 to 23 years of age and attending school
- If under 18, a high school diploma or GED is required
Also, your length of service is a determining factor. Ten years (or six years service and a commitment for an additional four years) is required to transfer your benefits, though there are exceptions, such as when a servicemember is approaching retirement.
Maximizing Military Benefits while Going to School Part Time
When you go to school part time, you might be concerned about finishing school before your GI benefits expire. Is there a provision for part-time students, and what is the best way to maximize your benefits?
The military gets it, and so did Congress when they passed the Post-9/11 GI Bill. When young men and women in the armed forces return home from service, it takes time to readjust to civilian life, and it can be difficult to jump into becoming a full-time college student.
But, time is a factor in using your benefits, since the longer your GI Bill benefits go unused, the less likely you are to use them. The solution was to make a provision for students attending school part time that credits that part-time portion of their monthly entitlement so that no tuition benefits are lost.
To really maximize your benefits, consider attending on a half-time basis and taking slightly over the required courses for half time. You'll have the courses paid for, plus any other applicable benefits, such as living allowance and book stipend.
Back to School for Husband and Wife--Using Her GI Benefits
She is eligible for full benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and she and her husband want to go back to school. Turns out, she can transfer half of her benefits to him so they can both use them at the same time, if she meets the following requirements:
- Still on active duty, with six years active duty service
- Commit to an additional four years active duty (exceptions apply)
- Request approval from the Department of Defense (DoD)
After approval from the Department of Defense (DoD), the husband retains eligibility for those benefits for 15 years following her discharge. If, however, she does not meet the requirements, consider using other military educational benefits to get you both back in the classroom
Retiring? How to Settle on a Civilian Career
Servicemembers learn many skills valuable in the private sector. By using your GI Bill benefits and evaluating your military experience, you'll be able to launch into a number of careers. Career fields with above average employment opportunities and a strong military veteran presence include computer science and network management, health care, and law enforcement, to name just a few.
Don't forget that these fields have myriad job possibilities. For example, a career in law enforcement includes security guard and electronic surveillance analyst, two very different careers under the same umbrella.
