RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Department of Defense began accepting
applications from Airmen to transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to
dependents June 29.
"The Post-9/11 GI Bill transfer of benefits option is a landmark benefit to
eligible Airmen," said Lt. Gen. Richard Newton III, Air Force Personnel and
Manpower deputy chief of staff. "The transfer option also serves as an
effective military retention and recruiting tool."
Active duty and Selected Reserve Airmen who meet all of the Department of
Veterans Affairs Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, are on duty as of Aug. 1, have
already served at least six years, and who commit to four more years of
service, have the option to transfer their benefits to eligible dependents.
Retirement-eligible members may have a reduced service commitment, based on
their retirement eligibility window. Details are available at the resource
links below.
HOW TO APPLY
Before applying to transfer benefits, an Airman should do four things to
ensure a smooth and efficient application process. "First, you should get
counseling from your Education Center on your GI Bill options," said Thomas
Hawthorne, AFPC's Education Services chief.
Next, Airmen must have at least four years left of retainability before
transferring benefits, unless retirement-eligible. "We encourage any Airmen
who need additional retainability to visit their servicing military
personnel section for counseling on re-enlisting or extending their current
enlistment before applying to transfer their benefits," Mr. Hawthorne said.
Third, Airmen must sign a Statement of Understanding, which will acknowledge
acceptance of their active duty service commitment. The SOU will be
available in military personnel sections, education offices and on the Air
Force Publications site by Aug. 1. Additional information on how to submit
the SOU will be released by Aug. 1.
And finally, Airmen planning to transfer their benefits should verify family
member information is accurate in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment
Reporting System. "If your family members are not in DEERS, you will not be
able to select them to transfer benefits to," Mr. Hawthorne added.
To apply to transfer benefits, visit the Transfer Education Benefits Web
site. Applicants must use a common access card, a DoD self-service user identification or a Defense Finance and Accounting Service personal identification number to access the site. The TEB site is also posted on the Air Force Virtual Education Center on the Air
Force Portal.
HOW THE APPLICATION PROCESS WORKS
Currently, more than 144,000 active duty Airmen, and thousands more Selected
Reservists, may be eligible for the transfer-to-dependents option. However,
Air Force leadership is asking applicants whose family members won't use the
benefits for the upcoming fall semester to hold off registering until
mid-July.
"Due to the expected popularity of the transfer of benefits program, Airmen
whose family members won't need the benefits for the Fall 2009 semester
should wait until mid-to-late July to apply, so we can process the
applications for family members who plan to use the benefits immediately
first," General Newton said.
The Air Force Personnel Center is responsible for reviewing all transfer
applications received from Regular Air Force Airmen for eligibility. To do
so, AFPC customer service representatives will check an applicant's
personnel record and validate retainability using the system of record.
"If the applicant is eligible for the transfer option, after receipt of the
Statement of Understanding, AFPC will update the member's Active Duty
Service Commitment and return the approved application to the TEB site,"
said Thomas Hawthorne, AFPC's Education Services chief.
If for some reason an applicant doesn't meet eligibility requirements, the
application will be returned to the TEB site. AFPC will provide the
applicant with a statement of why it was disapproved, or guidance on what
actions are required before approval can be granted.
GUIDANCE FOR AIRMEN
Defense officials also emphasize caution, foresight and patience when
applying for transferring benefits.
According to a recent DoD release, new family members can be added to a
member's TEB application as long as that member is in the military, but not
after separating or retiring. Thus, defense officials advise erring on the
side of caution and including every eligible family member on the
application, even if they receive just one month of benefit.
"Once an Airman's transfer of benefits has been approved, they can always go
back in and change which family member receives what amount of their
benefit, if any, as long as that family member was included before the
Airman leaves the service," Mr. Hawthorne explained.
In addition, customers are asked to be patient with the processing of
applications, especially during the first few months of the program.
Benefits and service commitment will be based on the date of application,
but in no case earlier than Aug. 1, the effective date of the program, Mr.
Hawthorne said.
"Even if it takes us a month or so to process your application, your service
commitment clock will be retroactive to the date you applied, but no earlier
than Aug. 1. The VA will allow you to seek reimbursement of benefits paid
during the application approval process," Mr. Hawthorne added.
For specific details on Selected Reservists transferring GI Bill benefits, contact the Total Force Service Center - Denver at 1-800-525-0102.
Additional guidance about GI Bill options can be found at www.va.gov or at
the DoD's Post-9/11 GI Bill site.