Need advice on converting from Chapter 30 to Post 9/11 GI Bill in order to TEB (Transfer Education Benefits) to my kids

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 19:45:25 -0400

I am prior enlisted (joined 1998) and have 17 years active duty as an O-3 now. I originally signed up for the GI Bill Ch 30 while in basic and even did the extra $600 "kicker" when I was an E-4. I have almost 5 years left until I retire. My question is this: has anyone out there converted their Ch. 30 GI Bill benefits to Post 9/11 in order to transfer their benefits to their kids? I used up about half of my GI Bill while on active duty using the Top Up Program to get my master's degree when I was enlisted. I don't think I am going to do anymore schooling out of pocket while I am on active duty.
Before you direct me to the VA's GI Bill website, trust me I've already been there and even called them on the phone. They offer ZERO advice for people in my situation. Has anyone else out there done this? TIA

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 9:30 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 21:30:16 -0400

Well, I will say that the only thing that the VA GI Bill folks told me, is that the decision is irrevocable-which totally didn't answer my questions or help. At all.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jun 6 at 2015 9:53 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 21:53:22 -0400

Ma'am,
I converted mine over, but did not transfer it. I converted it because of the time difference on the two (10 years Chap 30, 15 years Chap 33) and my MGIB had expired, but my 9/11 had not.

The trick here is waiting until the last possible minute to do it. You can only receive 48 total months of benefits is my understanding. So if you used up half (24 months), and half remaining convert it when your kids are ready to go, not before.

I get 60% coverage of tuition (because of my date range), and BAH based on my school's location. My benefits expire 15 years from date of first (real) discharge.

Do you have "broken" service?

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 10:16 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 22:16:27 -0400

Capt Private RallyPoint Member I called the local education counselor. That's a great first step. I didn't even want to talk to VA yet. I went online and converted it. I put one month on each kid. You can increase it later even after you retire. You get a four year ADSO when you transfer it, not each time you adjust who gets how much. Like I said, first stop education counselor helped me.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Jun 6 at 2015 10:34 PM

LCpl Mark Lefler — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 22:34:05 -0400

use all your chapter 30 before going to 33, that way you maximize your benefit.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 10:45 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 22:45:47 -0400

CAPT,
I am a Navy Chief as well as my commands Command Career Counsilor, the VA is right it is not reversible once you change over. The kicker is that you can not transfer of you do not choose the CHapter 33 G.I. Bill. Also you have to have a minimum of four years obligated service in order to transfer but not to change to chapter 33. The VA website has a link that will allow you to request the change once that is done you then have to go back and transfer it to a dependent of your choice. There is a lot more to the transfer but once you have made it you can give as much or little as you choose. I like the 33 for those that are not going to use the rest of there G.I. Bill it allows the member to give what is left of there benefits to there dependent a and the 33 has the book and housing stipen if they are full time. If you are done then I would suggest you make the change. If you have more questions let me know.
Chief Patton

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 11:36 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 23:36:47 -0400

Capt Carr, You can still transfer to your kids as long you didn't used all of your G.I. Bill. The only good thing about Chapter 30 is that if you use it all up then they will give you 12 months of the Post 9/11 which you could give to your kids. I hope I was able to help and when you use it all up you will get your 1200 back from what you put in.

Response by SSG Robert White made May 10 at 2016 2:52 PM

SSG Robert White — Tue, 10 May 2016 14:52:01 -0400

If you were to get a 100% rating from the VA, your kids will get Ch 31 benefit. It isn't a good as the Post GI Bill, but, it's better than nothing. Also if you head you can't work at 100%, don't listen to the Barracks Lawyers. The only people who can't work are those rated 100% for a mental health issue. If you at 100% due to unemployability, the employment must be marginal, not gainful, you can't exceed $11,367 a year. You can't work a full year and must have 90 days off in between employment. The income levers can be found here: http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/data/threshld/index.html.

If someone tells you, you can't work, ask them to show you the regulation. If they reply, "I heard" or "I have a buddy" then run for the hills. What I tell my clients this person is same person who told you that the uniform of the day is to set your hair on fire and run around naked. You didn't listen then and you shouldn't now.

U.S. Census Bureau: Page not found

Our population statistics cover age, sex, race, Hispanic origin, migration, ancestry, language use, veterans, as well as population estimates and projections.

Response by SP5 Archie Aragon made May 17 at 2016 3:32 PM

SP5 Archie Aragon — Tue, 17 May 2016 15:32:19 -0400

I have a question I have 33 months and 18days left on my post 9/11 GI bill and would like to transfer to my child, shes 18 now and when I tried they said I had to do it 30days before I exited the military , only problem is I was not told that when I got out in 2005, is there anyway I can still transfer that to my daughter?