Posted on Jun 6, 2015
Need advice on converting from Chapter 30 to Post 9/11 GI Bill in order to TEB (Transfer Education Benefits) to my kids
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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
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
GI Bill
Education
Benefits
College
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 8
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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
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
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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?
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?
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Capt (Join to see)
Maybe it allowed for you to convert, but not for the Transfer of Education Benefits to dependents-which is what I am looking to do if I don't use up my GI Bill. This is from the GI Bill website:
ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS
Any member of the Armed Forces (active duty or Selected Reserve, officer or enlisted) on or after August 1, 2009, who is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and:
• Has at least six years of service in the armed forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of approval and agrees to serve four additional years in the armed forces from the date of election.
• Has at least 10 years of service in the armed forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of approval, is precluded by either standard policy (by Service Branch or DoD) or statute from committing to four additional years, and agrees to serve for the maximum amount of time allowed by such policy or statute.
• Is or becomes retirement-eligible and agrees to serve an additional four years of service on or after Aug. 1, 2012. A Servicemember is considered to be retirement-eligible if he or she has completed 20 years of active federal service or 20 qualifying years as computed (pursuant to section 12732 of title 10 U.S.C.).
• Transfer requests must be submitted and approved while the member is on active duty only
ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS
Any member of the Armed Forces (active duty or Selected Reserve, officer or enlisted) on or after August 1, 2009, who is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and:
• Has at least six years of service in the armed forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of approval and agrees to serve four additional years in the armed forces from the date of election.
• Has at least 10 years of service in the armed forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of approval, is precluded by either standard policy (by Service Branch or DoD) or statute from committing to four additional years, and agrees to serve for the maximum amount of time allowed by such policy or statute.
• Is or becomes retirement-eligible and agrees to serve an additional four years of service on or after Aug. 1, 2012. A Servicemember is considered to be retirement-eligible if he or she has completed 20 years of active federal service or 20 qualifying years as computed (pursuant to section 12732 of title 10 U.S.C.).
• Transfer requests must be submitted and approved while the member is on active duty only
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
Capt (Join to see) Sounds like it's the Transferring that is likely the issue. I didn't transfer, just converted. The two pieces are "independent" but intertwined.
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CPO (Join to see)
It is 36 months not 48. And you have to have four years of service to be able to transfer to dependents, so waiting until the last min. will be to late.
Chief Patton
Chief Patton
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SSG Robert White
The 48 month total benefit was changed in March (per St. Mary's College Vet Counselor - in Frederic Md).
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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.
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