65.6—Procedures.
(a) General—
(1) Eligibility.
The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for determining eligibility for education benefits under the GI Bill. Generally, to be eligible for the GI Bill, individuals must serve on active duty on or after September 11, 2001, for at least 30 continuous days with a discharge due to a service-connected disability; or an aggregate period ranging from 90 days to 36 months or more. See § 65.7 of this part for specific requirements.
(2) Educational assistance benefits.
(i)
Benefits under the GI Bill are based on a percentage, as determined by a Service Member's aggregate length of active duty service.
(A)
Amount of tuition and fees charged, not to exceed the most expensive in-State undergraduate tuition and fees at a public institution of higher learning (tuition and fees paid directly to the school);
(B)
Monthly stipend equal to the basic allowance for housing (BAH) amount payable to a military E-5 with dependents, in the same ZIP code as the school that the student is attending (paid to the individual);
(C)
Yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1000 per year (paid to the individual on a quarter, semester, or term basis, as appropriate); and
(D)
A one-time payment of $500 may be payable to certain individuals relocating from highly rural areas (paid to the individual).
(ii)
“Kickers”, for those who are eligible, will be paid to the individual in conjunction with, and only when receiving, the monthly stipend.
(iii)
The monthly stipend and the books and supplies stipend are not payable to individuals on active duty.
(iv)
The monthly stipend allowance is not payable for those pursuing education and/or training at half time or less or to some individuals taking distance learning. Individuals enrolled at half time or less are eligible for an appropriately reduced stipend for books and supplies. The DVA will determine under what, if any, circumstances an individual will be eligible for the monthly stipend while undertaking distance learning.
(v)
Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits are subject to change based on legislative changes. The benefits are different for educational programs pursued on a full-time basis or at an applicable reduced rate determined by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for less than full-time enrollment.
(vi)
Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits may be used for an approved program of education offered by an Institution of Higher Learning (IHL) This includes graduate and undergraduate training, and some vocational/technical training programs. DVA is the final authority on program eligibility.
(vii)
Individuals may receive tutorial assistance (up to $100 per month, not to exceed a total of $1,200) and reimbursement of one licensing and certification test (not to exceed a total of $2,000).
(viii)
Additionally, individuals who were eligible for MGIB, MGIB-SR, or REAP, and elect to use benefits under the GI Bill will be eligible to receive benefits for programs approved under those provisions but not offered by IHLs, such as on-the-job training, apprenticeship training, correspondence courses, flight training, preparatory courses, and national exams at the benefit rate for MGIB, MGIB-SR, or REAP, as appropriate.
(3) Benefits for individuals pursuing education on active duty.
Educational assistance is payable under the Post-9/11 GI Bill Program for pursuit of an approved program of education while on active duty.
(i)
The amount of educational assistance payable shall be the lesser of the amount of assistance authorized in the manner specified under section 3014(b)(1) of title 38, U.S.C., or the established institutional charges for tuition and fees required in similar circumstances of non-veterans enrolled in the same program.
(ii)
Concurrent Use of Post-9/11 GI Bill and Tuition Assistance (commonly called “Top Up”). In accordance with section 3313(e) of title 38, U.S.C., a Service member entitled to basic educational assistance who is pursuing education or training described in subsection (a) or (c) of section 2007 of title 10, U.S.C., may use, at their discretion, Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to meet all or a portion of the charges of the educational institution for the education or training that are not paid by the Secretary of the Military Department concerned under such subsection. DVA shall administer fully that portion of the Post-9/11 GI Bill Program.
(4) Time limitation.
As a general rule, eligible individual entitlements expire at the end of a 15-year period beginning on the Service member's last date of discharge or release from active duty of at least 90 consecutive days (30 days if released or discharged for service-connected disability). The Secretary of the Military Department concerned shall determine the last date of discharge or release, if such date cannot be determined clearly from the Service member's records.
(5) Issues for Members with Entitlement to Existing Education Programs—
(i) Members Eligible for Existing Programs.
An individual may elect to receive educational assistance under chapter 33 of title 38, U.S.C., if such individual, as of August 1, 2009,
(A)
Is entitled to basic educational assistance under MGIB, and has used, but retains unused, entitlement under chapter 30 of title 38, U.S.C.;
(B)
Is entitled to educational assistance under EATP, MGIB-SR, or REAP, and has used, but retains unused, entitlement under the applicable program;
(C)
Is entitled to basic educational assistance under MGIB, but has not used any entitlement under chapter 30 of title 38, U.S.C.;
(D)
Is entitled to educational assistance under EATP, MGIB-SR, or REAP, but has not used any entitlement under such program;
(E)
Is a member of the Armed Forces who is eligible for receipt of basic educational assistance under MGIB, and is making contributions toward such assistance under sections 3011(b) or 3012(c) of title 38, U.S.C.; or
(F)
Is a member of the Armed Forces who is not entitled to basic educational assistance under MGIB, by reason of an election under sections 3011(c)(1) or 3012(d)(1) of title 38, U.S.C.; and
(G) As of the date of the individual's election under paragraph (a)(5)(i)), meets the requirements for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 33 of title 38, U.S.C.
(ii) Election Process. The method and process of making such election will be determined by DVA.
(iii) Irrevocability of Election. An election made under paragraph (a)(5(i)) of this section is irrevocable.
(iv) An individual entitled to educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill who is also eligible for educational assistance under the MGIB (chapters 30, 31, 32, or 35 of title 38, U.S.C.), EATP (chapter 106A of title 10, U.S.C.), MGIB-SR (chapter 1606 of title 10, U.S.C.), REAP (chapter 1607 of title 10, U.S.C.), or the provisions of the Hostage Relief Act of 1980 ( section 5561 note of title 5, U.S.C.) may not receive assistance under two or more such programs concurrently, but shall elect (in such form and manner as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may prescribe) under which chapter or provisions to receive educational assistance.
(v) Cessation of pay reduction under Montgomery GI Bill.
Effective as of the first month beginning on or after the date of an election under paragraph (a)(5(i)) of this section, an individual having their pay reduced under the provisions of sections 3011(b) or 3012(c) of title 38, U.S.C., as applicable, shall have that pay reduction ceased, and the requirements of such section shall be deemed no longer applicable to the individual.
(vi) Refund of pay reduction under Montgomery GI Bill.
An individual who is described in paragraph (a)(5(i)) of this section, whose pay was reduced under the provisions of sections 3011(b) or 3012(c) of title 38, U.S.C., will receive a refund of that pay reduction subject to the following:
(B)
A refund reduced by a proportion calculated by the number of months of MGIB benefits remaining at the time of election divided by 36.
(C)
The refund will be added to the monthly stipend allowance paid in the last month of eligibility under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Individuals who do not exhaust entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill will not receive a refund of the pay reduction.
(vii) Treatment of certain contributions under MGIB and REAP (commonly called
(A)
There is no provision to allow for increasing the amount allowed for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits based on any contributions made by an individual under the provisions of section 3015(g) of title 38, U.S.C.
(B)
There is no provision to allow for increasing the amount allowed for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits based on any contributions made by an individual under the provisions of section 16162(f) of title 10, U.S.C.
(viii) Limitation on entitlement for certain individuals.
In the case of an individual eligible for MGIB who has used but retains unused entitlement, making an election to receive benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the number of months of entitlement of the individual to educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill shall be the number of months equal to the number of months of unused entitlement of the individual under MGIB as of the date of the election.
(ix) Additional educational and training availability.
In addition to the educational benefits as described in paragraph (a)(2)(vi) of this section, individuals who were eligible for benefits under MGIB, MGIB-SR, or REAP, and elect to use benefits under the GI Bill, will be eligible to receive benefits for on-the-job training, apprenticeship training, correspondence courses, flight training, preparatory courses, and national exams at the benefit rate for MGIB, MGIB-S, or REAP, as approriate.
(x) Treatment of existing supplemental educational benefits (Kickers).
Individuals eligible for kickers under either MGIB or MGIB-SR will remain eligible for such increased educational assistance. The payments shall be based upon the applicable monthly rate for the kickers. Payments shall be lump sum and made on a quarter, semester, or term basis as determined by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
(b) Supplemental educational assistance (“kickers”)—
(1) Enlistment kickers.
The Secretaries of the Military Departments may offer an increase to the monthly amount of educational assistance otherwise payable to the individual under paragraph (1)(B) of section 3313(c) of title 38, U.S.C., or under paragraphs (2) through (7) of such section 3313(c) of title 38, U.S.C. (as applicable), for members who initially enlist in a regular component in a skill or specialty in which there is a critical shortage of personnel or for which it is difficult to recruit. These increases in the monthly amount are known as enlistment kickers.
(ii)
The use of enlistment kickers should be based on the criticality of the skill and/or the length of enlistment commitment and may be offered in amounts from $150 per month to $950 per month in increments of $100. Reporting codes for enlistment kickers are listed in Appendix A to this part.
(2) Affiliation kickers.
(i)
The Secretaries of the Military Departments may offer an increase to the monthly amount of educational assistance otherwise payable to the individual under paragraph (1)(B) of section 3313(c) of title 38, U.S.C., or under paragraphs (2) through (7) of such section 3313(c) of title 38, U.S.C. (as applicable), to a member who is separating honorably from a regular component and who agrees to serve in the Selected Reserve in a skill, specialty, or unit in which there is a critical shortage of personnel or for which it is difficult to recruit and/or retain.
(ii)
The use of affiliation kickers should be based on the criticality of the skill and/or unit and the length of Selected Reserve commitment, and may be offered in amounts from $150 per month to $950 per month in increments of $100. If an individual is already eligible for an enlistment kicker, the amount of the Affiliation Kicker is limited to the amount that would take the total to $950. For those individuals who are offered an Affiliation Kicker on top of an Enlistment Kicker, the increases will be in $100 increments. Reporting codes for Affiliation Kickers are the same as the codes for Enlistment Kickers listed in Appendix A to this part.
(3) Reenlistment kickers.
(i)
The Secretaries of the Military Departments may offer an increase to the monthly amount of educational assistance otherwise payable to the individual under paragraph (1)(B) of section 3313(c) of title 38, U.S.C., or under paragraphs (2) through (7) of such section 3313.(c) of title 38, U.S.C. (as applicable), to a member who, after completing the initial term of service, elects to remain on active duty for a period of at least 2 years.
(ii)
The use of reenlistment kickers should be based on the criticality of the skill and may be offered in amounts from $100 per month to $300 per month in increments of $100, based on length of additional service. Reporting codes for reenlistment kickers are listed in appendix A to this part.
(4) Limitations.
Since kickers are paid in conjunction with the monthly stipend paid under section (1)(B)(i) of section 3313(c) of title 38, U.S.C., members eligible for kickers should be aware of the limitations on payment.
(c) Transferability of unused education benefits to family members.
Subject to the provisions of this section, the Secretaries of the Military Departments, to promote recruitment and retention of members of the Armed Forces, may permit an individual described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, who is entitled to educational assistance under this Post-9/11 GI Bill to elect to transfer to one or more of the family members specified, all or a portion of such individual's entitlement to such assistance.
(1) Eligible individuals.
Any member of the Armed Forces on or after August 1, 2009 who, at the time of the approval of the individual's request to transfer entitlement to educational assistance under this section, is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and
(i)
Has at least 6 years of service in the Armed Forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of election and agrees to serve 4 additional years in the Armed Forces from the date of election, or
(ii)
Has at least 10 years of service in the Armed Forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of election and either standard policy (Service or DoD) or statute preclude the Service member from committing to 4 additional years and agrees to serve for the maximum amount of time allowed by such policy or statute, or
(iii)
Is or becomes retirement eligible during the period from August 1, 2009, through August 1, 2013, and agrees to serve the additional period, if any, specified in paragraphs (c)(1)(iii)(A) through (c)(1)(iii)(E) of this section. A Service Member is considered to be retirement eligible if he or she has completed 20 years of active Federal service or 20 qualifying years as computed under section 12732 of title 10, U.S.C.
(A)
For those individuals eligible for retirement on August 1, 2009, no additional service is required.
(B)
For those individuals who have an approved retirement date after August 1, 2009, and before July 1, 2010, no additional service is required.
(C)
For those individuals eligible for retirement after August 1, 2009, and before August 1, 2010, 1 year of additional service is required.
(D)
For those individuals eligible for retirement on or after August 1, 2010 and before August 1, 2011, 2 years of additional service is required.
(E)
For those individuals eligible for retirement on or after August 1, 2011, and before August 1, 2012, 3 years of additional service is required.
(2) Eligible family members.
(i)
An individual approved to transfer an entitlement to educational assistance under this section may transfer the individual's entitlement to:
(C)
A combination of the individuals referred to in paragraphs (c)(2)(i)(A) and (c)(2)(i)(B) of this section.
(ii)
A family member must be enrolled in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System (DEERS) and be eligible for benefits, at the time of transfer to receive transferred educational benefits.
(iii)
A child's subsequent marriage will not affect his or her eligibility to receive the educational benefit; however, after an individual has designated a child as a transferee under this section, the individual retains the right to revoke or modify the transfer at any time.
(iv)
A subsequent divorce will not affect the transferee's eligibility to receive educational benefits; however, after an individual has designated a spouse as a transferee under this section, the eligible individual retains the right to revoke or modify the transfer at any time.
(3) Months of transfer.
Months transferred must be in whole months. The Secretary of Defense may limit the months of entitlement that may be transferred to no less than 18 months. The number of months of benefits transferred by an individual under this section may not exceed the lesser of:
(4) Transferee usage.
Dependent use of transferred educational benefits is subject to the following:
(A)
May start to use the benefit only after the individual making the transfer has completed at least 6 years of service in the Armed Forces.
(B)
May use the benefit while the member remains in the Armed Forces or after separation from active duty after completing the additional service required to transfer the educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill referred to in paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
(C)
Is subject to the same 15-year limitation as the member as stipulated in paragraph (a)(4) of this section.
(A)
May start to use the benefit only after the individual making the transfer has completed at least 10 years of service in the Armed Forces.
(B)
May use the benefit while the member remains in the Armed Forces or after separation from active duty after completing the additional service required to transfer the educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill referred to in paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
(C)
May not use the benefit until they have met the requirements of a secondary school diploma (or equivalency certificate), or reached 18 years of age.
(D)
Is not subject to the time limitation in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, but may not use the benefit after reaching 26 years of age.
(A)
Is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 33 of title 38, U.S.C. in the same manner as the individual from whom the entitlement was transferred.
(B)
Is not eligible for the monthly stipend or books and supplies stipend while the sponsor is serving on active duty.
(A)
Is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 33 of title 38, U.S.C, in the same manner as the individual from whom the entitlement was transferred as if the individual were not on active duty.
(B)
Is entitled to the monthly stipend and books and supplies stipend even if the eligible individual is on active duty.
(6) Designation of transferee.
An individual transferring an entitlement to educational assistance under this section shall, through notification to the Secretary of the Military Department concerned as specified in paragraph (c)(9) of this section:
(7) Time for transfer, revocation, and modification—
(i) Time for transfer.
An individual approved to transfer entitlement to educational assistance under this section may transfer such entitlement to the individual's dependent only while serving as a member of the Armed Forces.
(ii) Modification or revocation.
(A)
An individual transferring entitlement under this section may modify or revoke at any time the transfer of any unused portion of the entitlement so transferred.
(1) An individual may add new dependents, modify the number of months of the transferred entitlement for existing dependents, or revoke transfer of the entitlement while serving in the Armed Forces.
(2) An individual may not add dependents after retirement or separation from the Armed Forces, but may modify the number of months of the transferred entitlement for existing dependents or revoke transferred benefits after retirement or separation for those family members who had received transferred benefits prior to separation or retirement.
(B)
The modification or revocation of the transfer of entitlement under this section shall be made by submitting notice of the action to both the Secretary of the Military Department concerned and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Additions, modifications or revocations made while in the Armed Forces will be made through the Transferability of Educational Benefits (TEB) Web site as described in paragraph (c)(9) of this section. Modifications or revocations after separation from the Armed Forces will be accomplished with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(8) Additional administrative matters—
(i) Use.
The use of any entitlement to educational assistance transferred under this section shall be charged against the entitlement of the individual making the transfer at the rate of 1 month for each month of transferred entitlement that is used.
(ii) Death of transferor.
The death of an individual transferring an entitlement under this section shall not affect the use of the entitlement by the dependent to whom the entitlement is transferred.
(iii) Scope of use by transferees.
The purposes for which a dependent to whom entitlement is transferred under this section may use such entitlement shall include the pursuit and completion of the requirements of a secondary school diploma (or equivalency certificate).
(iv) Joint and several liability.
In the event of an overpayment of educational assistance with respect to a dependent to whom entitlement is transferred under this section, the dependent and the individual making the transfer shall be jointly and severally liable to the United States for the amount of the overpayment for purposes of section 3685 of title 38, U.S.C.
(v) Failure to complete service agreement.
(A)
Except as provided in paragraph (c)(8)(v)(B) of this section, if an individual transferring entitlement under this section fails to complete the service agreed to by the individual under paragraph (c)(1) of this section in accordance with the terms of the agreement of the individual under that section, the amount of any transferred entitlement under this section that is used by a dependent of the individual as of the date of such failure shall be treated as an overpayment of educational assistance (see paragraph (c)(8)(iv) of this section) and will be subject to collection by DVA.
(B)
Paragraph (c)(8)(v)(A) of this section shall not apply in the case of an individual who fails to complete service agreed to by the individual due to:
(1) The death of the individual,
(2) Discharge or release from active duty for a medical condition which pre-existed the service of the individual and was not service connected,
(3) Discharge or release from active duty for hardship as determined by the Secretary of the Military Department concerned,
(4) Discharge or release from active duty for a physical or mental condition not a disability and that did not result from the individual's own willful misconduct, but did interfere with the performance of duty.
(9) Procedures.
All requests and transactions for individuals who remain in the Armed Forces will be completed through the Transferability of Educational Benefits (TEB) Web application at https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/TEB/. The TEB Users Manual will provide instruction for enrollment; verification; and additions, changes, and revocations. Modifications or revocations after separation from the Armed Forces will be accomplished with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(10) Regulations.
The Secretaries of the Military Departments concerned shall prescribe regulations for the purposes of administering the transferability of unused education entitlements to family members in accordance with this part. Such regulations shall specify:
(i)
The manner of verifying and documenting the additional service commitment, if any, under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, to be authorized to transfer education benefits.
(ii)
The manner of determining eligibility to be authorized to transfer entitlements as allowed in paragraph (c)(1)(i), (c)(1)(ii) or (c)(1)(iii) of this section.