Can I use my dad’s education benefits even though he didn’t transfer them?

Military Law Discussions
1

Hey, I’m in a bit of a bind. My dad retired from the USMC back in 2008 after 32 years. He never transferred or used any of his education benefits. I’m 36 now, and he retired when I was 20. He was involved in Desert Shield/Storm and went to Afghanistan in 2002. He’s now 100% disabled, but the VA hasn’t labeled it as permanent yet. Does anyone know if I can use any of his benefits? Also, are there any other education benefits I might be able to get?

2

I’m not an expert, but I think you might be able to use your dad’s benefits if he was eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Even though he didn’t transfer them, some benefits might still apply to you. You should check with the VA to see if you qualify.

3

@Kelby
Thanks! I’ll definitely look into it. I wasn’t sure if his disability would impact anything with that.

4

If your dad was eligible for the GI Bill but didn’t transfer the benefits, you might still be able to apply for education assistance under the ‘Children of Veterans’ program. The VA sometimes has other options available depending on his service and disability status.

5

@Harley
I didn’t know about that program! I’ll check it out. Thanks for the heads up!

6

I think you can still get some benefits through the VA even if your dad didn’t transfer them. I believe the VA offers education assistance for children of veterans with 100% disability. It might be a long shot, but definitely worth asking about.

7

@Keir
I’ll reach out to them and ask. Appreciate the help! Hopefully, it works out.

8

You might want to look into the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program. It provides benefits to children of veterans who are 100% disabled. It’s worth asking the VA about this specific program.

9

@Frankie
Oh, that sounds like something I should definitely check out. Thanks!

10

I think you should be able to get something even if your dad didn’t use or transfer his education benefits. VA benefits can be complicated, but it seems like you might qualify for some type of assistance.

11

@Tatum
I hope so. I’ll reach out to them soon and see what they say. Thanks for the reassurance!