If I’m Using My GI Bill for an Apprenticeship Program, Will I Still Get Paid My Kicker?
Q: I have the GI Bill Kicker, and am going to start using my benefits for an apprenticeship I am in. Does the kicker still apply? I know I need to send in the documentation (though they should have it, I’ve sent it in to them for a letter of eligibility before this, just never used it).
A: It depends on what you are calling “the GI Bill Kicker” and which GI Bill you are using. If you are using the Post 9/11 GI Bill and paid up to $600 into the Buy-Up program, then you can’t use that “kicker “, but you can with the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB). If you paid the maximum into the Buy-Up program, then you could increase your $1,648 monthly MGIB payment by an additional $150 per month.
Some service branches refer to their College Fund as a GI Bill Kicker. If that is what you have, then you can use it with either GI Bill. And then there is the true GI Bill Kicker – the one you received when you first enlisted into either a critical MOS or critical unit. That too can be used with either GI Bill.
Even though you sent in your Kicker documentation once already, send it in again when you submit your VA Form 22-1990 from the eBenefits website. That way they’ll have it right there with your request and won’t have to go hunting for it though your records. Making it as easy as you can for them would most likely will speed up your Certificate of Eligibility.
Also, don’t forget to hand in a copy of your certificate when you register for classes. That way, your school will know you are a GI Bill student, send in a Certificate of Enrollment to the VA on your behalf, and get the payment process started.