This is sort of a delicate subject, but my dad was in the military and he has this college fund set up. Tragically, he passed away recently. I could use some guidance on how to navigate this.
I'm sorry to hear about your loss. It's indeed a challenging time and navigating through various processes can understandably feel overwhelming.
The Post 9/11 GI Bill is a college fund typically set up by military personnel for their dependents. If that's what your father had set up, here's a simple breakdown of how to access those benefits.
1. Confirm Your Eligibility: As the child of a deceased veteran, you should qualify for the education benefits your father earned. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs can help confirm your eligibility.
2. Apply For Benefits: You can apply for education benefits through the VA's online system. Here, proving your family relationship to the deceased servicemember is important. So, be prepared to provide the necessary identifying information.
3. Obtain Certificate of Eligibility: If approved, the VA will send you a Certificate of Eligibility, often referred to as COE.
4. Submit your Certificate of Eligibility to your school: Your chosen school will need the COE as proof that you're eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. They will then submit your enrollment information to the VA to start your payments.
Keep in mind that this process might take some time and it can seem daunting, especially considering the circumstances. You might also find it helpful to speak with someone from the VA directly, or a university's student veteran service department, they can provide you personal guidance throughout this process.
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