VET Extension Act Offers Up to 15 Extra Months of GI Bill Benefits for Remedial Courses and Adds Flexibility for Future Dependents

This legislation, titled the Veterans Education and Transfer Extension Act of 2025 (VET Extension Act), is designed to tackle two major pain points for service members and veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill. First, it offers a crucial lifeline to veterans who burn through their benefits on mandatory remedial or deficiency courses. Second, it fixes a frustrating rule that prevented service members from transferring their benefits to dependents they didn't have yet.

When the Clock Runs Out: Up to 15 Extra Months of Benefits

If you’re a veteran using the Post-9/11 GI Bill to go back to school, you know those 36 months of entitlement feel like gold. But what happens if the college requires you to take a few non-credit, remedial courses (like basic math or writing) before you can start your actual degree program? Those preparatory courses eat into your limited benefit time, and sometimes, you run out of funding before you can finish your degree. This bill addresses that head-on.

Under Section 3, eligible veterans can receive an increase in educational assistance equal to the lesser of 15 months or the time needed to complete those required remedial or deficiency courses. Think of it as a safety net. To qualify, you must have already exhausted your standard entitlement, be currently pursuing your program at an institution of higher learning, and have completed or attempted to complete the necessary remedial courses. This provision ensures that veterans aren't effectively penalized for needing preparatory coursework, making it easier to earn that degree without hitting a financial wall.

Future-Proofing Your Benefits Transfer

Section 4 addresses a long-standing frustration for active-duty service members. Previously, if you were eligible to transfer your GI Bill benefits but didn't have a spouse or child yet, you couldn't designate a future dependent. If you waited until after you left the service to have kids, you were often out of luck—the transfer window had closed. This bill changes that.

The VET Extension Act allows a service member who doesn't currently have an eligible dependent to choose to transfer a portion of their entitlement to a dependent they might acquire later. They must officially designate the specific dependent when that person becomes eligible. This removes a significant administrative hurdle and gives service members far more flexibility in planning their family and educational finances. It also allows individuals to change the designated dependent at any point before the entitlement period ends, adding another layer of practical flexibility for changing family situations.