Gather necessary documents. This may include DD Form 214, transcripts for all education after high school, and a kicker contract. The DD Form 214 is your discharge paperwork and will provide you with specific dates needed to fill out the application for benefits. A kicker contract, which can increase a veterans GI Bill payments, may not always apply. For some branches, this will be a part of the enlistment contract and not everyone elects to sign up for it.
Navigate to the U.S. Department of Veterans affair website (see Resources) and click "Launch VONAPP and apply for benefits." Then click "Start VONAPP" to begin the application process.
Read through the instructions on the screen and click "Continue" after each page.
Select "Sign up now" to register for a login name and password when you get to a login page.
Select "Education benefits" from the drop-down menu and then click "Add."
Read through instruction pages and click "Continue" after each.
Click "Yes" to verify that you have read the privacy statement.
Select which GI Bill you would like to apply for.
Fill in each field on the application using your personal information and the dates provided on your DD Form 214.
Click "Submit" to send in your application. Print a copy for your records.