Military Benefits: Health Care, VA Home Loan and GI Bill

Military benefits are a big reason people enlist — and a place where a lot of social media exaggerates. Here are three of the biggest, explained with what the official sources actually say, including the conditions that usually get left out.

1. Health care: TRICARE Prime

TRICARE is the military's health program, run by the Defense Health Agency. For TRICARE Prime, the official site states:

• Active-duty service members pay nothing out of pocket.
• Active-duty family members pay nothing unless they use the point-of-service option.

So the accurate version of "free health care" is: free for the service member on active duty, and no out-of-pocket cost for the family in Prime as long as they follow its rules.

2. The VA home loan: no down payment, with conditions

The VA backs home loans made by private lenders to eligible service members and veterans. According to the VA, a VA-backed purchase loan often offers:

• No down payment, as long as the sale price isn't higher than the home's appraised value.
• No private mortgage insurance (PMI), which conventional loans usually require with less than 20% down.
• Fewer closing costs, which may be paid by the seller, and no penalty for paying the loan off early.

The conditions that matter:

• You need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and must meet the VA's and the lender's standards for credit and income.
• You must live in the home.
• There's a one-time VA funding fee, which you can pay at closing or include in the loan:

(Rates for VA-backed purchase and construction loans. Some borrowers don't pay the fee at all — for example, those receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability, or active-duty members who received a Purple Heart.)

3. The GI Bill — and passing it to your family

The Post-9/11 GI Bill can pay tuition, a monthly housing allowance and up to $1,000 a year for books, according to the VA. The detail most people get wrong is transferring it to family:

• The Department of Defense decides whether you can transfer it.
• You need at least 6 years of service when the request is approved and must agree to serve 4 more.
• Your spouse can use transferred benefits right away.
• Your children can start using them only after you've completed at least 10 years of service, and must be under 26.

Full details: The Post-9/11 GI Bill Explained.

The allowances on top of pay

Two more pieces are part of regular military compensation: the food allowance (BAS) — $476.95 a month for enlisted members in 2026, per DFAS — and, for members not provided government housing, the housing allowance (BAH). See Military Pay 2026 and BAH Explained.

Where the ASVAB comes in

Every one of these benefits starts with enlisting, and enlisting starts with your AFQT. Our free practice test gives you an AFQT estimate from the four AFQT sections, with the computer version's time limits — a practice estimate, not an official score.

ASVABIFY is a study app, not affiliated with the Department of Defense or the VA. Benefit rules change; confirm your own eligibility with TRICARE and the VA.

Quick answers

Is military health care free?

For active-duty service members in TRICARE Prime, there are no out-of-pocket costs. Active-duty family members in Prime pay nothing unless they use the point-of-service option.

Does the VA home loan really need no down payment?

Often, yes — as long as the price isn't higher than the appraised value. You still need a Certificate of Eligibility, must meet credit and income standards, and usually pay a one-time funding fee.

How much is the VA funding fee?

For a first-time VA purchase loan with less than 5% down, 2.15% of the loan. After first use, 3.3% with less than 5% down. Some borrowers, like those receiving VA disability compensation, don't pay it.

When can my children use my GI Bill?

After the DoD approves a transfer, children can start using it once you've completed at least 10 years of service, and they must be under 26.

Sources

• TRICARE Prime — TRICARE
• VA-backed purchase loan — VA
• VA funding fee and closing costs — VA
• Transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits — VA
• Post-9/11 GI Bill rates — VA
• Basic Allowance for Subsistence — DFAS