Military Healthcare When Turning 21

Enrollment Verification for Military Healthcare When Turning 21

When military-dependent children reach the age of 21, they must show proof of full-time college/university attendance to the DoD Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) Office to remain on their parent’s military healthcare coverage.

TRICARE requirements for students to retain coverage until age 23 or graduation include the following:

• The “student status” must be reflected in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). You need to register in DEERS to get TRICARE.
• Students need a letter from the registrar’s office to act as proof of full-time enrollment in an accredited college in pursuit of an Associate’s Degree or higher.
• The sponsor must show they provide more than half of the student’s financial support.
  • A properly verified and signed DD Form 1172-2 is required for all dependent enrollments/changes and dependent ID card issuance. The sponsor has the following options to complete the DD Form 1172-2 for their dependents:
    • The sponsor is present with their dependent(s) for ID issuance.
    • The sponsor can fill out DD Form 1172-2 at any DEERS/ID Card facility ahead of the dependent’s visit. Please note that DD Form 1172-2 is only valid for 90 days from the signature.
    • The sponsor gives the dependent General Power of Attorney (POA), and the dependent presents the original General POA at the time of service. The General POA must be original, valid, and unexpired.
    • The sponsor can digitally sign DD Form 1172-2 with CAC using RAPIDS Self-Service (RSS): by signing in through their DS Login and selecting Family ID Cards https://idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/. The dependent will advise the front desk that the DD1172-2 was completed electronically by their sponsor.
    • If the sponsor completes DD Form 1172-2 by hand, it must be notarized and signed by the sponsor. The dependent must present the original DD1172-2.
    • PLEASE NOTE: For college students aged 21-23, the Sponsor must indicate that he/she “provides over 50% support ” in Block 21 of the DD Form 1172-2.
• This information must be provided at an ID card issuing facility at a military base or other installation with DEERS services.

TRICARE Coverage for Adopted Children and Stepchildren

The above will apply to adopted children and stepchildren, but there are additional rules to be aware of. According to the TRICARE official site, the following will apply:

• Step-children are eligible for TRICARE as long as the parent of the child and sponsor remain legally married.
• If the marriage ends in divorce, the step-children lose eligibility on the date the divorce decree is final.
• If the sponsor adopts his or her step-children, TRICARE coverage remains for the adopted children even if the marriage ends in divorce.

Steps for Requesting Enrollment Verification at UMW:

1. Banner SSB –
2. Student and Financial Aid –
3. Student Records –
4. Request Enrollment Verification –
5. Verification Type = “Official” hit Continue –
6. Delivery Method = “Standard Mailing” hit continue –
7. Fill in all the appropriate info, e.g., Fax number or Address, and hit continue –
8. On the next page, hit Submit Request.

Once the Enrollment Verification arrives in the mail, you and your veteran sponsor will need to take the Enrollment Verification letter and two additional forms of ID to the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) Office to get a new DoD ID. Do not try to drop in at any DEERS Office, especially at Quantico or Ft. Belvoir, for a walk-in appointment. Please use the provided link to schedule an appointment at any DEERS Office in the surrounding area.

* Please remember that this new ID will expire when your military-dependent student turns 23, whether they have graduated or not. *