DD Form 2788, Child Annuitant’s School Certification
DD Form 2788 lets a child receiving a Survivor Benefit Plan annuity keep payments between ages 18 and 22 by certifying full-time school enrollment. Fill in the official PDF below and download it for DFAS.
This is the genuine DoD PDF, unmodified. Source: DoD official page.
What is DD Form 2788?
DD Form 2788, Child Annuitant’s School Certification, is the form the Defense Finance and Accounting Service uses to continue an annuity for a child beneficiary who has turned 18. Child annuities under programs such as the Survivor Benefit Plan normally end at 18, but they can continue up to age 22 while the child is an unmarried, full-time student.
The form collects the student’s information, the school, and the enrollment period, along with certifications that the information is accurate. DFAS uses it both to start the extended payments and to verify continued enrollment at intervals, so annuitants may complete it more than once during their school years.
Who files DD Form 2788?
- Child annuitants aged 18 to 22 receiving SBP or similar survivor payments while enrolled in school full time
- Parents or guardians completing the certification on behalf of a student annuitant
- Students returning a periodic recertification that DFAS mailed to them
- School officials asked to certify the enrollment portion when required
How to fill out DD Form 2788
- Fill in the annuitant information: the student’s name, Social Security number, and the deceased member’s details.
- Enter the school’s name and address and the enrollment period being certified.
- Complete the certification blocks, including the student’s intent to attend full time.
- Sign and date the form; have a school official complete their portion if DFAS requires it for your situation.
- Download the PDF and send it to DFAS using the address or upload channel shown in the form instructions or your DFAS correspondence.
Quick fill DD Form 2788 on this page
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Frequently asked questions
When should the certification reach DFAS?
Send it before the child turns 18 if school will continue, and respond promptly to any recertification request. Gaps in certification can suspend payments until DFAS confirms enrollment, after which back payments are typically restored.
What ends a student annuity early?
Marriage, dropping below full-time status, or leaving school generally ends eligibility, and DFAS must be notified. Reporting a change late can create a debt the annuitant has to repay.
Does summer break stop payments?
Normal breaks between terms do not usually interrupt the annuity as long as the student intends to return full time for the next term. Tell DFAS if plans change.