Kids in college? Follow guidelines so Tricare isn’t halted Published Oct. 9, 2007 By Clisson White 81st Medical Support Squadron KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- If your college student turns 21 this year, there are things to do to ensure Tricare coverage isn't interrupted. Tricare covers eligible dependents pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree until age 21. For coverage beyond that age, a student must be enrolled full-time at an accredited institution of higher education and the sponsor must provide more than 50 percent of the student's financial support. The sponsor should visit or call the nearest uniformed identification card-issuing facility for information on necessary documentation needed to ex-tend benefits for college students beyond their 21st birthday. This should be completed two months, but not less than one month, before their 21st birthday, so coverage isn't interrupted. Tricare benefits end when the college student reaches age 23 or graduates, whichever comes first. For example, if a college student turns 23 on Jan. 3, but doesn't graduate until May, the student loses coverage at midnight Jan. 2.