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How to Transfer Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Joe Wallace

It is not possible to simply choose to transfer your GI Bill benefit to a spouse or dependent; you must meet certain requirements and agree to a new military service commitment for your request to be approved. You must be on active duty to request a GI Bill transfer.

You should also know that the Department of Veterans Affairs does not have the power to approve or deny your GI Bill transfer request. The DoD sets and enforces policy in this area.

You are allowed to apply to transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. You cannot transfer Montgomery GI Bill benefits.

Who Qualifies to Transfer the GI BIll?

You may qualify to transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits if you’re on active duty or serve in the Selected Reserve, and:

• You’ve completed 6 years or more of qualifying service on the date your request is approved.
• You agree to a four-year service commitment as a condition of approval.
• The person you are transferring your benefits to is enrolled in DEERS.

If your spouse or dependent is not registered in DEERS, they cannot receive the transferred benefit.

Your spouse or dependent child may qualify for up to 36 months of benefits, including tuition, a housing stipend, plus funds for books and supplies.

Related: Who Qualifies for the Fry Scholarship?

How to Transfer Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

You must apply for a transfer before retiring or separating from military service. You must have the transfer fully approved while you are still on duty.

Submit transfer applications through the Department of Defense milConnect portal, you will not make this request through the VA. Follow the following steps to begin transferring your Post-9/11 GI Bill:

• Log into to milConnect
• Select Transfer My Education Benefits.
• Apply online for the transfer approval.
• Apply for any “retainability” needed to qualify, meaning you agree to reenlist or to extend a commission for another four years.
• Wait for notification of DoD approval.

Transferring the benefit means choosing a family member or multiple family members. Did you know you can agree to split the benefit in any combination? However, 36 months is still the limit for the entire benefit.

Specifying an End Date

When filling out the form, you may be asked to specify an end date for the transferred benefit.

The VA official site advises applicants to leave the End Date blank, “as the system will provide the latest legal end date allowed.”

Once you specify an end date, the VA cannot extend it. Once you are approved for the transfer, your dependents or spouse may begin the application process for the GI Bill benefit itself…but not before.

When you get your approval, family members may apply for the GI Bill online at the VA official site or by mail. Fill out VA Form 22-1990E and mail it to your nearest VA regional office.

After Your Post-9/11 GI Bill Transfer Is Approved

Once the transfer is approved and your spouse or dependent children have applied for the GI Bill itself, there are guidelines for how the benefit can be used. They include but may not be limited to the following:

• Spouses may use GI Bill immediately while the service member is still on active duty or after separating from service.
• The benefit is offered for up to 15 years after the servicemember retires or separates.
• No monthly housing allowance is paid for those using the GI Bill while the servicemember is still on active duty.
• School-age dependents can use transferred benefits only after the servicemember completes 10 years of service.
• The benefit cannot be used until the student has earned a high school diploma (or equivalency certificate), or has turned 18 years old.
• Dependent children may qualify for the monthly housing allowance even when the servicemember is still on active duty.
• The dependent must use the benefit before turning 26 years old.

Related: Education Benefits for Disabled Veterans

Transferring GI Bill Benefits FAQ

What VA education benefit can be transferred to family members?

The Post-9/11 GI Bill, also known as Chapter 33, is the specific VA education benefit that allows eligible service members to transfer unused education benefits to their immediate family members.

Who is eligible to transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits?

To be eligible to transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, a service member must be on active duty or in the Selected Reserve. They generally must have completed at least six years of service on the date the transfer request is approved and agree to serve an additional four years. The Department of Defense (DOD) is the authority that determines transferability.

If a service member receives a Purple Heart, they are exempt from the service requirement; however, they must still request the transfer while on active duty.

Which family members can receive transferred benefits?

Eligible family members include spouses and children. These individuals must be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) to qualify for transferred benefits. Benefits can be allocated to a spouse, one or more children, or any combination of both.

How does a service member initiate the transfer process?

The initial step for transferring benefits must be taken by the service member. While still on active duty, they are required to request a Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) through the DOD’s milConnect website. The VA itself does not handle this initial transfer request.

What are the requirements for spouses and children to use transferred benefits?

Spouses typically have access to approved transferred benefits once they are available, regardless of whether the service member is on active duty or has separated.

If the service member separated before January 1, 2013, the spouse has 15 years from the date of separation to utilize the benefits. For separations occurring on or after January 1, 2013, there is no time limit for the spouse to use the benefits. It is important to note that spouses are not eligible for the monthly housing allowance while the service member is on active duty.

Children, conversely, can only start using benefits after the service member has completed at least 10 years of service. They must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent, or be at least 18 years old.

Generally, children must use their benefits before reaching the age of 26. Unlike spouses, children may qualify for the monthly housing allowance even if the service member is still on active duty.

How many months of benefits can be transferred?

A service member can request to transfer up to a total of 36 months of their remaining Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits to their eligible dependents.

What happens after the service member’s transfer request is approved by the DOD?

Once the DOD approves the service member’s transfer of benefits, the eligible family member can then submit an application to the VA to use those benefits. This application is typically completed online by signing into a personal Login.gov or ID.me account and filling out VA Form 22-1990e, “Application for Family Member to Use Transferred Benefits.”

Alternatively, the completed VA Form 22-1990e can be mailed to the appropriate VA regional processing office.

Can transferred benefits be modified or revoked?

Yes, the service member who initially transferred the benefits retains the authority to modify or revoke the months transferred to any designated dependent, even after separating from service. However, to add a new dependent, the service member must be currently serving.

What if the service member separates before completing their service obligation for the transfer?

If the service member separates for specific reasons, such as sickness, injury, hardship discharge, a medical condition that prevents them from performing their duties, a disability existing before service, or a reduction in force, their dependents may still retain eligibility to use the benefits. Similarly, if the service member passes away before fulfilling the service requirement, dependents may still be eligible. For other reasons of separation, dependents will generally not be eligible.

What types of education and training programs can transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits be used for?

Transferred benefits can be used for a wide array of education and training programs. This includes pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees, non-college degree programs such as vocational or technical training, flight training, on-the-job training, and apprenticeships, as well as correspondence courses.

Benefits can also cover fees for national standardized tests and for licensing and certification tests.

How does a family member apply to use the transferred benefits?

After the DOD has approved the service member’s transfer request through milConnect, the family member can apply to the VA. The most common method is to apply online via your own Login.gov or ID.me account, completing VA Form 22-1990e.

The completed VA Form 22-1990e can also be mailed to the designated VA regional processing office.

What information and documents are needed to apply for the benefits?

When applying, you will typically need your Social Security number, confirmation of the service member’s approved transferred GI Bill benefits, your current address and contact information, bank account details for direct deposit, and basic information about the school or training program you plan to attend.

What happens after an application is submitted?

After you submit your application, the VA will process it. You might receive an immediate decision. If your application is approved, you will be sent a Certificate of Eligibility or an award letter, which will specify the number of months of benefits you can use and any applicable time limit.

If more information is needed, the VA will contact you. Since processing can take time, it is advisable to apply at least 30 days before your intended enrollment start date.

How are payments for tuition and fees handled?

For approved programs at colleges or universities, the VA typically sends payments for tuition and mandatory fees directly to your school. There are annual maximum limits on these payments, which vary based on the type of institution (e.g., public, private, foreign) and whether you are eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program for costs exceeding the maximum.

Are there situations in which the full Monthly Housing Allowance may not be received?

Several factors can influence the MHA amount. Spouses generally do not receive MHA if the service member is still on active duty, though children may qualify for MHA even if the service member is active.

If you are enrolled half-time or less, you typically will not receive MHA. For courses taken entirely online, the MHA will be 50% of the national average MHA.

Is money provided for books and supplies?

Yes, you may be eligible for an annual book and supply stipend, which is typically paid at the beginning of each academic term or enrollment period. This stipend can be up to $1,000 per academic year, prorated based on your percentage of benefit eligibility and your enrollment status.

What if academic support is needed?

If you are experiencing difficulty with your coursework, you may be eligible for tutorial assistance, up to a certain maximum amount, to help cover the costs of tutoring.