
There are three steps to transfer your GI Bill benefits:
- Register your family members already enrolled in DEERS.
- Visit the Transfer of Education Benefits official website to begin the process
- When approved, your spouse and children can apply to the VA to use transferred benefits. Your family members can apply online. ...
Full Answer
How to transfer a GI Bill to your spouse?
- Be currently on active duty or in the Selected Reserve.
- Have served at least 6 years on the date that GI Bill transfer request is filed, along with agreeing to serve a minimum of 4 more years.
- Have served a minimum of 10 years, but are unable to commit to 4 more years of service because of law. ...
What are the benefits of a transfer GI Bill?
- Effective Jan. ...
- Post 9-11 GI Bill will cover up to 100% of in-state tuition for approved public colleges. ...
- All eligible dependents, once the transfer has been approved, may use benefits either while the service member is still active duty or after retirement
- Spouses may start using transferred benefits immediately
How to transfer my GI Bill benefits?
xVisit http://www.defense.gov. Search “Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.” (non-VA Link) x Transfer Process - While in the armed forces, transferors will use the milConnect website to designate, modify, and revoke a Transfer of Entitlement request. https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/ (non-VA Link). Eligible Individuals . You must first be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. You must also be a member of the
How to extend your GI Bill benefits?
You can receive up to 36 months of benefits, including:
- Tuition and fees. If you qualify for the maximum benefit, we’ll cover the full cost of public, in-state tuition and fees. ...
- Money for housing (if you’re in school more than half time). ...
- Money for books and supplies. ...
- Money to help you move from a rural area to go to school. ...

Can I transfer my GI Bill benefits to my spouse?
A: As an eligible Service member, you can transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to your spouse, your children, or any combination of eligible family members. Children enrolled in DEERS can receive transferred benefits: From age 18 through 20. From age 21 through 22, if they have full-time student status.
How long does it take to transfer GI Bill to spouse?
Using The Benefits Start the process by filling out VA Form 22-1990E (Application for Family Member to Use Transferred Benefits) or by using the much easier online form. Within about 30 days, you'll either receive a Certificate of Eligibility in the mail.
How do I transfer GI Bill benefits?
Have your family members apply to use their transferred benefits by submitting VA Form 22-1990E to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). They can complete the form online, or to complete it on paper, download the PDF. Or they can call the VA for education benefits information at 1-888-GIBILL1.
Can a spouse use a Veterans GI Bill?
If you are approved to transfer your unused Post-9/11 GI Bill to your spouse, your spouse will be able to: Use the benefits immediately. Use the benefits while their spouse remains in the Armed Forces or after separation from active duty.
How many times can you transfer GI Bill?
How Much of the GI Bill Benefits Can I Transfer? The military member can transfer up to 36 months of GI Bill benefits and can allocate them among eligible recipients at any time (but only once per month). The service member may also cancel a family member's use of the benefits at any time.
Can I transfer my VA education benefits?
WHAT IS TRANSFERABILITY? The Post-9/11 GI Bill allows Service members to transfer unused education benefits to immediate family members. This applies to officer or enlisted, active duty and Selected Reserve. Qualifying immediate family members are spouses and children.
How long do you have to be married to a veteran to get benefits?
a yearTo qualify for most benefits, the spouse must have been married to the veteran for at least a year. In some cases, if the spouse of a veteran remarries, benefits may be terminated.
Can you transfer GI Bill after separation?
Unfortunately for every person who has asked if they can transfer the post-9/11 GI Bill after getting out of the military, the answer is "no." For now, the transferability option is available only while the service member is still on active duty, and it comes with additional service obligations for most applicants.
Do military spouses get free college?
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Education Assistance Program: The NMCRS Education Assistance Program offers interest-free loans and grants ranging from $500 to $3,000 per academic year to spouses of active-duty and retired service members for undergraduate programs at an accredited two- or four-year institution.
Who qualifies for the Forever GI Bill?
Servicemembers and honorably discharged Veterans who were awarded a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001 will be entitled to Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits at the 100-percent benefit level for up to 36 months. This was effective on August 1, 2018.
Can I transfer my Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits?
You may be able to transfer your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits if you’re on active duty or in the Selected Reserve and you meet all of these requireme...
Who’s covered?
Qualified dependents
What benefits can my qualified dependents get?
If the DoD approves the Transfer of Entitlement (TOE), your spouse or dependent children can apply for up to 36 months of benefits, and may be able...
When can they use the transferred benefits?
These conditions apply to family members using transferred benefits: Spouses May use the benefit right away May use the benefit while you’re on act...
How do I transfer the benefit?
While you’re still on active duty, you’ll request to transfer, change, or revoke a Transfer of Entitlement (TOE) through milConnect. You can’t appl...
Get more information
Go to the milConnect website To find out if you qualify, the status of your transfer request, and how to use the Transfer of Education Benefits (TE...
Who decides if you can transfer GI Bill benefits to your family?
Note:The Department of Defense (DoD) decides whether you can transfer GI Bill benefits to your family.
Can family members apply for TOE?
If the DoD approves the TOE, your family members may apply for benefits.
What to do with GI Bill for spouse?
Once the GI Bill education benefits are transferred and approved, your spouse’s next task will be to find a degree or training program that fits his or her goals. The options are endless, ranging from business degrees to trade skills to professional certifications. When selecting an institution, applicants should investigate GI Bill-friendly colleges offering military tuition assistance, prior learning credits, and military discounts. These schools, such as National University ( www.nu.edu ), can be easily identified, many stating on their websites that they are “army-friendly colleges” or “military-friendly colleges.” Also look for schools like National University that participate in the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon programs.
What is the post 9/11 GI bill?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill has helped millions of servicemembers pursue college degrees, vocational training, and coursework. The Bill has become even more valuable for military families with a recent addition. This new option permits servicemembers to transfer the GI Bill to a spouse or family member, who can take advantage of the education benefits.
How long can you use VA housing benefits?
If the last discharge was before January 1, 2013, the benefit may be used for up to 15 years; otherwise, there is no time limit. Note that families are not eligible for the monthly housing allowance while the servicemember is on active duty. Your spouse may apply to use the education benefits on the Veterans Affairs Website ( www.vets.gov/education) or by completing VA Form 22-1990e.
How many years of active duty are you eligible for transfer?
On active duty or selected reserve. Effective July 20, 2019, transfer eligibility will be limited to servicemembers with less than 16 years of active duty or selected reserve service. Beyond those rules, you must satisfy at least one of these criteria:
Do I need to be enrolled in the DEERS to receive GI Bill?
To receive the education benefits under the GI Bill transfer provision, your husband or wife must be enrolled in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System (DEERS) and be eligible for benefits at the time of transfer.
Can I transfer my GI bill to my spouse?
Now that servicemembers can transfer the GI Bill to a spouse, all or part of any unused education benefits can be gifted as long as the request is completed while serving as an active member of the armed forces.
How to transfer GI Bill to spouse?
First, you need to know that your spouse has to be enrolled in DEERS (Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System) before the benefits can be transferred. The spouse also has to show in that system as being eligible to receive transferred benefits before the transfer can take place. There is additional criteria for the servicemember in order for the benefits to be transferred, including that they obviously have to be eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill themselves, but they also have to meet one of the following criteria:
What is the benefit of the GI Bill?
The GI Bill may enable the spouse to get certified or get a degree that will allow the spouse to get better jobs than they can currently ...
How long can spouses use military benefits?
Remember that spouses may use the benefit for up to 15 years after the servicemember is discharged. While most military families use up the benefits well within that time frame, it’s good to remember that you only have so much time to wait before the benefit will be gone.
Can a spouse use the benefits after divorce?
In the case of a divorce after the benefits have been transferred, the benefits do not instantly become void for the spouse. On the contrary, as long as the active servicemember allows it, the spouse can continue to use the benefit through to depletion.
Can a spouse get a degree with a GI bill?
The GI Bill may enable the spouse to get certified or get a degree that will allow the spouse to get better jobs than they can currently qualify for. Now, it’s important to remember that spouses who are utilizing the GI Bill benefit in place of the veteran are not eligible for the housing portion of the benefit ...
Can a spouse use the transfer benefit?
First, the spouse is able to begin using the benefit as soon as the transfer has been made. The lack of a waiting period is a nice benefit for families who are hoping to have the spouse graduate as soon as possible.
Can a spouse use housing benefits after discharge?
This is an incentive for some families to wait for the spouse to use the benefits until the servicemember is discharged, because then they are eligible for the housing allowance and the servicemember can continue to work elsewhere.
How long does it take to transfer GI Bill benefits to spouse?
Transferring Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to a spouse is permitted when the service member has six years of service and requires that the service member serve another four years. In practice, this means that their current enlistment must take them to at least four years from the date of transfer. Many folks find that they need to wait until re-enlistment to transfer their benefits. Benefits are transferred using the Transfer of Educational Benefits process at the Milconnect website.
How much does the GI bill pay for school?
The GI Bill pays 100% of tuition and fees, up to the maximum in-state tui tion for public schools and up to $22,805.34 per academic year for private or foreign schools. If you attend a more expensive private school, or you are unable to obtain in-state tuition rates for some reason, you may be eligible for additional benefits under the Yellow Ribbon program.
What is the post 9/11 GI bill?
The Post 9/11 GI Bill is one of the most popular benefits of military service, and many families find that they get maximum benefit by transferring those benefits to the service member’s spouse.
How long does it take to get a VA transfer certificate?
Within about 30 days, you’ll either receive a Certificate of Eligibility in the mail. If for some reason, your eligibility was denied, you’ll also receive the denial via the mail.
Why is the GI Bill transfer program important?
The goal of the GI Bill transfer program is to keep mid-career military members in uniform. This is why there are minimum service requirements and why the GI Bill transfer program requires military members to incur more service time.
How long can you split GI Bill benefits?
The maximum limit is 36 months of benefit split any way. However, all those that you assign benefits to must be identified and approved prior to you leaving the military. PRO-TIP: When you sign up for the transfer you should give each family member at least one month of GI Bill benefits.
How long can you use the BAH after you leave the military?
Is eligible for the monthly housing allowance (similar to BAH – see below) after you’ve separated from the military. Can use the benefit for up to 15 years after your separation from active duty.
How long do you have to be on active duty to get GI Bill?
In order to be eligible for the post 9/11 GI Bill, you must have: at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after Sept. 10, 2001. have less than 16 years of active duty or selected reserve service (effective 7/20/2019) and one of the following: still on active duty. are an honorably discharged veteran.
Can I transfer my GI bill to my spouse?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill allows service members to transfer unused education benefits to immediate family members (spouse and children). This is your guide to understand how to transfer your GI Bill to your spouse and dependents.
Who is legally responsible for debt to the VA?
However, if your dependent using transferred benefits drops out of school or ends up owing the VA any money, they are the ones legally responsible for any debt to the VA.
Can my ex-husband use my divorced spouse's benefits?
If you get divorced, your ex-spouse can still use the transferred benefits; however, you can take away or change the transferred benefits at any time, depending on the divorce settlement. If your child gets married it doesn’t affect their eligibility to receive the transferred benefits; however, like with your spouse, ...
How long can you transfer GI Bill benefits?
The military member can transfer up to 36 months of GI Bill benefits and can allocate them among eligible recipients at any time (but only once per month). The service member may also cancel a family member’s use of the benefits at any time.
When will the GI Bill be transferred?
New military rules, passed in 2018, require eligible members to transfer their GI Bill no later than the end of their 16th year of service. This change was originally scheduled to go into effect starting July 12, 2019.
Why was the GI Bill removed?
This eligibility option has been removed because the GI Bill transfer benefit is a retention tool and all currently serving members will have had the option to transfer their benefits leading up to their retirement eligibility. This provision is no longer necessary.
What is the GI Bill?
The GI Bill benefits transfer policy is designed as a retention tool to entice mid-career service members to commit to additional military service. Because of this, eligibility rules target those members based on their service time and eligibility to serve an additional four-year service commitment.
How long can you serve on the GI Bill?
The first version of the law allowed members to transfer their GI Bill if they. “Have at least 10 years service and cannot serve 4 more years because of policy or law, but you agree to serve as long as you are able by law or policy.”.
What is the purpose of the GI Bill transfer program?
The Purpose of the GI Bill Transfer Program. The goal of the GI Bill transfer program is to keep mid-career military members in uniform, which is why there are minimum service requirements and why the GI Bill transfer program requires military members to incur more service time.
How many years of service do you need to serve on the GI Bill?
Have at least 6 years of service on date of GI Bill transfer request, and you agree to serve 4 more years.
How to transfer GI Bill benefits?
Unfortunately, not all military members are eligible for benefits transfer. The following are specific requirements that Post-9/11 GI Bill ® eligible service members must meet in order to transfer their benefits: 1 Be currently on active duty or in the Selected Reserve. 2 Have served at least 6 years on the date that GI Bill transfer request is filed, along with agreeing to serve a minimum of 4 more years. 3 Have served a minimum of 10 years, but are unable to commit to 4 more years of service because of law. In order to qualify, the military member must agree to serve as long as they are legally able. 4 The recipient of the benefit transfer must be enrolled in DEERS.
What is the GI bill?
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website.
What is the post 9/11 GI bill?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill ® Transfer Program was designed to keep mid-career military members in uniform at a time when manpower was required, while still ensuring they could utilize their full GI benefits. For this reason, the bill featured mandatory service time and required that the member still be in the military in order to transfer benefits to their spouse or dependents. Between 2013 and 2015 alone, there was an uptick in transferring Post-9/11 GI Bill ® eligibility to dependents. In 2015, there were 137,509 beneficiaries, up from 135,159 in 2013.
How long can you use the military housing allowance?
Can use the benefit for up to 15 years after separation from active duty.
How long can you use the military benefits?
Can only begin to use the benefit after the military member has completed a minimum of 10 years of service. Can use the benefit while the member is on active duty or after separation. Must have secured secondary school diploma, equivalent certificate, or be at least 18 years of age.
Can I transfer my military benefits?
Unfortunately, not all military members are eligible for benefits transfer. The following are specific requirements that Post-9/11 GI Bill ® eligible service members must meet in order to transfer their benefits:
Can I transfer my GI bill to my spouse?
Start exploring your options now to transfer your GI Bill ® to your spouse and dependents. If you are still serving, you can request a Transfer of Entitlement at the Transfer of Education Benefits website.
How long can you serve on the GI Bill?
So who is eligible for the GI Bill and how do they transfer it? As a general rule, active-duty service members who have served for at least six years can transfer their benefits to a spouse or child if they agree to serve an additional four years.
How long do you have to use your spouse's housing allowance?
Spouses have 15 years from the time the service member leaves active duty to use the benefit. While children don't necessarily have a time limit, they do have to use it before they are 25 years old. If the spouse uses it while the service member is on active duty, he or she won't receive the housing allowance portion.
Can I transfer my GI bill while on active duty?
The first bad news is that you can transfer your post-9/11 GI Bill only while you're on active duty, and then only if you meet the minimum service requirements and are willing to serve an additional service obligation. The good news, if you want to stretch for it, is that you didn't actually miss the boat on transferring it while you were in.

Transfer Eligibility
- Family members must be enrolled in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System (DEERS) and be eligible for benefits at the time of transfer to receive transferred benefits. The option to transfer is open to any member of the armed forces active duty or Selected Reserve, officer or e…
Requesting Transfer
Using Transferred Benefits
GI Bill For Dependents Alleviates Family Education Costs