There is good news for those of you out there who are eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill — you may be eligible to transfer your GI Bill to a spouse or child if you meet the minimum service requirements and agree to extend your military service obligation.
There are certain limitations, and new rules passed in July, 2018 (effective starting July 12, 2019) require members to transfer their GI bill no later than the end of their 16th year of service. Additionally, all members must be eligible to serve an additional four years in order to transfer their GI Bill benefits to a family member.
More information on GI Bill transfer eligibility is found below.
Update: Additional changes may be coming soon to transferred GI Bill benefits. Recent legislation would cut the Monthly Housing Allowance in half if the benefit is transferred to children (those who have already made the transfer will be grandfathered into the current system with a 100% housing allowance for children). Those who are thinking about transferring this benefit should do so ASAP to avoid reduced benefits for their children. Read more about the GI Bill transfer changes.
Who Can Transfer GI Bill Benefits
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.
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 goes into effect starting July 12, 2019 and applies to all current military members and their families.
Post-9/11 GI Bill Transfer Eligibility Rules:
You can only transfer GI Bill benefits if you are eligible for the Post 9-11 GI Bill and you meet one of the following criteria:
- Have at least 6 years of service on date of GI Bill transfer request, and you agree to serve 4 more years.
- Are eligible to serve an additional 4 years of military service.
- Have not yet completed your 16th year of military service (beginning July 12, 2019).
Note: Each branch can implement the transfer rules based on DoD policy. Please see your Human Resources or personnel office for more information or to start your benefits transfer. Your branch will be able to help you start the transfer process, ensure you are eligible to serve an additional 4 years, and help you extend your service commitment.
Members Who Are No Longer Eligible to Transfer the GI Bill
Changes to the DoD GI Bill Transfer policy have removed the ability for some service members to transfer their GI Bill to family members. These changes have been made in keeping with the intent of the GI Bill transfer policy, which is to serve as a retention tool.
No Longer Eligible – Retirement Eligible Service Members:
The original law grandfathered in certain service members near retirement if they were not able to serve an additional 4-year service commitment. The original bill allowed those who
- “Are retirement eligible from August 1, 2009 through August 1, 2012 to transfer their GI Bill, provided the member agreed to serve one more year of service starting from the date the GI Bill benefits are transferred.”
Why this provision was removed: This provision was included in the original law to give all current service members the opportunity to transfer their GI Bill to family members. 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. Retirement eligible members can still transfer GI Bill benefits through July 11, 2019, provided they are eligible to extend their service commitment an additional 4 years.
No Longer Eligible – 10+ Years of Service, but Ineligible to Extend 4 More Years:
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.”
Why this provision was removed: This provision was removed with the 2018 policy update. The new policy removed the ability for members to transfer benefits if they cannot extend 4 more years of service. This most frequently impacts those who run into High Year Tenure rules, Time in Grade, mandatory retirement laws, or inability to extend due to medical or administrative reasons. The provision was removed in keeping with the intention of the GI Bill transfer policy, which is to serve as a retention tool.
What to Do if the Transfer Changes Impact You
I’m a big believer in taking advantage of benefits as soon as you are able, just in case policies change. The Post-9/11 GI Bill transfer is a prime example of this.
If you are eligible to transfer the Post-9/11 GI Bill to your family members and are planning on staying in another four years, then don’t wait. This is especially true if you are at or near the 16-year mark (or have already surpassed the 16-year service mark). After July 12, 2019, you will no longer be able to transfer your benefits if you have surpassed 16 years of service.
To top it off, there has been a lot of talk of changing the benefits for dependents who receive the transferred GI Bill benefits. Under current law, children are eligible to receive the monthly housing allowance when they attend school using the GI Bill. There has been discussion of removing that benefit, as it was intended to help the veteran obtain housing after separating from the military; it was not originally intended to pay for housing for dependents. The proposal would eliminate the housing allowance for dependents.
If you are considering transferring the GI Bill to your family members, please do it now.
Remember, you choose how to allocate how your GI Bill benefits are disbursed among your family members and you can revoke or change the allocation at any time. You can even make changes after you separate or retire from the military. You can always change your mind regarding how you will distribute the months of benefits you transfer.
Who Can Receive Transferred GI Bill Benefits
GI Bill benefits can only be transferred to eligible spouses or children, who must be enrolled in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System (DEERS).
Spouses.
- Can receive benefits immediately (starting August 1, 2009).
- Can use GI Bill benefits for up to 15 years after the service member separates from active duty.
- May still use the benefits after a divorce if the military member agrees.
- Spouses will not receive a monthly housing or book stipend while member is on active duty.
Children.
- Can use benefits after the service member completes at least 10 years of service.
- Can use the benefits while the service member remains on active duty or after the member separates.
- Is eligible to receive a monthly housing or book stipend while member is on active duty.
- May receive benefits after marriage.
- Cannot use benefits unless they have a high school diploma or equivalent, or reach age 18.
- Cannot receive benefits after age 26.
Other Important GI Bill Transfer Notes
This only applies to the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This does not apply to the Montgomery GI Bill program.
Transfers must be made while the member is still serving. Members are not eligible to transfer benefits once they have already retired or separated from the military.
What if You Are Unable to Complete 4 Years After You Transfer the GI Bill?
Members who transfer their benefits and extend 4 years, but are not able to complete 4 years of service, need to seek guidance from the VA. Policy allows the member to keep their benefits if they are separated due to a medical retirement, disability, or Force Shaping. However, there may be some instances in which the member may no longer be eligible to transfer the benefits if they are not able to complete 4 years of service. It is recommended each member consult with their Human Resources, Personnel office, or the VA for more information.
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. The benefits belong to the service member, and the intent of the GI Bill transfer program is not to change that.
Transfers Are Revocable and Allocations Can be Changed at Any Time
Members are encouraged to transfer benefits if they are eligible to do so because they can always change their mind. The minimum transfer is one month of benefits.
For example, I am eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. I have 36 months of benefits. I am married with two children. To begin with, I transferred 1 month of GI Bill benefits to each of my dependents, and still have 33 months to use for myself. I can change this allocation of benefits at any time.
To make changes, log into your MilConnect account and update the number of months you are transferring to each individual (up to the maximum allowed). This can be found under:
- MilConnect Home –> Benefits –> Transfer of Education Benefits
Remember, there is no downside to transferring your benefits because you can always go back and change how the transferred benefits are allocated.
Changes Are Limited Once You Separate or Retire
You can add and remove dependents to your GI Bill benefits transfer while you are still serving in the military. However, you can no longer add dependents to your transfer once you have retired. You can only remove benefits or change the allocation between them. Keep this in mind before you separate or retire from the military.
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.
This is part of the reason why the new law was passed which limits members to transferring their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits no later than their 16th year of service. Once they reach 16 years of service, an additional 4 years will bring them to retirement eligibility and there is no longer a need to entice the members to continue their military service.
These GI Bill transfer rules will not apply military members who are eligible for the Post 9-11 GI Bill, but who have already separated or retired from active duty – all transfers must be made while the member is still in military service.
Hat tip to MOAA for the 2018 policy update.
Brenda J Spano says
Can my husband transfer his GI Bill benefits to our daughter? He served during desert Storm and left the military in 1994. He never used them.
Ryan Guina says
Hello Brenda, Unfortunately, he cannot. The GI Bill transfer is only available as a retention tool – it can only be transferred to family members in exchange for agreeing to serve four or more additional years in the military. He would be ineligible to do this since he is no longer serving. I wish you and your family the best.
Brandon says
I have a somewhat of a different situation: I have an approved retirement date of 1 July 19. My 20 year mark will be 1 Dec 18. I extended for 7 month 3 years and 5 months ago in order transfer my GI Bill to my spouse.
“Once they reach 16 years of service, an additional 4 years will bring them to retirement eligibility and there is no longer a need to entice the members to continue their military service.”
Based on the current situation and the logic from this statement, can they just waive those months and allow me to retire now? It seems that it would be more cost effective for them to cut me loose, and it would be in line with their current retention-based situation and thinking.
Ryan Guina says
Hello Brandon, Once you sign the extension paperwork, you have a legal contract and the commitment is on the books. Can this be waived? I’m not sure. You would need to ask your retention office or personnel office. They would need to look into it and see if it would be possible.
I wish you the best, and thank you for your service!
Eugene Cramer says
I am now officially divorced from my spouse. Can I still transfer by GI Bill benefits to her even though she is no longer a dependent?
Ryan Guina says
Hello Eugene, According to the VA, “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.” So if your spouse is no longer listed in DEERS as a dependent, then you would not be able to transfer GI Bill benefits to her.
Jon Twitchell says
I currently hold a service commitment of 5 years but would like to transfer my GI benefits to my daughter. I am going to transfer regardless but I would like to take advantage of an SRB that was just released for my career field (I am also in a combat zone tax free). I understand that I have the option to reenlist when I transfer benefits. Does that option still apply to me even with a 5 year commitment remaining? I have served 11 years on active duty, and as an E6 I would not have to worry about running into HYT. I have no problem carrying a larger service commitment as I have plans to stay for 20.
Ryan Guina says
Hello Jon, Thank you for your question. I believe you can run the commitment concurrently to any other service commitments you have. I don’t believe you would be required to extend for another 9 years (I’m not sure it is even possible to do that). I would speak with your retention office, or whichever office handles the GI Bill transfer in your branch of the military. They should be able to help you set it up and make sure the paperwork and extension are handled correctly.
I wish you the best, and thank you for your service!
John Furley says
Can the 4 year commitment be completed while in an IMA status? I have transferred the benefit while in the ANG but have an opportunity to go to an IMA spot with the CAP, which is a points only position.
Ryan Guina says
Hello John, Thank you for your question. Yes, I believe so. So far as I am aware, you only need to be serving in an active duty, Guard, or Reserve status for the duration of the commitment.
That said, I believe you need to earn a good year for the service to count against your service commitment. I don’t believe service in the Individual Ready Reserve qualifies if you don’t meet the requirements for a good year.
You should be able to confirm this with your retention office, education and training office, or personnel office.
I wish you the best, and thank you for your service!
Jeremy Garrett says
Do I have to reenlist for another four years if I want to transfer my benefits again to my kids five years later?
Juan Garcia says
I transferred my GI benefits to my wife at the time back in 2011, and in 2015 she used it for 2 classes. Since then we were divorced as of 2017. Am I able to transfer those benefits to my kids instead, now that she is no longer my spouse? Also, if I were to get remarried to a different to someone else, would I be able to transfer those benefits to my new spouse? I am still active duty in the USAF, 13/20yrs. Thanks
Ryan Guina says
Hello Juan, Yes, you should be able to transfer those benefits away from your former wife, provided there was no statement in the divorce agreement to the contrary.
Regarding transferring benefits to your children, yes, I believe you should be able to. Visit your retention office or base education and training office, and they should be able to give more specific information or help you with the transfer.
As for transferring benefits to a future spouse – I believe that will depend on when you get married. If you get married while still in the service, then you would likely be able to transfer the benefits. I do not believe you would be allowed to do so after you separate or retire.
I wish you the best, and thank you for your service!
Brad Bergemann says
It says the GI Bill can be used by dependents up until they are 26 years old. But I was told I can’t transfer it to my son because he is older than 23? Why is there this discrepancy? Why not let them use as much as they can until they reach 26.
Kenneth Woodard says
Hello, I have a student whose dad served in the marines from ’78 to ’86 in Vietnam. He never used any benefits to go to college. Now, his son is going to be going to college next year. Are there any transferrable college scholarship benefits that his son can use.
Thanks for the advice.
Kenneth
Ryan Guina says
Hello Kenneth, Thank you for contacting me. The US withdrew from Vietnam in the early to mid-’70s, so the dates may be off. I only bring this up because war-time service may open the door to additional benefits or potential scholarship opportunities. So the son may want to verify this.
As for military education benefits, they aren’t transferable once a servicemember leaves the military. So his father wouldn’t be able to transfer any benefits to his son. The Montgomery GI Bill also expires after 10 years of leaving the military, so his father’s benefits are likely expired as well.
As for scholarships, they are on a case by case basis, and he would need to do further research. I would start by searching for scholarships for military dependents, children of veterans, and similar terms. There may also be scholarship opportunities for children of disabled veterans.
He can also contact the Department of Veterans Affairs or his local county VA office for more information. They may be able to point him in the right direction.
Ceilidhe Brown says
My father was 100% disabled and I received chapter 35 benefits from him. Later on in life I married is was eliblige for benefits through my spouse. But the VA send my 45 months were up. How is this when it was my first time using the benefits through my spouse?
Ryan Guina says
Hello Ceilidhe, I believe the VA sets a lifetime limit on benefits each person can use. However, I am not familiar with your specific situation, so I recommend contacting the VA for verification. I wish you the best!
Jose Diola says
I transferred my benefits got approved but retired earlier than intended. Is there a waiver I can try to run to keep my transferred eligibility to my dependents that was approved since I stayed for more than 24 years?
Ryan Guina says
Hello Jose, I recommend contacting your base education office or retention office for specific details. They should be able to help you based on your specific situation. I wish you the best, and thank you for your service!
Michael Bennett says
Non of my children were interest in using my Post 911. I’m wondering, could I transfer my school benefits to a Daughter In-Law or is it bound to the definition of Family…i.e. blood, adoption, under the age of 26 etc.?
Ryan Guina says
Hello Michael, You can only transfer your GI Bill to your direct dependent. You can speak with your education or retention office for more specifics. I wish you the best, and thank you for your service!
Keith says
So my daughter lives with her mom who is active duty and obviously has her in DEERS. I am a air national guard member, who is eligible to transfer post 9/11 GI bill. However my wife is my dependent in DEERS and my daughter is with her mom in DEERS. I am not sure how to transfer the GI Bill to my daughter. If I go ahead and make the transfer to my wife’s name since she is already my dependent maybe that will help and later on is there a way to give it to my daughter?
Ryan Guina says
Hello Keith, This is a great question, and one I don’t have the answer to. It may be possible to have your daughter in DEERS under both your profile and her mother’s for purposes of transferring the GI Bill. But I’m not sure how it works in this case.
I recommend speaking with your base retention office, which is who usually handles the GI Bill transfer process. They should be able to point you in the right direction. I wish you the best, and thank you for your service!
Mark Dube says
I just need to know, when one who is eligible to receive the GI Bill, can they transfer said bill to an ex-spouse even though the former service member has chosen the bill for themselves, and do both parties then lose out on this benefit?
Ryan Guina says
Hello Mark, The service member can only transfer the benefit to a family member who is registered in the DEERS program as a dependent. Once they initiate the transfer, they can later change the benefit amount to any portion of the benefit, from 0 months, to the full number or remaining months.
If the member transfers the benefit to a spouse, and they later divorced, then the member may be able to transfer the benefits back to themselves, provided there was no ruling against this in the divorce decree or divorce agreement.
For further clarification, I recommend speaking with your base retention office, education and training office, or the respective office that handles GI Bill transfers in your branch of service. They will be able to assist you.
If you have already separated from the military, you should instead contact the VA customer service desk.
I hope this is helpful. I wish you the best, and thank you for your service!
M says
If benefits were transferred to a dependent child and that child subsequently joins active duty, are the transferred benefits still available to the newly active duty Service Member? What about when he meets eligibility criteria for his own Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit?
Ryan Guina says
Hello M, The servicemember or veteran can transfer benefits within family members at their discretion. For example, if a servicemember who is the parent transfers benefits to their child, they can later transfer the benefits back to themselves or to another eligible family member.
I believe there is a lifetime cap on the amount of GI Bill benefits one is eligible to use, so if the child uses GI Bill benefits from a parent, then later becomes eligible for GI Bill benefits through their own service, they will only be able to use a certain amount of the benefits.
These are questions you should verify with the VA to ensure all transfers are handled properly.
I wish you the best, and thank you for your service!
Ian says
I just started the final class of my Masters program and am going to transfer the remainder of my benefits to my son. Do I need to wait until I finish the class and graduate in May or can I do it now? Thank you.
Ryan Guina says
Hello Ian,
I always recommend individuals transfer benefits as soon as they are able. This way they get the transfer in the books and can begin working on their service obligation. I don’t see any benefit to waiting.
I wish you the best, and thank you for your service!