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Transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill to Spouse and Dependents
Education and Training
Transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill to Spouse and Dependents
The transferability option under the Post-9/11 GI Bill allows Servicemembers to transfer all or some unused benefits to their spouse or dependent children. The request to transfer unused GI Bill benefits to eligible dependents must be completed while servicing as an active member of the Armed Forces. The Department of Defense (DoD) determines whether or not you can transfer benefits to your family. Once the DoD approves benefits for transfer, the new beneficiaries apply for them at VA. To find out more, visit the DoDs website or apply now.
Type of Assistance
Eligible Servicemembers may transfer all 36 months or the portion of unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits (unless DoD or the Department of Homeland Security has limited the number of transferable months). If you're eligible, you may transfer benefits to the following individuals:
- Your spouse
- One or more of your children
- Any combination of spouse and child
Available Benefits and 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 enlisted who is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and meets the following criteria:
- Has at least six years of service in the armed forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of approval and agrees to serve four additional years in the armed forces from the date of election.
- Has at least 10 years of service in the armed forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of approval, is precluded by either standard policy (by Service Branch or DoD) or statute from committing to four additional years, and agrees to serve for the maximum amount of time allowed by such policy or statute.
- Transfer requests are submitted and approved while the member is in the armed forces.
Transfer Process. While in the armed forces, transferors use the Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) website to designate, modify, and revoke a Transfer of Entitlement (TOE) request. After leaving the armed forces, transferors may provide a future effective date for use of TOE, modify the number of months transferred, or revoke entitlement transferred by submitting a written request to VA. Submit a TEB request now for your Service component approval (non-VA Link). (NOTE: When the milConnect Home page displays, select Education then Transfer of Education Benefits [TEB] from the menu bar.)
Upon approval, family members may apply to use transferred benefits with VA by printing, completing, and mailing the VA Form 22-1990e to your nearest VA regional office of applying online. VA Form 22-1990e should only be completed and submitted to VA by the family member after DoD has approved the request for TEB. Do not use VA Form 22-1990e to apply for TEB.
Other Factors to Consider
Marriage and Divorce
- A childs subsequent marriage will not affect his or her eligibility to receive the educational benefit; however, after an individual has designated a child as a transferee under this section, the individual retains the right to revoke or modify the transfer at any time.
- A subsequent divorce will not affect the transferees eligibility to receive educational benefits; however, after an individual has designated a spouse as a transferee under this section, the eligible individual retains the right to revoke or modify the transfer at any time.
Reallocation of Benefits
If a Servicemember wants to reallocate transferred benefits they can do so using the TEB Portlet in MilConnect at https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect. If a Veteran wants to reallocate benefits they should contact the VA using our "Ask A Question" website http://gibill.custhelp.com.
If transferred benefits are totally revoked for a dependent a Servicemember must resubmimt a transfer request for the dependent via MilConnect, a Veteran cannot re-transfer benefits to a dependent if the dependent's transfer eligibility was previously totally revoked.
Nature of Transfer
Family member use of transferred educational benefits is subject to the following rules:
Spouses
- May start to use the benefit immediately
- May use the benefit while the member remains in the Armed Forces or after separation from active duty
- Are not eligible for the monthly housing allowance while the member is serving on active duty
- Can use the benefit for up to 15 years after the service members last separation from active duty
Children
- May start to use the benefit only after the individual making the transfer has completed at least 10 years of service in the armed forces
- May use the benefit while the eligible individual remains in the armed forces or after separation from active duty
- May not use the benefit until he or she has attained a secondary school diploma (or equivalency certificate), or he or she has reached age 18
- Is entitled to the monthly housing allowance stipend even though the eligible individual is on active duty
- Is not subject to the 15-year delimiting date, but may not use the benefit after reaching 26 years of age
More Information
- View the official DoD website for information on transferability (non-VA link)
- Get the fact sheet on transferability of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits
- For specific questions about your eligibility, the status of your transfer request, and service specific questions about the TEB Portlet, please contact the appropriate career counselor or personnel center from the following list:
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Branch of Service |
Contact |
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Army Active Duty Officer |
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Army Active Duty Enlisted |
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Army National Guard |
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Army Reserve (Enlisted and Officer) |
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Navy Active Duty Navy Personnel Command Customer Service Center |
866-U-ASK-NPC (866-827-5672)/DSN 882-5672 |
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Navy Reserve |
800-621-8853, Fax: 757-444-7597/7598 |
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Marine Corps Active Duty Officer |
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Marine Corps Active Duty Enlisted |
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Marine Corps Reserve |
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Air Force Active Duty |
800-525-0102 or 210-565-5000 or DSN 665-5000 |
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Air National Guard |
Contact one of the Retention Office Managers at your unit. |
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Air Force Reserve |
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Coast Guard Active Duty |
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Coast Guard Reserve |
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NOAA |
Email or |
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PHS |
Email or |
