What are the requirements for GI Bill transfer?

Transferring Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to dependents involves specific eligibility criteria and procedures. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) provide comprehensive guidelines on this process.

Eligibility Criteria:

Service Requirements:

• Complete at least 6 years of service on the date of the transfer request approval.

• Commit to an additional 4 years of service.

• The dependent must be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).

Transfer Process:

  1. Initiate Transfer Request:

• Submit a Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) request through the milConnect portal.

• Specify the number of months of benefits to transfer to each dependent.

  1. Approval:

• The respective military branch reviews and approves the transfer request.

  1. Dependent Application:

• Once approved, dependents apply for the transferred benefits using VA Form 22-1990E, available on the VA’s website.

Additional Considerations:

Service Obligation:

• Transferring benefits requires an additional service commitment, which may be a point of concern for some service members.

Benefit Usage:

• Spouses can use the benefits immediately upon approval.

• Children can use the benefits after the service member has completed 10 years of service and must do so before turning 26.

Housing Allowance:

• Spouses are not eligible for the monthly housing allowance while the service member is on active duty.

• Children may be eligible for the housing allowance even if the service member is on active duty.

For detailed information, refer to the following authoritative sources:

VA: Transfer Your Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits

DoD: Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) Overview

Military.com: Transfer Your Post-9/11 GI Bill