How to Transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill Education Benefits

Transfer of military education benefits overview

Beginning in August 2009, a transfer benefit within the Post-9/11 GI Bill allows service members, whether they are officers or enlisted personnel, to transfer their education benefits to spouses or dependents. Requirements include:

• Active-duty service members and selected reserve must have served for six years and be eligible for and agree to serve four more years from the date of the transfer request.
• Transfer requests can only be submitted and approved while members are on active duty.
• Military service members may transfer all or part of their education benefits to a spouse, child, or both, provided they are still serving, but family members must be eligible to receive those benefits under the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
• The person receiving the benefits must be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, or DEERS.
• If a “force-shaping event,” such as involuntary separation, keeps members from fulfilling their service obligation, theymay keep their completed transfer of education benefits.

Benefit transfers must also be approved by a member’s service branch ─ which may have other requirements ─ before a request can be granted.

More information on transferring benefits, and on eligibility ─ including for spouses and children ─ is available through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Purple Heart recipients who were active duty or in the selected reserve, may:

• Transfer their education benefits regardless of years of service, but the request must still be made while they are on active duty.
• Keep a completed transfer of education benefits regardless of whether they fulfill their service obligation.

Being able to transfer your Post-9/11 GI Bill military education benefits provides a financial advantage for you and your family. For more information, including how to request a transfer, call Military OneSource at 800-342-9647 to discuss your benefits with one of our consultants.