Changes to Post-9/11 GI Bill transfers effective July 2019

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 serving 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.

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.

• Effective 7/12/2019, eligibility to transfer benefits will be limited to servicemembers with at least 6 years but not more than 16 years of active duty or selected reserve service. So servicemembers with more than 16 years of service should transfer benefits before 7/12/2019.

For more information, go to https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_transfer.asp.