GI Bill Transfer Benefits
Updated April 7, 2025 · 3 Min Read
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You can transfer your Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits to your spouse or children if you meet the required service obligations. Military families often transfer these benefits to help each other meet their higher education goals cost-effectively. Attending a military-friendly online collegethat supports the Yellow Ribbon Program can stretch your GI Bill dollars even further.
Explore the guide below to determine whether you meet the transfer requirements and learn how your family can use your GI Bill benefits. If you are a veteran or service member looking for information about how to maximize your own benefits, check out our article on Veterans & GI Bill Benefits.
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Eligibility for Transferring GI Bill Benefits
Service Requirements: You must be on active duty or Selected Reserve, have completed six years of service, and agree to add four additional years to transfer benefits to your spouse. Transferring to a child requires you to have completed at least 10 years of service[1]. The recipient of your benefits must be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).
Who Can Receive Transferred Benefits: If you separated from service on or after January 1, 2013, your spouse can qualify for your education benefits. Your child can also receive your transferred benefits if they are at least 18 or possess a high school diploma or GED certificate, but they must be younger than 26.
[1] Purple Heart recipients do not need to meet the service requirements.
What can the benefits include?
- Tuition: The military will pay up to full tuition and mandatory fees at a public institution or up to $28,937 in tuition and required fees at a private school. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) determines your exact amount by your length of service.
- Books and Supplies: Depending on your percentage of benefits and the number of courses you are taking, you can receive up to $1,000 per academic year for books and supplies.
- Housing: Your spouse can only qualify for housing benefits if you are not on active duty. Your child may receive these benefits whether you are a veteran or current service member, but only if they are a full-time student.
- Testing Fees: The military will reimburse fees for national standardized testing, such as the ACT or SAT, which you may need for college admission.
- Licensure Fees: You can receive up to $2,000 for state licensure or certification test fees after graduation. The military will also provide funds to help pay for prep courses.
How to Transfer Your GI Bill Benefits
Follow this three-step guide to transfer your GI Bill benefits to a qualifying spouse or child.
Step 1: Submit a Transfer Request
If you are on active duty, you must submit your request through milConnect. Simply sign in, choose the family member(s) to whom you wish to transfer benefits, and select the number of months to transfer. Then, choose the appropriate educational program and hit the "submit" button.
Step 2: Wait for Approval
While you wait, you can track your status on milConnect's Transfer of Education Benefits page. Once your transfer request has been approved, you'll see the notation "Request Approved" and the approval date. You should also notice either a green message showing you have completed your service obligations or a yellow message, which means you have more obligations to fulfill.
Step 3: Make Your Commitment
The family members to whom you transfer benefits must complete VA Form 22-1990e and send it to the VA. The VA will match their form to your approval and mail your family member a certificate of eligibility. This certificate must be submitted to the school, and the VA will pay tuition directly to the institution.
The VA's Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) page provides a comprehensive guide to transferring benefits.
Using Transferred GI Bill Benefits as a Dependent
How and when your dependent can use your transferred benefits depends on whether they are your spouse or child.
Spouses:
- Can use benefits right away
- Can only get housing benefits if you are a veteran
Children:
- Must wait until you complete your service requirements to use their benefits
- Can get housing benefits whether you are a veteran or on active duty
Frequently Asked Questions About Transferring GI Bill Benefits
Can a retired veteran transfer GI Bill to child?
If you have received a Purple Heart or completed 10 years of service, you may transfer your GI Bill benefits to your child on certain conditions. To qualify, your child must be at least 18 or have a high school diploma or GED certificate, and they mustbe younger than 26. Your child may also qualify for a monthly housing allowance.
How does the Forever Bill impact transferred benefits?
The Forever GI Bill makes transferring benefits much simpler and more flexible. The main advantage, however, is transfer-after-death policy changes. Under this legislation, benefits can still be used or transferred even if you or your dependent dies. In the event of your death, your dependent needs to contact the VA for help with accessing your benefits.
Can I transfer my GI Bill back to myself?
Yes, if you transfer your GI Bill benefits to a dependent who doesn't use them -- or doesn't use all of them -- you can transfer those benefits back to yourself or another dependent. You will have to make the request using milConnect; the Department of Defense does not automatically make that transfer for you.
Are there other education benefits for military dependents?
Yes, military dependents can receive scholarships from corporations or private organizations. Some schools also offer tuition discounts for military service members and their families. Finally, you can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to discover if you qualify for a Pell Grant or other federally supported financial aid program.
Affordablecollegesonline.org provides information about the GI Bill, including eligibility, benefits, and how to apply, but it's important to note that we are not an official government agency, and the content we share is for informational purposes only and not legal advice.
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