New GI Bill Transferability Options Announced

Are you serving in the military and wish you could find money to help your spouse or children get a college education? You may now be eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill, which gives service members and veterans the ability to transfer educational benefits to a dependent. This exciting benefit has never before been available to service members, and estimates show that nearly a half million veterans or their family members could apply in the first year.

What Does this GI Bill Provide for Your Dependents?
The Post 9/11 GI Bill gives you the ability to transfer up to 36 months of your unused educational benefit to a dependent, meaning a spouse or child under the age of 26. You may transfer the full 36 months to a single dependent, multiple dependents, or you may use a portion and transfer the rest to your dependent.

Who is Eligible to Transfer Benefits?
The transferability benefit is available to members of the armed forces who:

• Is on active duty as of August 1, 2009
• Have at least 6 years of service and reenlist for at least 4 more years
• Have completed at least 10 years of service when they elect to transfer benefits
• Are eligible for retirement from active duty from August 1, 2009 through August 1, 2013.
  

Who is Eligible to Receive Benefits?
You may transfer benefits to your spouse, one or more of your children, or a combination of your spouse and child(ren). A child's marriage or divorce from the veteran's spouse does not affect eligibility. However, a veteran may revoke transferability at any time. A child who receives the transferability benefit must have received a secondary school diploma, or equivalent certificate, and be under the age of 26. A child's marriage does not affect eligibility.

How Do I Transfer My Educational Benefits through the Post 9/11 GI Bill?
First, the beneficiary must enroll in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System. Next, complete the application to determine if your dependents are eligible for transferability. Lastly, the beneficiary must apply to use transferred benefits here.