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Post-9/11 GI Bill Transferability

Military service members and their families will benefit greatly from the new Post-9/11 GI Bill, which is the most extensive veteran's education benefit to come out of Congress in years. To be eligible for this robust benefit, service members or veterans must have served at least 90 aggregate days on active duty after September 10, 2001. Individuals honorably discharged for a service-connected disability who served 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001, may also establish eligibility.

In addition to receiving this benefit, career service members on active duty or in the selected reserve on August 1, 2009 may be entitled to transfer all or a portion of their education entitlement to one or more of their dependent children. To be eligible, service members must have served in the Armed Forces for at least 10 years and agree to serve four additional years from the date of election to transfer. 

Military children who receive a transferred benefit may receive all public in-state tuition and fees. Private and foreign school costs are capped at $17,500 annually. Some institutions participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program and will pay out-of-state fees and costs above the cap. Military children also qualify for the GI Bill's monthly living allowance and annual stipend for books and supplies. The monthly living allowance will be prorated by the student’s rate of pursuit. However, it is important for families to keep in mind that transferability is not an entitlement and can be revoked by the service member at any time.

Service members should first contact the VA to establish eligibility and then submit a transferability application through the Transferability of Educational Benefits website, located at www.dmdc.osd.mil/TEB.

To learn more about the Post-9/11 GI Bill, visit: www.gibill.va.gov or for information on transferability, go to: http://www.defenselink.mil/home/features/2009/0409_gibill/.