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Can I Transfer My GI Bill to My Children?

July 22nd, 2010
by Jeffery Anderson
I served in the USAF from March 4 1986-March 3 1992.  I paid $100 per month for 12 months which was a struggle for a young married enlistee for the GI Bill.  I have a son that just graduated from Vanderbilt and have a daughter entering her last year at Indiana University and my youngest son is going to Mount St Joseph’s in Cincinnati area to wrestle.  After putting son through Vandy and daughter through IU so far, things are tough financially to get her finished and him through 4 years.  So I heard I might be able to transfer my GI Bill to them which would help tremendously. Thanks, Larry

Hi Larry, I’m afraid I have bad news for you.  The GI Bill you had was the Montgomery GI Bill, and while it is a great GI Bill, it doesn’t have a provision for transferring your education benefits.  It can’t even help you go to school at this point as its benefits expired 10 years after you left active duty.

The GI Bill that you may be referring to that allows the transfer of benefits to eligible spouses and dependent children is the Post 9/11 GI Bill.  Service members with 6 years of military duty can transfer their benefits, but they must agree to remain on active duty for an additional 4 years after the transfer takes place and their children can’t use the transferred benefits until the service member has completed 10 years of service.  Service members must have served for at least 90 days of active duty after 10 September 2001 to be eligible for any Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.

As someone with children in college I feel your pain.  I recommend that you visit the Air Force Aid Society website.  They usually have grants and scholarships available for the eligible children of Air Force veterans.  I would also check with your state’s Department of Veterans Affairs office.  Some states offer education benefits to the children of veterans, but it is normally to state supported schools, so I’m not sure if that would help you.

I’m sure you are already aware of federal student aid programs that you can apply for.

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Posted in GI Bill Transfer, Montgomery G I Bill, New GI Bill, Veterans Education Benefits | 6 Comments »

6 Responses to “Can I Transfer My GI Bill to My Children?”

  1. Simmie R.Manning says:
    August 2, 2010 at 1:21 pm

    I am retired USAF Vets that only used maybe 3 semesters hours of my MGIB while on active duty. But because of my family situations. i was a single parent, and had to take care ill and aging parents. both of my parents are now deceased my children are grown and now wish to complete my life long of goal of obtaining a college degree. i have read and been told that because 10 years have passed since my retirement date, im no longer eligible for my earned benefits-PLEASE HELP/ADVISE

  2. Jeffery Anderson says:
    August 2, 2010 at 5:48 pm

    Hi Simmie, You don’t mention how long it has been since your 10 year time limit expired, but reading between the lines I’m guessing it has been a long time. I think your chances of getting an extension for your MGIB are very slim. The VA normally only grants extensions if there was a documented injury or illness that prevented you from using your benefits or you were held captive by a foreign power.

    I understand that it can be difficult to use your benefits to go back to school while you are taking care of sick parents or have young children, but I think the VA is going to take the stance that sometime during the 10 years there should have been an opportunity to use the benefits. You might check with your state’s Department of Veterans Affairs office, some states offer tuition assistance to veterans attending state supported schools. I would also check with the Air Force Aid Society to see if they have any grants or scholarships available. It wouldn’t hurt to check with the VA about your MGIB, the worst that can happen is they say no.

  3. Angela Andersen says:
    August 29, 2010 at 7:53 pm

    My ex husband retired from the Marine’s 2 years ago. He served 20 yrs. My son is currently using his GI bill to attend school in California which is ths state my ex retired in. My daughter on the other hand wishes to go to college here in Georgia and our question is will she qualify for the GI bill here in Georgia? If so, how do we go about doing this? My ex said he wasn’t sure and I noticed this site and thought to ask.
    Sincerely,
    Angela

  4. Ron Kness says:
    August 30, 2010 at 10:44 am

    Because the GI Bill is a federal program, the state where she goes to school isn’t the issue. The real issue is if your ex-husband transferred benefits to her before he retired. If he did, then she can use them anywhere as long as the school she chooses is VA-approved. If he did not transfer benefits before retiring, then he can’t now and she will not have benefits. If she has transferred benefits, she can send in VA Form 22-1990e to start receiving her money.

    Ron

  5. Stewart Cunningham says:
    February 8, 2011 at 4:49 am

    I retired from the Navy with 20 years in Dec of ‘07 in GA. Can I transfer my GI Bill to my son that is graduating high school this May and wants to attend college in GA? Who do I contact?

  6. Jeffery Anderson says:
    February 8, 2011 at 7:51 am

    Hi Stewart, I’m afraid you are no longer eligible to transfer your GI Bill benefits once you have left the military. However, there are other avenues for financial assistance to attend college your son might try such as ROTC Scholarships or Federal Financial Aid.

    Jeff

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