How Do I Transfer My GI Bill to My Children?

Hi Chris, As long as you meet the requirements for transferring your Post 9/11 GI Bill, the actual transfer procedure is easy. You have to be on active duty and you have to be eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill to transfer your benefits.  You also have to have been in the military for at least 6 years to be eligible to transfer your benefits. Your children will have to be registered in DEERS to receive your benefits.

If you meet those requirements, then you go to this Department of Defense website and fill out the online transfer of education benefits request.  Your children should be listed on the form already if they are registered in DEERS.  You can transfer all of your benefits or just a portion of them and you can divide them up however you desire.  In order for the request to be approved you are going to have to agree to remain on active duty for 4 years after the transfer takes place.

Your children will not be able to use the benefits until you have been in the military for 10 years and they have until they turn 26 years old to use the benefits.  Receiving your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits also makes them eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program.  When they are ready to attend school they just need to go to the VONAPP website and apply for their GI Bill benefits.