How to Transfer Veterans Education Benefits

By Annette Jones

One of the benefits included in the latest version of the GI Bill is the transferability of education benefits to the military personnel's children and wife. The ability to transfer a GI's education benefits has been one of the most requested changes in the GI Bill. In 2009, that became a reality. A serviceman or servicewoman can transfer up to the entire 36 months of benefits to a spouse, their children or a combination of both.

Open your Web browser and go to dmdc.osd.mil/TEB and log in. You'll see which dependents are eligible to receive the benefits. If a child or spouse is grayed out or cannot be edited, then he or she isn't eligible.

Choose the dependents to which you are transferring benefits by clicking on the edit button. Choose the number of months being transferred to each person. Decide when the benefits should start and end. Spouses have 15 years to use up their benefits, while children have until age 26. The age limit was chosen because it covers eight years of post-high school education. The military parent has to have been in the military for 10 years before the transfer of benefits can occur.

Check off that you've read the statements on the transfer page. After your request is submitted, you name and request status will appear at the top of the page. To monitor the status of the request, revisit the page.

Family members need to submit a request for a certificate of eligibility from the VA using VA Form 22-1990e, which is available at vabenefits.vba.va.gov. Dependents need to give this certificate to their institution of higher education. Tuition funds will be sent to the school; living stipends and book money will be sent to the students.

Transfers can be to younger children or spouses. Children can use the benefits after achieving a high school diploma, but not older than 26. That covers eight years of post-high school education. The military parent has to have been in the military for 10 years before the transfer of benefits can occur. For spouses, the military spouse needs to have been in the military for six years with an agreement to continue for four more years. In either case, once the benefits have been transferred, the child or spouse has 15 years to use or lose them. Transfers can be revoked by military personnel at any time.

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