Sign-up for the Post 9-11 GI Bill here.
Comparing the Post 9-11 GI Bill with the Current Educational Programs.
For those of you with eligibility in the Post 9-11 GI Bill and another form of education benefits (MGIB, MGIB-Res, REAP, VEAP), you will be required to make an irrevocable decision about which benefit you will keep and use at the time you use your educational benefits.
If you are eligible for two or more other education benefits, in addition to the Post 9-11 benefit, you must make an irrevocable decision to give up ONE of the other education benefits. You will remain eligible to use the benefit from the one you did not surrender. Because you are now eligible for two education benefits, you MAY be able to change which education benefit you draw upon depending on your eligibility.
The details regarding which educational programs are covered by the Post 9-11 GI Bill are numerous. It is best if you view this side-by-side comparison chart of all the different education programs when determining whether you may want to convert your current GI Bill benefits over to the new Post 9-11 benefits–VA comparison chart. Remember, conversion to the Post 9-11 program is irrevocable once made.
Key point: The Post 9-11 GI Bill pays the educational facility directly and it only pays Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL). An IHL is defined as a degree granting institution. To pay for education at institutions other than IHLs, you have to use benefits from other GI Bill programs such as the Active Duty GI Bill, Reserve GI Bill, REAP, or VEAP. Certificate and diploma programs offered by institutions that do not grant degrees are not covered.
These case studies provide graphic examples of how the Post 9-11 and Montgomery GI Bills work under different scenarios. You can find case studies for the Post 9-11 and the Reserve GI Bills here.
You are not under a time crunch to make a decision to convert to the Post 9-11 GI Bill from your current GI Bill program. It may pay…so to speak…to wait until closer to the time in which you wish to use your benefits to make a better comparison. There may be a time crunch for you if the transferability option is important to you. See the Transferability section for more information.
The Benefit Transfer Option
The Department of Defense is using the transferability of Post 9-11 GI Bill benefits as a retention tool. This is a key aspect of the program because it may require you to commit to additional service time in order to receive the transfer benefit.
If you are currently serving, register and complete the transfer process for the Post 9-11 GI Bill before you leave the Service, even if you are not sure you want to transfer the benefit to family members some day. Family members not approved for transfer prior to leaving the Service are denied the Post 9-11 GI Bill opportunity forever. Transfer at least one month’s benefit to each family member before you leave the Service to ensure you can transfer more benefits to dependents later.
The military member always retains the authority to change or revoke the transfer of benefits after benefits have been transferred. Transferred educational benefits may not be treated as marital property or as the asset of a marital estate subject to division in a divorce or other civil proceeding by law.
To transfer benefits, you must go to https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/TEBto register on-line.
Check the web site occasionally to see if you are approved. Once approved, family members will apply to the VA for their certificate of eligibility to use their benefits. Contact the school’s VA rep or Financial Aid office to use the benefit.
Veterans who marry, remarry or have more children after leaving the Service are not able to transfer benefits to these new family members.
General rules:
• May transfer benefits at any time while serving as a member of the Armed Forces on or after 1 August 2009.
• You do not have to be serving on Title 10 active duty orders on 1 August 2009 to be eligible.
• The amount of your benefit is based on your active duty service time.
• Have eligibility for the Post 9-11 GI Bill with service since September 11, 2001.
• Public Health Service (PHS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) officers are not eligible.
• Maximum of 36 months educational benefit.
• If you are barred from serving the additional 4-year commitment due to Service policy or law, you are allowed an exception to the commitment policy.
To Transfer to a Spouse:
• Must have served 6 years with a commitment to 10 years.
• Spouse’s eligibility is good for up to 15 yrs after member’s service.
• Spouses of active duty members cannot receive the housing allowance since they already receive a housing allowance or live on base.
• Spouses of active duty members have enhanced benefits that pay full tuition and fees at any school without costs limitations.
• Divorce does not cancel the transfer however the military member can revoke the transfer at any time.
To Transfer to the Children:
• Able to transfer to children only after 10 years service and agree to 4 more years.
• Eligible until child reaches age 26—no 15 year time limit.
• Housing and books paid while member is active duty unlike spouse benefit.
• The benefit continues even if the child marries.
• Military member retains the authority to revoke the benefit at any time.
• Child must be a graduate of secondary/high school (or equivalent) or be 18 years old.
