Spouses & Dependents
You may be able to transfer your Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits to a dependent family member if you're on active duty or in the Selected Reserve and you meet all of these requirements:
- You've completed at least 6 years of service on the date your request is approved, and
- You agree to add 4 more years of service, and
- The person getting benefits is enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).
Note: If you received a Purple Heart, you don't need to meet service requirement. But you'll need to request to transfer your benefits while you're still on active duty.
1. Check Eligibility & Submit Transfer Request
1. Update DEERS. Once you have confirmed that you are eligible to transfer your benefits, ensure that your spouse and children are enrolled and listed in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).
2. Log in to milConnect & Submit Transfer Request. Access the milConnect (DoD) portal. Navigate to the "Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB)" section, select eligible dependents, specify the number of months to transfer, and submit the request for DoD approval.
3. Wait for Approval. Your branch of service reviews the request: approval adds a 4-year service obligation to your record. You can track the request's status in milConnect.
2. Dependent's Application (After DoD Approval)
1. Apply to VA. Once approved, each dependent applies for benefits online via VA.gov (using ID.me/Login.gov) or by mailing VA Form 22-1990e.
2. Receive COE. The VA sends the dependent a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
3. Submit COE to GVSU. You can submit a digital copy to [email protected]. Physical copies can be sent to the Registrar's Office at 150 Student Services.
4. Be Assigned a School Certifying Official (SCO). Once GVSU has received your COE, you will be assigned a SCO. They will be your point of contact for certifying enrollment.
Please ensure the student has been accepted to GVSU before submitting the COE to the Registrar.
When can dependents use transferred benefits?
Spouses
Spouses can use these benefits right away whether you're on active duty or have separated from service.
- If you separated from active duty before January 1, 2013, your spouse can use these benefits for up to 15 years after your separation from active duty.
- If you separated from active duty on or after January 1, 2013, your spouse can use these benefits at any time. There is no time limit on the benefits.
Note: Spouses do not qualify for MHA while you're on active duty.
Children
A dependent child can start to use these benefits only after you've finished at least 10 years of service. They can use these benefits while you're on active duty or after you've separated from service.
The child must meet these requirements to use the benefits:
- They have a high school diploma (or a certificate that's equivalent) or they're at least 18 years old
- They're younger than 26 years old
Note: The child may qualify for MHA even when you're on active duty.
Anyone who is the dependent or spouse of a service member who had died, is captured or missing, or is permanently and totally disabled due to a service connected disability may be eligible.
1 of these descriptions must be true for the Veteran or service member:
- The Veteran is permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability, or
- The Veteran died as a result of a service-connected disability, or
- The service member died in the line of duty
- The service member is missing in action or was captured in the line of duty by a hostile force for more than 90 days
- The service member was forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign entity for more than 90 days
- The service member is in the hospital or getting outpatient treatment for a service-connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability