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Post-9/11 GI Bill Offers Transferability of Educational Benefits to Dependents

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090723-01
Release Date: 7/23/2009 1:33:00 PM

By Ed Barker, Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The chief of naval personnel announced July 11 transferability policies and application procedures for the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act, or GI Bill.

One of the most unique aspects of the new GI Bill supporting veteran's education, is the ability of service members to transfer all or a portion of their unused benefits to their spouse or other dependents. Designed as a recruiting and retention tool, this benefit generally requires an additional service commitment in the armed forces, by serving on active duty and/or in the selected Reserve.

"This is an exciting benefit that offers significant flexibility in how the new GI Bill benefits may be used," said Ann Hunter, the Navy's voluntary education service chief. "The process for transferring benefits to dependents can be complicated, so we recommend that service members consult with their command career counselors to fully understand the benefits and requirements. The transferability of this entitlement should be a significant consideration in a member's career plan."

The transferability option must be selected while the member is still serving in the armed forces. Active members who separate, retire, transfer to the fleet reserve or who are discharged prior to Aug. 1 are not eligible to elect transferability.

In order to be eligible for transferring benefits, service members:

- Must have served six years in the armed forces (active and/or selected reserve) and agree to serve four additional years from the date of election; or
- Must have served at least 10 years in the armed forces and if not able to serve four more years due to Navy, DoD or federal statute, must agree to serve the maximum time allowable by that policy or statute; or
a - For those who already have 20 years of service or have an approved retirement date between Aug. 1, 2009 and July 1, 2010, no additional service is required; or
b- For all others, the required service obligation varies from one to four years – see NAVADMIN 203/09 for more requirements.

Service members transferring their Post 9-11 entitlement must designate the eligible dependent(s), the number of months of entitlement to be transferred and specify the period of use. The number of months of entitlement that can be transferred from the servicemember to dependents is a maximum of 36 months or the number of months not used under the entitlement. See the NAVADMIN or the Department of Veterans Web site for additional details.

While a member is in the armed forces, new dependents may be added, entitlements changed or unused entitlements revoked. After retirement or separation, the veteran may modify or revoke transferred entitlement for existing dependents, but the veteran may not add new dependents.

Failure to complete the required service agreement after transferring entitlement to dependents may result in an overpayment of educational assistance and is subject to collection by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Service members are reminded it is critical to visit their command career counselor and complete the required service obligation documentation as soon as practical before applying for transferability. Dependents must be enrolled in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment System (DEERS) in order for the servicemember to transfer eligibility.

NAVADMIN 203/09 contains additional details, process information and references. Frequently Asked Questions and a service member transferability process checklist are available on Navy Knowledge Online, https://www.nko.navy.mil and on the Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS) Web site, http://www.npc.navy.mil/careerinfo/education/gibill. Members can also visit the VA Web site at www.gibill.va.gov or contact the Navy Personnel Command Customer Service Center at 1-866-827-5672.

For more news from Naval Education and Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnet/.