GI Bill Transfer to a Spouse or Children (TEB): Rules and Eligibility Checker
A service member who has Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits left may be able to give some of them to a spouse or children. The program is called the Transfer of Education Benefits, or TEB. This page sets out who may transfer, the service obligation that comes with it, when family members can start using the benefit, how the housing allowance works for them, and how to apply. Every rule below is quoted word for word from the statute, the Defense Department instruction or the VA page it comes from, and the checker ties each result to those quotes.
Maintained by Archie Chang · Rules and sources checked October 29, 2026 · Methodology & sources
Your service and your family member
Total creditable service on the day you would request, from 0 to 60.
Needed for a child; optional for a spouse.
Your result
You can request a transfer now
Service commitment
The request triggers an agreement to serve 4 additional years from the date of election, with no break in active or Selected Reserve service of more than 24 hours other than to participate in the Career Intermission Program. Rule: DoD Instruction 1341.13 (Change 1), paragraph 3.3.b(4); 38 U.S.C. 3319(b), eligible individuals
You can transfer up to 36 months, the lesser of the months you have left and 36.
When this spouse may start using it
If a transfer is approved, a spouse may start using the transferred benefit: the statute and DoD policy tie a spouse’s start to the member completing 6 years of service, which is already reached. Rule: VA, Transfer your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, spouses; 38 U.S.C. 3319(g), commencement of use; DoD Instruction 1341.13 (Change 1), paragraph 3.3.e(2)(a)
Housing allowance
VA says a spouse does not qualify for the monthly housing allowance while the member is on active duty. Rule: VA, Transfer your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, spouses
Also keep in mind
- Meeting these tests is not approval. The service branch decides each request and checks whether you can be retained for 4 more years.Rule: DoD Instruction 1341.13 (Change 1), paragraph 3.3.a(2); DoD Instruction 1341.13 (Change 1), paragraph 3.3.b(4)
- The person who will use the benefit must be enrolled in DEERS. DoD confirms family members through DEERS and shows eligible ones in milConnect.Rule: VA, Transfer your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits; VA, Transfer your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits; DoD Instruction 1341.13 (Change 1), paragraph 3.3.c(1)
General guide only, not a decision on your request. Your service branch decides each request; apply and check status in milConnect.
Who is eligible to transfer
VA says the decision is the Defense Department’s:
“Note: The Defense Department (DOD) decides whether you can transfer GI Bill benefits to your family.”
The statute sets the basic test for a member of the uniformed services:
“An individual referred to in subsection (a) is any member of the uniformed services who, at the time of the approval of the individual's request to transfer entitlement to educational assistance under this section, has completed at least— (1) six years of service in the Armed Forces and enters into an agreement to serve at least four more years as a member of the uniformed services; or (2) the years of service as determined in regulations pursuant to subsection (j).”
VA lists the conditions, including the one for Purple Heart recipients:
“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. All of these must be true: 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 a service requirement. But you’ll need to request to transfer your benefits while you’re still on active duty.”
DoD policy states the minimum service and when it is counted:
“Only members with at least 6 years of total creditable service in the Military Services (active duty service and/or Selected Reserve) will be eligible to transfer education benefits to eligible family members.”
“The determination of members’ total years of creditable service will be based on the date of the member’s TEB application, not the date the request is approved by the respective Military Department, NOAA Corps, or USPHS Corps. Service performed in the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences will not be included in the calculations for 6 years of eligibility, pursuant to Section 2126 of Title 10, U.S.C.”
The statute and VA refer to the approval date, while the DoD instruction counts your service from the date of your application. Confirm with your service when you are close to 6 years.
VA’s request page says active duty, while VA’s eligibility line above and the DoD instruction’s time-for-transfer rule (quoted below) include the Selected Reserve. Selected Reserve members should confirm with their service how to request.
Approval is not automatic, and the branch checks retention first:
“The Military Departments will not automatically approve a Service member’s request to elect to transfer benefits. Before approving an individual’s request to elect to transfer benefits, the Secretary of the Military Department concerned must determine whether the Service member is eligible for retention under the Military Department or Service retention policies (e.g., high-year tenure) and is not precluded by either DoD, Military Department, Service policy, or statute from being retained for 4 additional years from the date of election.”
Purple Heart recipients have a different service test under DoD policy:
“Recipients of the Purple Heart are eligible to transfer unused Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits to one or more eligible family members, regardless of whether the Service member concerned has already served 6 years of service in the Military Services and entered into an agreement to serve a minimum of 4 additional years as a uniformed services member. All other requirements concerning the transferability of unused Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits in law and this policy apply, including the requirement that eligibility is limited to Service members serving on active duty or in the Selected Reserve on the date of election.”
Members with 16 or more years of service
38 U.S.C. 3319(j)(3) prohibits DoD from limiting eligibility by a maximum number of years of service, and DoD Instruction 1341.13 (Change 1, effective November 8, 2023) sets no maximum:
“The Secretary of Defense may not prescribe any regulation that would provide for a limitation on eligibility to transfer unused education benefits to family members based on a maximum number of years of service in the Armed Forces.”
The retention test quoted above still applies to every request, so retention policies such as high-year tenure can matter for members with many years of service.
How many months can be transferred
“The total number of months of entitlement transferred by a individual under this section may not exceed 36 months. The Secretary of Defense may prescribe regulations that would limit the months of entitlement that may be transferred under this section to no less than 18 months.”
“Months transferred must be whole months greater than 0. The number of months of benefits transferred by an individual in accordance with this issuance must not exceed the lesser of: (1) The months of Post-9/11 GI Bill unused benefits available. (2) 36 months.”
“You can request to transfer up to a total of 36 months of your remaining education benefits to your dependents.”
The checker shows the most you can transfer as the lesser of the months you have left and 36.
Which family members can receive it
“An individual approved to transfer an entitlement of educational assistance in accordance with Paragraph 3.3. of this issuance may transfer that entitlement to their spouse, to one or more of their children, to one or more foster children or legal wards that have been living with the Service member pursuant to a court order for at least 12 consecutive months, or to a combination of their spouse and one or more other eligible family members. Confirmation of family members will be made using the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. Eligible family members are identified as such in the DMDC milConnect TEB Web application.”
“Note: Your dependent must be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) before making the transfer in milConnect. To enroll in DEERS, they’ll need to visit a Real-Time Automated Personnel Identification System (RAPIDS) office and bring 2 forms of identification (ID). 1 of the forms of ID must have their photo.”
A later divorce does not end a spouse’s eligibility, but you keep the right to change the transfer:
“Once an individual has designated a spouse as a transferee, a subsequent divorce will not affect the transferee’s eligibility to receive educational benefits. However, the individual retains the right to revoke or modify the transfer at any time.”
The additional service obligation
The transfer comes with an agreement to serve more years. DoD policy says:
“The member transferring educational benefits must agree to serve 4 additional years in the Military Services, NOAA Corps, or USPHS Corps from the date of election, with no break in active or Selected Reserve service for greater than 24 hours, other than to participate in CIP. This includes the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve Corps of the USPHS Corps.”
“Eligibility does not guarantee approval. Members must be eligible to be retained for 4 years from the date of election and not be precluded, before approval, by either standard Service or DoD policy or statute. Members who have qualified for retirement and who wish to transfer benefits will incur a 4-year additional service obligation.”
If the agreed service is not completed, the statute treats what a dependent has used as an overpayment:
“Except as provided in subparagraph (B), if an individual transferring entitlement under this section fails to complete the service agreed to by the individual under subsection (b)(1) in accordance with the terms of the agreement of the individual under that subsection, the amount of any transferred entitlement under this section that is used by a dependent of the individual as of the date of such failure shall be treated as an overpayment of educational assistance for which the individual shall be solely liable to the United States for the amount of the overpayment for purposes of section 3685 of this title. (B) Exception.—Neither the individual nor the dependent shall be liable to the United States for the amount of the overpayment for purposes of section 3685 of this title in the case of an individual who fails to complete service agreed to by the individual— (i) by reason of the death of the individual; or (ii) for a reason referred to in section 3311(c)(4) of this title.”
VA describes what happens when you separate for other reasons:
“If you separate from service for other reasons, your dependents won’t be eligible to use transferred benefits. And you’ll owe us for education, training, or fees we’ve already paid for your dependents. We’ll return the months of transferred benefits back to you.”
When family members can use the transferred benefit
Spouse
“Your spouse 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’s no time limit on the benefits.”
“A spouse may start to use the benefit only after the individual making the transfer has completed at least 6 years of service in the uniformed services.”
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 statute sets when a spouse or child may begin, including the child’s school or age test:
“A dependent to whom entitlement to educational assistance is transferred under this section may not commence the use of the transferred entitlement until— (1) in the case of entitlement transferred to a spouse, the completion by the individual making the transfer of at least— (A) six years of service in the Armed Forces; or (B) the years of service as determined in regulations pursuant to subsection (j); or (2) in the case of entitlement transferred to a child, both— (A) the completion by the individual making the transfer of at least— (i) ten years of service in the Armed Forces; or (ii) the years of service as determined in regulations pursuant to subsection (j); and (B) either— (i) the completion by the child of the requirements of a secondary school diploma (or equivalency certificate); or (ii) the attainment by the child of 18 years of age.”
It also sets the age limit for a child:
“A child to whom entitlement is transferred under this section may use the benefits transferred without regard to the 15-year delimiting date specified in section 3321, but may not, except as provided in subparagraph (B) or (C), use any benefits so transferred after attaining the age of 26 years.”
DoD policy gives other ways a child can start:
“A child who has either completed the requirements of a secondary school diploma (or equivalency certificate), or reached the age of 18, may start to use the benefit after the individual making the transfer: 1. Has completed at least 10 years of service in the Military Services, NOAA Corps, or USPHS Corps; or 2. Is separated for one of the reasons referred to in Paragraph 3.3.h. of this issuance.”
“The service requirements under Paragraph 3.3.e. are not applicable to transferees designated as Purple Heart recipients.”
Transferred benefits are used in the same manner as the member’s own:
“Except as provided under subsection (e)(2) and subject to paragraphs (5) and (6)— (A) in the case of entitlement transferred to a spouse under this section, the spouse is entitled to educational assistance under this chapter in the same manner as the individual from whom the entitlement was transferred; or (B) in the case of entitlement transferred to a child under this section, the child is entitled to educational assistance under this chapter in the same manner as the individual from whom the entitlement was transferred as if the individual were not on active duty.”
Housing allowance when a family member uses the transferred benefit
VA gives separate notes for spouses and children:
“Note: Your spouse doesn’t qualify for monthly housing allowance while you’re on active duty.”
“Note: The child may qualify for the monthly housing allowance even when you’re on active duty.”
For how the monthly housing allowance is figured, use the GI Bill housing allowance calculator. Chapter 35 is a different VA education benefit for family members; see Chapter 35 rates.
Can I transfer my GI Bill after I get out?
The statute limits when a transfer can be made:
“Subject to the time limitation for use of entitlement under section 3321, and except as provided in subsection (k) or (l), an individual approved to transfer entitlement to educational assistance under this section may transfer such entitlement only while serving as a member of the Armed Forces when the transfer is executed.”
DoD policy repeats the limit and says what a separated member can still do:
“An individual approved to transfer entitlement to educational assistance under Paragraph 3.3. of this issuance may transfer such entitlement to the individual’s family member only while serving in the Military Services (active duty or Selected Reserve), NOAA Corps, or USPHS. An individual may not normally add family members after retirement or separation from the uniformed services; a limited exception is provided for in Section 3319(k) of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, upon the death of the originally designated family member.”
“An individual may not normally add family members after retirement or separation from the Military Services, NOAA Corps, or USPHS Corps. However, after retirement or separation, an individual may modify the number of months of the transferred entitlement (i.e., previously approved allocation of unused benefits); distribute unallocated and unused months of benefits (i.e., months the individual has not transferred or used); or revoke transfer of entitlement for those family members who have received transferred benefits before separation or retirement.”
“Members are strongly advised to allocate all of their unused months of education benefits to their dependents before retirement or separation from the uniformed services.”
The statute has one exception, for the death of a dependent:
“In the case of a dependent to whom entitlement to educational assistance is transferred under this section who dies before using all of such entitlement, the individual who transferred the entitlement to the dependent may transfer any remaining entitlement to a different eligible dependent, notwithstanding whether the individual is serving as a member of the Armed Forces when such transfer is executed.”
Coast Guard, Space Force and other services
The DoD instruction’s wording on the services it covers:
“TEB is available to all members of the uniformed services.”
“This issuance applies to OSD, the Military Departments (including the Coast Guard at all times, including when it is a Service in the Department of Homeland Security by agreement with that Department), the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other organizational entities within the DoD.”
“The United States Army, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Space Force, and the United States Coast Guard.”
This page does not list rules specific to one branch. Ask your branch personnel office for its current guidance. While you are still serving, the military tuition assistance calculator covers a different education benefit.
How to apply, change or revoke a transfer
Requests go through milConnect: milConnect, the Defense Department’s benefits and records site.
“While you’re still on active duty, you’ll need to request a Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) from the DOD through milConnect. You can’t request a TEB from VA.”
“Members may submit requests to transfer education benefits only through the DMDC milConnect Web application at https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect. The date of this action is considered to be the date of member’s TEB election.”
“Service members that do not have a DMDC approval letter posted at this site have not received approval to transfer their education benefits.”
Your family member applies to VA to use the benefit:
“Your dependent can apply online or by mail.”
“You’ll need to apply on their behalf using a PDF version of the Application for Family Member to Use Transferred Benefits (VA Form 22-1990e).”
To change or cancel a transfer:
“An individual transferring entitlement under this section may modify or revoke at any time the transfer of any unused portion of the entitlement so transferred.”
“The modification or revocation of the transfer of entitlement under this paragraph shall be made by the submittal of written notice of the action to both the Secretary concerned and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.”
“The modification or revocation of the transfer of entitlement will be made by submitting notice of the action to both the Secretary concerned and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.”
“You can cancel (revoke) or change the transfer of any benefits that we haven’t awarded to your dependent yet.”
“If you’re still on active duty, you can also request to transfer benefits to additional dependents.”
“You can request to transfer your dependent’s benefits back to yourself or another eligible dependent. You’ll need to make the request in milConnect. DOD doesn’t transfer the benefits back automatically.”
GI Bill transfer questions
Who can transfer GI Bill benefits to a spouse or child?
VA says: “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. All of these must be true: 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 a service requirement. But you’ll need to request to transfer your benefits while you’re still on active duty.” DoD policy sets the service test: “Only members with at least 6 years of total creditable service in the Military Services (active duty service and/or Selected Reserve) will be eligible to transfer education benefits to eligible family members.” It adds: “The member transferring educational benefits must agree to serve 4 additional years in the Military Services, NOAA Corps, or USPHS Corps from the date of election, with no break in active or Selected Reserve service for greater than 24 hours, other than to participate in CIP. This includes the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve Corps of the USPHS Corps.” The service branch decides each request: “The Military Departments will not automatically approve a Service member’s request to elect to transfer benefits. Before approving an individual’s request to elect to transfer benefits, the Secretary of the Military Department concerned must determine whether the Service member is eligible for retention under the Military Department or Service retention policies (e.g., high-year tenure) and is not precluded by either DoD, Military Department, Service policy, or statute from being retained for 4 additional years from the date of election.”
Can I transfer my GI Bill after I get out?
Not as a new request. The statute says: “Subject to the time limitation for use of entitlement under section 3321, and except as provided in subsection (k) or (l), an individual approved to transfer entitlement to educational assistance under this section may transfer such entitlement only while serving as a member of the Armed Forces when the transfer is executed.” DoD policy adds: “An individual approved to transfer entitlement to educational assistance under Paragraph 3.3. of this issuance may transfer such entitlement to the individual’s family member only while serving in the Military Services (active duty or Selected Reserve), NOAA Corps, or USPHS. An individual may not normally add family members after retirement or separation from the uniformed services; a limited exception is provided for in Section 3319(k) of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, upon the death of the originally designated family member.” After you separate you can still change what was approved: “An individual may not normally add family members after retirement or separation from the Military Services, NOAA Corps, or USPHS Corps. However, after retirement or separation, an individual may modify the number of months of the transferred entitlement (i.e., previously approved allocation of unused benefits); distribute unallocated and unused months of benefits (i.e., months the individual has not transferred or used); or revoke transfer of entitlement for those family members who have received transferred benefits before separation or retirement.”
How many months of GI Bill can I transfer?
DoD policy says: “Months transferred must be whole months greater than 0. The number of months of benefits transferred by an individual in accordance with this issuance must not exceed the lesser of: (1) The months of Post-9/11 GI Bill unused benefits available. (2) 36 months.” The statute says: “The total number of months of entitlement transferred by a individual under this section may not exceed 36 months. The Secretary of Defense may prescribe regulations that would limit the months of entitlement that may be transferred under this section to no less than 18 months.”
When can my spouse or child start using the transferred benefit?
For a spouse, VA says: “Your spouse 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’s no time limit on the benefits.” For a child, VA says: “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 statute adds the child’s school or age test and the age limit: “A child to whom entitlement is transferred under this section may use the benefits transferred without regard to the 15-year delimiting date specified in section 3321, but may not, except as provided in subparagraph (B) or (C), use any benefits so transferred after attaining the age of 26 years.”
Does a spouse get the housing allowance while I am on active duty?
VA says: “Note: Your spouse doesn’t qualify for monthly housing allowance while you’re on active duty.” For a child, VA says: “Note: The child may qualify for the monthly housing allowance even when you’re on active duty.” See the GI Bill housing allowance calculator linked on this page for how the monthly housing allowance is figured.
Is there a limit if I have 16 or more years of service?
The statute says: “The Secretary of Defense may not prescribe any regulation that would provide for a limitation on eligibility to transfer unused education benefits to family members based on a maximum number of years of service in the Armed Forces.” DoD Instruction 1341.13 (Change 1, November 8, 2023) sets no maximum years of service. The service branch still decides whether you can be retained for 4 more years, and retention policies such as high-year tenure can apply. Check your branch’s current guidance.
What happens if I do not finish the 4 additional years?
The statute says: “Except as provided in subparagraph (B), if an individual transferring entitlement under this section fails to complete the service agreed to by the individual under subsection (b)(1) in accordance with the terms of the agreement of the individual under that subsection, the amount of any transferred entitlement under this section that is used by a dependent of the individual as of the date of such failure shall be treated as an overpayment of educational assistance for which the individual shall be solely liable to the United States for the amount of the overpayment for purposes of section 3685 of this title. (B) Exception.—Neither the individual nor the dependent shall be liable to the United States for the amount of the overpayment for purposes of section 3685 of this title in the case of an individual who fails to complete service agreed to by the individual— (i) by reason of the death of the individual; or (ii) for a reason referred to in section 3311(c)(4) of this title.” VA says: “If you separate from service for other reasons, your dependents won’t be eligible to use transferred benefits. And you’ll owe us for education, training, or fees we’ve already paid for your dependents. We’ll return the months of transferred benefits back to you.”
How do I apply, change or cancel a transfer?
DoD policy says: “Members may submit requests to transfer education benefits only through the DMDC milConnect Web application at https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect. The date of this action is considered to be the date of member’s TEB election.” VA says: “You can cancel (revoke) or change the transfer of any benefits that we haven’t awarded to your dependent yet.” VA also says: “You can request to transfer your dependent’s benefits back to yourself or another eligible dependent. You’ll need to make the request in milConnect. DOD doesn’t transfer the benefits back automatically.” This page is a general guide, not advice: your service branch decides each request.
Related: GI Bill housing allowance calculator · Military tuition assistance · Chapter 35 rates
Rules and sources reviewed October 29, 2026. This page is a general guide and not legal or financial advice; your service branch and VA decide individual cases.
Authoritative sources: 38 U.S.C. 3319, Authority to transfer unused education benefits to family members (GovInfo, 2024 edition) · DoD Instruction 1341.13, Post-9/11 GI Bill (Change 1, Nov. 8, 2023) · VA: Transfer your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits