Chapter 33: Post 9/11 Transfer of Benefits

General Overview

The Post 9/11 GI Bill®, effective August 1, 2009, allows Servicemembers to transfer all or some unused benefits to their spouses or dependent children.  The request to transfer unused GI Bill® benefits to eligible dependents must be completed while serving as an active member of the Armed Forces.

Learn more about transferring Post-9/11 GI Bill® to spouse and dependents from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.

Basic Eligibility

  • The Department of Defense (DoD) determines whether or not you can transfer benefits to your family.
  • Family members must be enrolled in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System (DEERS) and be eligible for benefits at the time of transfer to receive transferred benefits.

Monthly Enrollment Verification

For students using their Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits and receiving MHA and/or kicker payments, monthly enrollment verification is required at the end of each month during their term to continue receiving payments. Please call the Education Call Center (ECC) at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) to update your information. This ensures you receive the latest email updates on monthly enrollment verification and are able to opt-in to enrollment verification by text message.

For more information on enrollment verification, including a video with step-by-step instructions and FAQs, explore the Enrollment Verification website.

To Apply for Benefits

  1. Apply for benefits through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

To Use Benefits at UC Davis

  1. Submit the following documentation through the OUR Veterans Portal:
    1. Intake form
    2. Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
      1. Provided by the VA
    3. Academic Plan Form (APF) 
      1. Must submit for each term to apply
  2. If you used VA benefits at a prior institution, you must also submit: 
    1. VA Form 22-5495 (Request for Change of Program or Place of Training)