Can You Tell Us How to Transfer from the Montgomery GI Bill to the New Post 9/11 GI Bill?
Q: My husband did 9 years of active duty in the Army. He got out of the Army in 2005. He is now in the Army Reserves after enlisting in January, 2011. We would like some information on transferring his Montgomery GI Bill to the new GI Bill because we are interested in transferring it into our children for schooling in the future. Please provide further information on how we can go about this. Thank you!
A: Based on the information you provided, your husband meets the first Post 9/11 GI Bill service requirement of having served for at least six years of which at least three years had to be after September 10, 2001. Now that he is currently serving “on or after August 1, 2009″ in the Army Reserves, he also has to meet the future service requirement of having at least four years left on his enlistment at the time he makes a transfer request.
As far as switching from the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) to the Post 9/11 GI Bill, it automatically happens when he submits a transfer request. If he planned on using his benefits to go to school, he would have to submit VA Form 22-1990 from the eBenefits website, but because he is going to transfer benefits and doesn’t plan on using his benefits himself, he doesn’t have to submit the form.
Instead, once he has at least four years left on his enlistment, he can go to the milConnect website and enter into each child’s record the number of months he wishes to transfer to each one. In 8 to 10 weeks, he should see the status change to “Request Approved”.
Once that happens, then each child (after graduating from high school or attaining the age of 18) has to go to the eBenefits website and submit VA Form 22-1990e. In return, each will get a Certificate of Eligibility that each child will need when enrolling in school.