Has anyone recently transferred their post 9/11 GI Bill to their spouse? About how long does the process take?

2016-09-19T10:54:53-04:00

Now that I am back on AD I am trying to transfer my remaining months of GI Bill to my wife. I enrolled her in DEERS this morning and I was able to initiate the transfer process online soon thereafter. She would like to start classes in the spring term, but I'm unsure whether the transfer will be complete by then. Does anyone know about how long it takes to get transfers approved?

Response by SFC Josh Billingsley made Sep 19 at 2016 10:58 AM

2016-09-19T10:58:04-04:00

I'd keep checking back on the status every few days. if I remember correctly, mine took about 10 or so business days to get approved. It was not a real long process.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2016 1:21 PM

2016-09-19T13:21:53-04:00

I have. It took in total about a fortnight, give or take a couple days.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2016 1:59 PM

2016-09-19T13:59:02-04:00

If you enrolled her in DEERS today give it 24 hours and try going through milconnect and try doing the transfer on line. I will say that the website is problematic at times but I was able to transfer the benefits to my wife and kids quickly. As for starting school that depends on the start of the semester and the school. You have more than enough time for her to registrar for the spring semester, if things go smoothly, but it there is a glitch then you might be cutting things tight. For my son, at his University in MD VA rep was as helpful as a pocket in your underwear; however, my daughters University in PA the VA rep was extremely helpful and she was in the school system and in classes with the tuition deferred for about 3 weeks until the VA and University were in sync.
I will say this about the website, it is extremely finicky and transferring time around is cumbersome but all in all you can get what you need accomplished. Be patient and vigilant, the website will want you to do tasks in a very basic single step fashion.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2016 3:52 PM

2016-09-19T15:52:34-04:00

I have transferred to my wife and my children. IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE, the transfer is instant. However, there are rules for being able to do so. (below)

Also its CRITICAL for eligible SMs to transfer at least 1 month to all children their spouse prior to their ETS/Retirement date. If they do so, the months may be adjusted after their separation.
**newborns are the exception to this rule**

Has at least six years of service in the armed forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of approval and agrees to serve four additional years in the armed forces from the date of election.
Has at least 10 years of service in the armed forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of approval, is precluded by either standard policy (by Service Branch or DoD) or statute from committing to four additional years, and agrees to serve for the maximum amount of time allowed by such policy or statute.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2016 9:53 AM

2016-09-22T09:53:54-04:00

UPDATE: I got an email this morning letting me know that the transfer was approved. That was less than 3 days from when I submitted everything. That's a pretty quick turnaround.

Response by SGT Christopher Combs made Jul 12 at 2018 1:02 AM

2018-07-12T01:02:38-04:00

I just did mine yesterday to my wife and was told it could take a few days or a couple of weeks but it should be done in time for spring semester