Transferring 9/11 education benefits to children

2014-06-17T14:14:09-04:00

How many of you have transferred all or part of your education benefits to your children? Has this been a benefit you are glad to have? Do you worry you will retire and one of your kids will not use the benefit within the required time frame and it will be lost?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2014 2:17 PM

2014-06-17T14:17:31-04:00

I gave 34 months of my post 9/11 to my wife. Always keep about 2 months for yourself and you can use it when you are putting up with the VA. I'm glad I past mine on.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Jun 17 at 2014 2:22 PM

2014-06-17T14:22:05-04:00

I wish I could have passed mine on but that provision wasn't in place until after I retired.

Response by 1SG James Wise made Jun 17 at 2014 2:32 PM

2014-06-17T14:32:04-04:00

I have split mine evenly between two of my children. They are still in High School though so I have that nagging worry that I will retire and then one of them will decide not to use the benefit. Right now they both do, but minds change.

I wish it was possible to transfer months around between those with a month or more on account when I retire in case that happens, but everything I have read says it is locked upon retirement - does anyone know different?

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Jun 17 at 2014 2:38 PM

2014-06-17T14:38:18-04:00

Was working to split and issue mine out in 2009 or there about. Stalled in the online program at the time, checked the block about 2 months ago and issued it out which now has an ADSO to receive the benefits for them. If the Army allows me to continue service, I should make it, however the wife really flip flops on going back to school. I have a ward son who really needs the benefit, but he doesn't qualify. I can only hope that my youngest daughter utilizes it and I think I should do as suggested up top there by SSG Stephenson and save a little for the transition period. Might want to know more about that process!

Response by SFC Jeffrey Wade made Jun 18 at 2014 2:27 PM

2014-06-18T14:27:07-04:00

when I retired and split it amongst my kids and my wife, I was told as long as I give each of them 1 hour then I can move it around later on. I kept one for myself, gave my wife the remaining hours.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2014 11:42 AM

2014-06-20T11:42:33-04:00

I have transferred my GI bill to my oldest now attending university. It's great and don't regret this at all. In fact it's like having another scholarship fund with the BAH they get. We save that money an place it into the other children's college funds.