SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 – When it comes to making the most of your G.I. Bill® benefits, VA knows it’s not just about you, but your loved ones too. We’ve heard your feedback on the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill Transfer of Entitlement (TOE) application experience. Through usability testing sessions, you told us it was lengthy and time consuming. Now, we’re on a mission to make it easier to apply.
That’s why we launched the Digital G.I. Bill (DGIB) initiative. We want the G.I. Bill to work for you. In the last two years, through DGIB, VA enhanced the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill experience. Recent and ongoing IT updates have made the application on VA.gov easier and faster than ever before to complete.
New features to help your family members
As of March 2023, we improved the application experience for your families. The streamlined application to use transferred Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits is now available on VA.gov. Once logged in with an account verified by ID.me or Login.gov, TOE applicants may now save time with:
- Pre-filled sponsor details
- Transferee direct deposit information
- A shorter application with less questions
- Easier navigation on VA.gov
“Oh, this is nice. It shows the individuals and their benefits they can give you. [This is very helpful!],” shared one current G.I. Bill student, on the ease and convenience of the pre-filled information feature of the TOE application.
Get started today
To apply:
- You and your family member will need to check your eligibility.
- The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) determines if you can transfer your benefits to the family member.
- Your family member will need to apply at VA.gov to determine their individual eligibility to use the transferred benefits.
- Have the sponsor’s military service history, current address, contact information and applicant’s direct deposit information handy during the application process to cross-check information.
Tip: Before starting the application, your family member may save time by signing into their VA.gov account that’s been verified by either ID.me or Login.gov.
Still have questions? Check out VA.gov to review FAQs about the transfer process, and login to milConnect to learn more about transfer requirements and procedures.
You serve, you learn, VA pays
The days of spending time filling out lengthy service history and application information are over. And we’re not done yet. We are working to make our VA programs fit your needs, not the other way around. It’s your G.I. Bill®, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Want to learn more about how we’re improving your G.I. Bill experience? Visit VA.gov and follow the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill Facebook page for more resources and the latest updates.
By Terry Warren
Veteran and chief of VA Education Service’s Stakeholder Engagement team