Post 9/11 GI Bill allows transfer of benefits

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Chris Wuerthner
  • 22 Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
08/14/2009 --  Staff from McConnell's Education Office held a briefing Thursday, Aug 6th on a subject that's become extremely popular in the last few months: the Post 9/11 GI Bill. The briefing held at the base theater and conducted by Steve Homan, Chief of Education and Training, focused on what's probably its most popular feature: transferability:

"The big thing is the ability to transfer benefits to their spouse or to their dependents" said Holman. 

Transferability was the feature most requested by military and family advocacy groups. Any family member eligible for benefit under DEERS, Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, is eligible to receive the transferred benefits. Steve Holman says the government's reason for making the benefits transferable is straightforward. 

"I think it was a bonus to give to our folks who have been serving since 9/11/"
Holman says besides the transferability benefit, another reason enthusiasm for the Post 9/11 bill has exceeded expectations is the housing allowance. It helps pay the students' cost of housing while they attend school. 

"The housing allowance is based on how many credit hours they take. As long as they're above a half time student, they'll get a percentage or the full amount." 

The amount is the housing allowance of an E-5 with dependents. What determines the final dollar figure is the zip code of the college or university. 

Students can now take many of their classes online and still receive the housing allowance as long as they take at least one class in residency at the college or university. It's a recent addition to the Post 9/11 GI Bill and makes the bill, in the words of Jacquelyn Crutchley, Chief, Force Development Flight, the best she's seen. 

"You guys are being taken care of. Congress is taking care of those who matter the most," said Crutchley. 

The transferability option went into effect on August 1st and for more information contact McConnell's Education Office at 759-4240.