GI Bill Benefits for Spouses: How To Fund Your Training

1. Post-9/11 GI Bill® for Spouses

The Post-9/11 GI Bill® was designed for active-duty service members and veterans. However, if your service member spouse is still on active duty, they can transfer all or part of their education benefits to you and any dependents. 

To be eligible, your active-duty spouse must:

• Have completed at least six years of service
• Commit to serving four more years
• Have entered you into the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) 

 The reimbursement bill covers:

• Tuition
• Licensing fees and national exams
• Books and school supplies
• Tutor assistance
• Work-study programs 

*Transferred GI Bill® education benefits for spouses also cover housing and relocation from rural areas if you’re enrolled in in-person schooling. 

You can use the GI Bill® reimbursement funds without time limits if your spouse was discharged on or after January 1, 2013 (and transferred the benefits while on active duty). If they left the service before this date, you’ll have 15 years from the date they were discharged to use the benefits.

2. Using the GI Bill® at MedCerts (Reimbursement Model)

To use the GI Bill® benefits for military spouses, simply enroll with an approved training provider — like MedCerts. MedCerts offers 20+ GI Bill®-authorized healthcare and IT training programs designed for portable, in-demand careers. 

Here’s how the reimbursement model works at MedCerts:

1. Enroll in a GI Bill®-approved program.
2. Pay the initial down payment.
3. Set up a payment plan for the remaining tuition.
4. Complete your course and certification.
5. Submit Form 22-10272 to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), along with payment receipts and proof of enrollment.

3. Complementary Options (Beyond the GI Bill®)

Sometimes GI Bill® reimbursement isn’t an option, or you may want to explore complementary funding. As a military spouse, you can apply for the MyCAA scholarship to access low- to no-cost career training. In some cases, you may even be able to use MyCAA for part of your tuition and receive GI Bill® reimbursement for the remainder. 

MyCAA gives you up to $4,000 (two $2,000 payments over two years) to put toward your education. You’ll need to meet the eligibility requirements, choose a MyCAA-approved program and get approval from the Department of Defense’s Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) center. MedCerts offers 30+ MyCAA-approved certifications in healthcare and IT, all designed for portable, military-friendly careers.

Launch Your Career With MedCerts and GI Bill® Reimbursement

Now is the perfect time to enroll in career training designed for portable, military-friendly careers. With MedCerts’ in-demand programs and GI Bill® benefits for family members, you can focus on building a successful future wherever your journey takes you.