One of the most valuable benefits of the GI Bill is the monthly housing allowance it provides while veterans are enrolled in school. But how much does the GI Bill pay for housing? And what factors determine the amount? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about GI Bill housing allowances.
GI Bill Housing Allowance Overview
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides a monthly housing allowance (MHA) in addition to covering tuition costs, This helps veterans pay for housing while attending college or job training programs,
The housing allowance amount depends on
- Your GI Bill eligibility percentage
- If you’re attending in-person or online
- How many course credits you’re taking
- Where you go to school
You must be enrolled at least half-time to qualify for the housing stipend, Full-time students get the maximum amount,
Eligibility Percentage
This is based on your length of active duty service. 100% eligibility is for veterans with at least 36 months of active duty. Veterans with less time in service get a prorated percentage of full GI Bill benefits.
In-Person vs. Online
The housing allowance is higher for in-person programs at brick-and-mortar schools. Online-only students get a reduced national average amount.
Course Load
Taking 12 credits or more is considered full-time. But your housing payment decreases if you drop below full-time enrollment.
School Location
For in-person learning, the GI Bill housing allowance is based on the military’s Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates for each area. So your payment will be higher in places with higher costs of living.
Monthly Housing Allowance Rates
The maximum GI Bill housing allowance for 2023 is:
- Up to $2,170 per month for in-person learning
- Up to $595 per month for online-only learning
This is for students at 100% GI Bill eligibility attending school full-time.
The actual amount you receive will likely differ based on individual factors covered above. You can estimate your rate using the official GI Bill Comparison Tool.
Tips to Maximize Your Housing Allowance
Here are some tips to get the most out of your GI Bill housing benefits:
- Attend in-person classes when possible
- Maintain full-time enrollment
- Consider higher cost-of-living areas like large cities
- Pick a school near military bases for higher BAH rates
- Split time between in-person and online classes
Also keep in mind that the MHA is paid at the end of each month, so plan accordingly. And you won’t receive payments between terms or during school breaks.
Applying for GI Bill Housing Allowances
You don’t have to apply separately for the housing allowance. If you’re eligible for GI Bill benefits, the housing stipend will automatically be included in your award letter.
Here’s how to start using your GI Bill benefits:
- Apply online using the GI Bill website
- Get a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) letter
- Submit COE to your school’s VA certifying official
- Register for classes and confirm enrollment to VA
Once enrolled, your monthly housing payments will be directly deposited to you each month you qualify.
Housing Allowances Help Veterans Succeed
The GI Bill housing stipend makes it possible for veterans to focus on school by helping cover living expenses. It’s a huge benefit that provides financial security during the transition back to civilian life.
Understanding how the monthly housing allowance works helps veterans maximize this benefit. Attending school full-time at an in-person program in an area with a higher BAH rate will result in the largest payout. With the right school and enrollment choices, veterans can stretch those dollars even further.
Am I eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 3 benefits?
You may be eligible for education benefits if you meet at least one of these requirements.
At least one of these must be true:
- You served at least 90 days on active duty (either all at once or with breaks in service) on or after September 11, 2001, or
- You received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged after any amount of service, or
- You served for at least 30 continuous days (all at once, without a break in service) on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged with a service-connected disability, or
- You’re a dependent child using benefits transferred by a qualifying Veteran or service member
Note: If you’re a member of the Reserves who lost education benefits when the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) ended in November 2015, you may qualify to receive restored benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
What benefits can I get through the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 3?
- Tuition and fees. If you qualify for the maximum benefit, we’ll cover the full cost of public, in-state tuition and fees. We cap the rates for private and foreign schools, and update those rates each year.Check the current payment rates for the Post-9/11 GI BillFind out if you can get in-state tuition rates as an out-of-state student
- Money for housing (if you’re in school more than half time). We’ll base your monthly housing allowance on the cost of living where your school is located.
- Money for books and supplies. You can receive up to the maximum stipend per school year.
- Money to help you move from a rural area to go to school. You may qualify for a one-time payment if you live in a county with 6 or fewer people per square mile and you’re either moving at least 500 miles to go to school or have no other option but to fly by plane to get to your school.
GI Bill Housing Allowance Explained (BAH)
FAQ
Do you get housing allowance with GI Bill?
Does the GI Bill cover housing and food?
Can you use GI Bill for living expenses?
Does the GI Bill cover buying a house?
How much is GI Bill housing allowance?
For full-time students participating in an online institution, school, or distance-learning program, the Post-9/11 GI Bill housing allowance amount is $1,177.50 which will be effective from Aug. 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025. Calculate your GI Bill Housing Allowance using the calculator.
What is the GI Bill monthly housing allowance (MHA)?
The GI Bill Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) is a stipend provided to eligible veterans, service members, and their dependents using the Post-9/11 GI Bill to pursue education or training. The MHA helps cover living expenses while students are enrolled in an educational program.
Who is eligible for the GI Bill housing allowance?
Several factors define your eligibility for the GI Bill Housing Allowance, chief among them your duration of active-duty service. You have to have served at least 90 days of active service after September 10, 2001, to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and related housing allowance.
How much does the GI Bill pay a month?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill also pays a monthly housing allowance based on the ZIP code of the location of the school or campus where you attend the majority of your classes. This stipend averages $1,934.80 a month but can exceed $2,700 depending on where you go to school.
Does GI Bill pay for school while on active duty?
If you use your GI Bill benefits to pay for school while on active duty, you will not receive a monthly housing stipend from the GI Bill in addition to the housing allowance you’re already receiving from the military. Depending on which school you attend, that housing stipend could be worth as much as the tuition coverage and possibly more.
What is included in the GI Bill?
It includes payment of tuition and fees, a monthly housing allowance and a stipend for textbooks and supplies for up to 36 months. The GI Bill traces its history back to World War II when the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act was enacted to provide education and training, home loan guarantee and other benefits for veterans.