Does The GI Bill Pay For Online Classes?

The GI Bill is one of the most generous education benefits programs in the country, providing financial assistance to veterans and their families pursuing higher education. With online classes becoming increasingly popular, many veterans wonder if the GI Bill will cover the costs of online programs. The short answer is yes – with some caveats. In this article, we’ll break down exactly how the GI Bill handles online classes and programs.

Overview of the GI Bill

First, a quick refresher on the different GI Bill programs:

• Montgomery GI Bill – For veterans who served on active duty and paid $100/month for 12 months to enroll in the program, Offers a monthly stipend for 36 months of education benefits

• Post 9/11 GI Bill – For veterans who served on active duty after September 10, 2001. Covers tuition and fees, provides a monthly housing allowance, and gives a stipend for textbooks and supplies. Benefits are tiered based on length of service.

• Transfer of Entitlement – Allows veterans to transfer Post 9/11 benefits to dependents like spouses and children.

The Post 9/11 GI Bill is the most commonly used program today Both the Montgomery and Post 9/11 GI Bills will cover online classes, but there are some key differences in how benefits are calculated.

Do GI Bill Programs Cover 100% Online Degrees?

The short answer is yes! The GI Bill will cover online degree programs at accredited schools, whether you’re pursuing an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree. This includes tuition, fees, textbooks, and a monthly housing allowance.

The VA makes no distinction between online and in-person programs. As long as the program is offered by an accredited school approved for GI Bill benefits, you can use your benefits for online classes.

Over 1 million student veterans have used the GI Bill for online learning over the past 5 years. As online programs continue to grow in popularity, this number will only increase.

How Does the Housing Allowance Work for Online Programs?

Here’s where things get a bit complicated. While the GI Bill covers online classes at the same benefit rates, how the monthly housing allowance (MHA) is calculated depends on whether you are attending in-person or online.

For in-person programs, your MHA is based on the location of your school. This is called the “resident” MHA rate, and it equals the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents in that area.

However, for online programs, you receive a flat national average MHA rate:

• Full-time: $988/month

• 3/4-time: $741/month

• Half-time: $494/month

This means your housing allowance will likely be lower if pursuing an online program compared to in-person classes at a local university.

The upside is that your MHA for online classes won’t change if you move or travel. And if you take at least one course in-person, you qualify for the higher “resident” MHA rate.

Can I Take Some Online and Some In-Person Classes?

Absolutely! Many students take a mix of online and in-person classes, whether pursuing a degree or just taking courses.

The GI Bill will cover both online and in-person classes within the same term. As long as you take at least one in-person course, you’ll receive the higher “resident” MHA rate based on your school’s location for that term.

This is a great option if your school offers online courses but you want to maximize your housing allowance. Just make sure to enroll in at least one course that meets on campus to qualify for the resident MHA rate.

Are There Limits on Online Class Benefits?

The Post 9/11 GI Bill places a 36 month (4 academic years) limit on total benefits, applicable to both online and in-person programs. Your eligibility tier will determine how much of the maximum benefit you receive:

• 100% eligibility = 36 months of benefits
• 90% eligibility = 33 months
• 80% eligibility = 30 months
• 70% eligibility = 27 months
• 60% eligibility = 24 months
• 50% eligibility = 18 months

For most veterans, this limit poses no problem for completing an undergraduate degree. Master’s programs usually take 2-3 years as well.

Doctoral and professional degree programs may require more time, in which case you’d need to either pay out-of-pocket beyond 36 months or utilize scholarships, grants, student loans, etc.

What Other Costs Does the GI Bill Cover?

In addition to tuition and housing, the GI Bill provides financial assistance with other education-related costs:

• Textbooks & Supplies – You’ll receive an annual stipend ($1,000 for full-time students) to help cover books, laptops, and other supplies.

• Licensing & Certifications – Up to $2,000 can be reimbursed for licensing and certification tests related to your program of study.

• Tutoring Assistance – If you need extra help with coursework, you can be reimbursed up to $100 per month for a tutor.

All of these additional payments apply equally to online and in-person students. The only difference is how your monthly housing allowance is determined.

Tips for Maximizing Your Online Class Benefits

• Take at least one in-person class per term to qualify for the higher “resident” MHA rate.

• Consider completing some general education credits through cheaper online classes to save benefits for major courses.

• Look into tuition assistance programs like the Yellow Ribbon Program to help cover costs beyond the GI Bill’s coverage.

• Research scholarships and grants specifically for online and military students.

• Set up automatic payments from your MHA so housing costs are covered seamlessly.

• Contact your school’s VA/military representative with any GI Bill or benefits questions.

The Bottom Line

The GI Bill provides generous education benefits that can absolutely be used to cover online classes and degree programs. There is no disadvantage to pursuing an online education – only a difference in how your monthly housing allowance is determined. With a mix of online and local in-person classes, you can make the GI Bill work for the flexibility of online learning while maximizing your total benefits.