Do I Get BAH for Trade School With the GI Bill?
Understand how the GI Bill's housing allowance supports your trade school education, detailing eligibility, calculation, and payment for students.
Individuals pursuing vocational training, often through trade schools, may wonder about financial assistance for living expenses. While the term “BAH” or Basic Allowance for Housing is commonly used within military communities, the housing benefit for students utilizing GI Bill benefits is officially known as the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA). This allowance is a significant component of the support available to veterans, service members, and their eligible dependents as they pursue approved education or training programs.
Basic Allowance for Housing and Education Benefits
The Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) is a financial benefit provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to assist eligible students with living expenses while they are enrolled in an approved educational or training program. Unlike the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), which is a Department of Defense (DoD) entitlement for active-duty service members to cover off-base housing costs, MHA is specifically designed for GI Bill beneficiaries. BAH rates are determined by pay grade, location, and dependent status, whereas MHA calculations begin with the equivalent of an E-5 with dependents rate. The MHA is a direct payment to the student, intended to help cover housing and other living costs, and is not directly tied to the specific housing expenses charged by the educational institution.
Eligibility for Education Housing Allowance
Eligibility for the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) depends on the specific GI Bill program utilized and the student’s enrollment conditions. The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) includes MHA, requiring at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after September 10, 2001, or 30 continuous days if discharged due to a service-connected disability, with an honorable discharge. Benefits, including MHA, are tiered based on the total length of active duty service; for instance, 36 months or more of service typically qualifies for 100% of benefits, while 180 to 544 days of service qualifies for 60%.
The Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR, Chapter 1606) also offers a housing allowance, with eligibility generally tied to a six-year service commitment in the Selected Reserve. Veterans participating in the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program, also known as Chapter 31, may receive a subsistence allowance. If a VR&E beneficiary is also eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, their subsistence allowance may be based on the Post-9/11 GI Bill’s MHA rate.
For trade schools and other vocational programs to qualify for MHA, they must be approved by the VA. A student’s enrollment status impacts MHA eligibility and amount. To receive MHA, students must be enrolled at a rate greater than half-time. Individuals on active duty generally do not receive MHA because they are already receiving housing benefits.
Calculating Your Monthly Housing Allowance
The Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) calculation is based on the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate for an E-5 with dependents. This rate is determined by the ZIP code of the school’s physical campus where the student attends the majority of their classes. MHA rates are updated annually, typically on August 1st.
The amount received is prorated based on the student’s enrollment rate, often referred to as their “rate of pursuit.” For instance, if a school considers 12 credit hours to be full-time and a student enrolls for 8 credit hours, which is 67% of a full load, their MHA would be rounded up to 70% of the applicable housing allowance.
For those enrolled exclusively in online courses, the MHA is calculated at a reduced rate, typically half the national average BAH for an E-5 with dependents. As of July 31, 2026, this rate is $1,169.00 per month. Taking at least one in-person class can qualify the student for the higher, location-based resident MHA rate. Any changes in enrollment or short breaks can result in prorated payments, meaning the MHA amount might be less than a full month’s payment.
Steps to Receive Your Housing Allowance
To begin receiving your Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA), the initial step involves applying for GI Bill benefits. This can be done by submitting VA Form 22-1990, which is available online through VA.gov. For family members using transferred benefits, VA Form 22-1990E is the appropriate application.
After the application is submitted, the VA processes it and, upon approval, issues a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which typically takes about 30 days to receive. Once the COE is received, the student must provide it to their school’s VA certifying official. This official is responsible for certifying the student’s enrollment to the VA, which is a necessary step for benefit payments to commence.
MHA payments are disbursed directly to the student, usually via direct deposit, and are typically paid at the end of each month for the prior month’s attendance. For Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) beneficiaries receiving MHA, monthly enrollment verification is required to ensure continuous payments. This verification can often be completed quickly and securely via text message, email, online through Ask VA, or by phone. Failure to verify enrollment for two consecutive months can lead to a pause in benefit payments.