How Much Does the GI Bill Pay for Online Classes?
Understand how the GI Bill supports your online education. Get clear insights into benefit calculations and payment processes for distance learning.
The GI Bill provides educational benefits to qualifying service members, veterans, and their dependents, supporting their pursuit of higher education and job training. This federal program eases the financial burden, covering costs for various educational paths, including online learning. The flexibility of online classes makes them a valuable option for many beneficiaries, enabling them to pursue studies from diverse locations and on varied schedules.
GI Bill Programs for Online Learning
Several GI Bill programs apply to online education, primarily the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) and the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB-AD Chapter 30 and MGIB-SR Chapter 1606). The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes tuition, fees, a housing allowance, and funds for books and supplies. Payments are made directly to the school and to the student.
In contrast, the Montgomery GI Bill programs (Chapter 30 and Chapter 1606) provide a fixed monthly payment directly to the student. This stipend helps cover educational and living expenses, and its amount does not differentiate between online or in-person enrollment.
Calculating Online Class Payments
GI Bill payments for online classes vary by program. Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), tuition and fees are paid directly to the educational institution. Public in-state tuition and fees are typically covered in full, while private or foreign schools have a national maximum cap. As of August 1, 2025, this cap can be over $28,937.09 annually.
For online students, the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) is a fixed national rate, 50% of the national average Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents. This MHA for exclusively online students is approximately $1,169.00 per month as of August 1, 2025. If a student takes at least one in-person class, even alongside online courses, they may be eligible for the higher resident MHA rate, based on the school’s physical location.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill also provides an annual stipend for books and supplies, up to $1,000 per academic year. This is paid directly to the student at the beginning of each term.
For Montgomery GI Bill programs (Chapter 30 and Chapter 1606), the payment structure is simpler. These programs provide a set monthly stipend directly to the student, regardless of online or in-person enrollment. For example, MGIB-Active Duty (Chapter 30) can provide up to $1,994 per month for full-time enrollment. MGIB-Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606) offers a full-time rate of approximately $481.00 per month.
Variables Affecting Your Benefit Amount
Several factors influence the final GI Bill benefit amount for online learning. The student’s enrollment status dictates the percentage of the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) received under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. For online students, MHA requires enrollment at more than half-time. Less than full-time enrollment results in a prorated MHA payment, based on the student’s rate of pursuit.
Most GI Bill programs provide benefits for a finite period, typically 36 months. Payments cease once this entitlement is exhausted.
The “rate of pursuit” for Post-9/11 GI Bill beneficiaries taking online courses is determined by credit hours, directly impacting the MHA percentage. The type of educational institution also affects tuition and fees covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. While in-state tuition at public schools is fully covered, private and foreign schools have an annual national maximum. Students attending higher-cost private institutions may be responsible for tuition and fees exceeding this limit.
Receiving Your GI Bill Payments
Receiving GI Bill payments for online classes begins with applying for benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Once enrolled in an approved online program, the educational institution certifies the student’s enrollment to the VA.
Payment disbursement methods vary by benefit type. For Post-9/11 GI Bill beneficiaries, tuition and fees are paid directly to the school, while the Monthly Housing Allowance and books and supplies stipend are disbursed directly to the student via direct deposit. Montgomery GI Bill recipients receive their fixed monthly payment directly. To ensure continuous benefits, Montgomery GI Bill beneficiaries must verify their enrollment with the VA monthly. Payments arrive after the school certifies enrollment and the VA processes the claim, usually within a few weeks of the enrollment period start or monthly verification.