How Much Is Your BAH for the GI Bill?

The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides education benefits to eligible service members, veterans, and their dependents pursuing higher education or training. A key component is the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA), often called BAH for the GI Bill. This allowance helps cover living expenses while enrolled in approved programs. The MHA is a tax-free stipend paid directly to the student at the end of each month.

Key Factors Determining Your Rate

The Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) you receive through the Post-9/11 GI Bill is not a fixed sum. It depends on several factors, and understanding them is essential for estimating your potential benefit.

Location of Your School

The location of your school plays a primary role in determining your MHA. The housing allowance is tied to the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates for an E-5 with dependents in the ZIP code of the school’s physical campus. These rates are updated annually, typically taking effect on August 1st for the academic year.

Your Enrollment Status

Your enrollment status, or “rate of pursuit,” directly impacts the MHA amount. For undergraduate students, full-time enrollment is generally 12 credit hours in a standard term. If enrolled for fewer credits, your rate of pursuit is calculated as a percentage of the full-time load; for example, 9 credits out of 12 full-time credits results in a 75% rate of pursuit. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rounds this percentage to the nearest 10% to determine your MHA payment. To be eligible for any MHA, your rate of pursuit must be greater than 50%.

Your Eligibility Tier

The percentage of benefits you are eligible for, or “eligibility tier,” is based on your aggregate active-duty service time after September 10, 2001. For example, 36 or more months of active duty service typically qualifies you for 100% of the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Shorter periods of service result in a tiered percentage, such as 90% for 30 to 35 months, 80% for 24 to 29 months, and 70% for 18 to 23 months. The calculated MHA amount is then multiplied by this eligibility percentage. For instance, if your calculated MHA is $1,000 and your eligibility is 80%, you would receive $800.

Program Type

Program type generally does not differentiate MHA amounts for in-person attendance, whether undergraduate, graduate, or vocational. However, programs conducted exclusively online have a different MHA calculation.

Accessing Current BAH Rates

Finding current Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) rates is straightforward using official resources. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides tools to help you estimate your benefit.

VA GI Bill Comparison Tool

The VA GI Bill Comparison Tool is the primary resource for estimating your housing allowance. To use this tool, input information such as the school’s name or ZIP code, your enrollment status, and your Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility percentage. The tool then provides an estimated housing allowance along with other benefit details.

Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO)

While the Comparison Tool is recommended, you can also access official BAH rate tables directly. The Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website publishes the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates. When looking up rates, select the E-5 with dependents rate for your school’s ZIP code. These tables are updated annually, with new rates typically effective January 1st, though MHA adjustments for the GI Bill academic year begin August 1st.

School Certifying Official

For personalized guidance and confirmation, consult with your school’s certifying official. These officials are knowledgeable about VA benefits and can help verify your eligibility and the MHA amount applicable to your enrollment.

Common Scenarios Affecting BAH

Several scenarios can modify or eliminate a student’s Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. These variations impact the financial support received.

Online Courses

Students enrolled exclusively in online courses receive a different MHA rate than those attending in-person classes. For online-only enrollment, the MHA is based on 50% of the national average BAH rate for an E-5 with dependents. This national average rate is generally lower than location-specific BAH rates. For example, the rate for full-time online students was $1,169.00 per month until July 31, 2026. Your rate of pursuit must still be greater than 50% to receive an MHA for online courses.

Active Duty Status

Individuals still on active duty are generally not entitled to the monthly housing allowance. Their housing needs are already met through active-duty military pay and Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH).

Dependents Using Transferred Benefits

Dependents, such as spouses or children, using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits generally receive the same housing allowance as the veteran. This MHA is based on the school’s ZIP code and the dependent’s enrollment status. However, a spouse using transferred benefits is not eligible for MHA while the service member is on active duty. A child using transferred benefits may qualify for the MHA even if the service member is on active duty.

Less Than Half-Time Enrollment

Students enrolled at less than half-time (50% or less rate of pursuit) do not receive the standard monthly housing allowance. Instead, they may receive a pro-rated housing stipend equal to their tuition and fees, up to the maximum housing allowance.

Study Abroad Programs

For students participating in approved study abroad programs, the MHA calculation can vary. If attending a U.S.-based school on an overseas military installation, the housing allowance is typically based on the BAH for an E-5 with dependents for the school’s main stateside campus. If attending a foreign school directly, the monthly housing allowance is generally based on the national average MHA. For the 2025-2026 academic year, this rate for a full-time student at a foreign school is $2,338.00 per month.