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GI Bill Payment Dates and Rates

Updated Payment Dates and Rates for the GI Bill

GI Bill payment rates are based on the academic school year and may be sent from August 1st of one year to July 31st of the next.

Post 9/11 GI Bill Housing Payment Dates

GI Bill housing payment dates are typically paid the first week of the month after the month you enrolled. GI Bill housing payments go to the student, unlike GI Bill payments, which are sent directly to the school.

GI Bill housing payments are not made on the same dates each month. Your payment times may vary depending on a variety of factors. New students may experience a delay in payments at first but should be consistent after the process starts.

RELATED: GI Bill BAH Rates

GI Bill Tuition Payment Rates

All payment and maximum amounts listed below are for those eligible for the full-time benefit, which is 100%. If you are not eligible for the 100%, your amounts will be prorated based on your eligibility percentage.

The Maximum Tuition and Fee Reimbursement differs based on the type of school that you attend. Here is the breakdown:

Public School

Pays for all tuition and fee payments for an in-state student. VA.gov states, “We’ll pay the net tuition and mandatory fees. You may be able to get in-state tuition rates at a public school even if you haven’t lived in the state where the school is located” so be sure to discuss these issues with the admissions department.

Private or Foreign School

Pays up to $28,937.09 as of August 1 2024. You might be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program if you are attending a private institution of higher learning (IHL) that is more expensive than the annual cap.

You may qualify for in-state tuition rates if you live in the state where the school is located regardless of your formal state of residence.

RELATED: Yellow Ribbon Schools List

Non-College Degree-Granting Institutions

Actual net costs for in-state tuition and fees up to $28,937.09 in 2024.

For public, private or foreign schools, and non-college degree-granting institutions, you may qualify for a monthly housing allowance, a books and supplies stipend sent to you, and a one-time rural benefit for qualifying veterans.

Apprenticeship and On-the-Job Training Rates

Months of training:

• 1st six months: 100% of your applicable MHA
• 2nd six months: 80% of your applicable MHA
• 3rd six months: 60% of your applicable MHA
• 4th six months: 40% of your applicable MHA
• Remaining pursuit of training: 20% of your applicable MHA

For an apprenticeship and on-the-job training, you may also be eligible to receive a books and supplies stipend sent to you.

• Vocational Flight Schools: The actual net costs are not to exceed $16,535.46 (in 2024) per academic year. The cap applies to all classes and/or enrollments that begin during that academic year, regardless of the academic year in which the classes or enrollments are completed.
• Correspondence Schools: The actual net costs are not to exceed $14,055.13 (2024) per academic year.

National Testing Programs/Licensing & Certification Tests: You can be reimbursed up to $2,000 for licensing and certification tests. There is no maximum with national tests. Your entitlement will be charged a prorated amount based on the actual amount of the fee charged for the test relative to the rate of $2,200.96 for one month.

Hybrid In-Person / Remote Learning

VA states, “We base your monthly housing allowance on the national average.” The VA pays a hybrid housing allowance based on the national average for MHA and for all-online learning that equals half the national average. However, those attending both online and in person may qualify for a higher housing allowance.

Distance Learning Defined

Distance learning includes web-based training, one-way, and two-way transmissions through:

• an open broadcast
• closed circuit
• cable
• microwave broadband lines
• fiber optics
• satellite
• wireless communication devices
• audio conferencing

If those are the only way your class is taught, you will not qualify for the full amount.

Monthly Housing Allowance

Your monthly allowance (MHA) is generally the same as the BAH Rates for an E-5 with dependents. Your MHA is based on the zip code where the school where you take the majority of your classes is located.

MHA rate increases based on BAH are effective August 1st of the new academic year.

If your MHA rates go up, you will see the difference the next academic year, not in January. If they go down, your MHA amount will not change unless you:

• Change schools
• Have more than a 6-month break in training

MHA Rate Exceptions

• Foreign School: $2,355.00 (2024)
• Schools in US Territories: E-5 with dependents OHA Rate for school location
• Exclusively Online Training (No Classroom Instruction): ½ the national average BAH rate.

MHA is not payable if you attend classes at ½ time or less or are an active duty trainee (or transferee spouse of a service member).

Credit Hour Tiers

• 12 semester or quarter hours is considered full-time.
• 9-11 hours is considered three-quarter time.
• 6-8 hours is considered half-time.
• 4-5 credit hours is considered less than half-time.

For 4-5 credit hours, you may be paid at the nearest 10% level. If you take 7 credit hours, that would put you at 58%, and you would receive 60% of the MHA benefit. If you only took 6 units, that would be 50% and you would not qualify for the GI Bill Housing Benefit.

GI Bill Housing Payment Is Less Than I Thought

There could be a situation where the GI Bill Housing Payment is less than you thought it should be. The most common reason for this is that it was a prorated amount based on the number of days in the month you were enrolled.

This typically applies when the term starts in August or in December.  This occurs because you would attend class for approximately half of the month.

Your check could also be off if an overpayment was deducted from your payment or you reduced your training time after you originally enrolled.

Books and Supplies Stipend

The yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000.00 is paid proportionately based on enrollment. You may qualify to receive $500 a semester if you are enrolled full-time. If you are enrolled for less than full-time, you would receive a portion of that $1,000.

You will be given the money at the beginning of the school year, which is different from GI Bill Housing Payments which are paid once a month.

Rural Benefit

There is a one-time payment of $500 which may be payable to certain individuals relocating from highly rural areas. This applies in the case that they reside in a county with 6 persons or less per square mile.

The most recent decennial census determines this and either physically relocate at least 500 miles to attend an educational institution or travel by air to physically attend an educational institution if no other land-based transportation exists

Where Do GI Bill Payments Get Sent?

The school or institution will receive the tuition and fees. Those using the GI Bill benefit will receive the money for books and supplies, monthly housing allowance, and the one-time rural benefit where applicable.

 

RELATED:

• Post-9/11 GI Bill Overview
• How To Get Your Post-911 GI Bill Benefits
• Transferring Your GI Bill to Spouse and Dependents
• Colleges with the Highest GI Bill BAH Rates
• Reserve Pay Dates (@ MyMilitaryBenefits.com)