On-Campus Housing Options for Veterans
This article is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of all the housing options available at every institution. This a snapshot of what was available at select schools at press time.
Academic years (see below) are calculated at a conservative 8 months of eligibility to account for breaks and summer, and all housing discussed is either on-campus or campus-affiliated. All dollar amounts are estimates and subject to change. Your experience may vary.
DoD policy states that military housing allowances are intended to offset housing costs, not pay for them in full. When reading the information below, please remember that MHA is not paid during breaks in the school calendar, and your housing allowance has been adjusted accordingly.
A 2023 Pew Research report revealed some startling data: 63% of veterans eligible for the full monthly housing allowance (MHA) struggle to afford housing, and 24% of these veterans reported that the MHA covers only half or less of their housing expenses. That data also illustrated a direct correlation between the percentage of housing provided by the MHA and the amount of debt incurred.
Understanding the Housing Cost Gap for Student Veterans
At first glance, the numbers may seem manageable. According to Unbiased, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the United States and the average monthly Military Housing Allowance (MHA) are comparable, hovering around $1,800 at press time in 2024. That amount is subject to change from year to year.
What causes the shortfall that leads to debt? Finding a single reason is tricky since so much revolves around individual circumstances. Factors such as the high rent in expensive areas and added costs like childcare, utilities, and transportation can all contribute. Students may feel forced to close this financial gap with loans, personal funds, or other financial support.
Things to Consider
As you review the options at the campuses you are looking at, here are some things to consider:
- Do you want to live on campus or off?
- Do you want a roommate or single housing?
- Do you prefer being in a dorm or apartment?
- Do you want to be in housing with other veterans?
Read more: The GI Bill Guide for Students
Using your Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) on Campus
Since the cost of housing may play a big part in your school selection, let’s discuss how much MHA you may be eligible for. The amount of MHA you will receive depends on several factors, including the cost of living in the location of the main campus of the school you are attending and your “rate of pursuit”—essentially, the number of credits you are taking.
If you’re attending class online, you receive a percentage of the housing allowance offered to an E5 at the with-dependents rate.
If you plan to attend school in person, the monthly MHA you may qualify for ranges from about $1,000 to more than $4500 per month in schools in more expensive areas like New York City or San Francisco.
According to Business Insider, the average cost of campus-affiliated housing is $13,310 at public schools and $15,200 at the time of this writing in 2024. Future years may have different numbers. Check with the college you wish to attend for the most up-t0-date figures.
We have included information on housing for breaks or summers when available, but you should always confirm the institution’s policies as they are subject to change.
For this article, housing estimates assume that:
- The school you are attending is a 4-year institution.
- You qualify for the maximum Post-9/11 housing entitlement (not online).
- You are attending school full-time.
- You are considered in-state (most states).
- You receive 8 months of entitlement (very conservative).
Campus Housing by the Numbers
Let’s start with two examples of how far a full MHA will go in two states with very different housing costs. Again, annual fees are calculated at 8 months to account for various breaks in the school’s academic calendar. For this discussion, we selected a private and public institution – one from the East and the other from the West Coast.
University of South Carolina (USC)
The University of South Carolina Columbia is home to a large population of service members and veterans. The average cost of basic dormitory housing is $11,400.
With an MHA of around $1850 per month and an average monthly cost of $1650, based on 8 months, your annual Post-9/11 GI bill entitlement of about $14,800 could handily cover the academic year cost of $11,400.
If you require a meal plan or plan to stay for the summer, you might need to pay out of pocket for those extra expenses. It’s worth noting that some schools offer discounts for summer months or other financial assistance, so be sure to check with the university to find out what options are available.
Meal plans may be mandatory for first-year students but are often waived for non-traditional students, particularly if you are in apartments or family housing. Exemptions may include your age, credits transferred, and whether you are married or have a family. Be sure to check with your prospective school to learn their policies.
The University of Southern California (USC)
USC is a private school with an on-campus housing program specifically designed for single veterans. Its 31 slots are open to undergraduate and graduate students and include studios, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom apartments.
Costing $1650 per month at press time, if you plan to stay through breaks and the summer, know that all contracts are for 12 months. And with an average 8-month MHA of $3662 – a total of $29,296 per academic year – you will cover that 12-month total of $19,800.
Your school may offer veterans scholarships or other financial support, so if you’re having trouble affording housing, it’s worth checking in with the veterans or housing offices on campus.
USD is a private school in San Diego, a town with a much higher cost of living and tuition at $57.000. USD is a Yellow Ribbon school so if you’re 100% eligible for Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill), the VA and the university will likely fill the gap.
Starting with the basic dorm housing, the estimated cost of living expenses and fees at the University of San Diego for dormitory living is approximately $17,000 for the fall and spring semesters. MHA for this school at press time is just under $4,000.
Over the eight-month qualifying period, this totals around $32,000. This amount should be sufficient to cover the basic costs of on-campus housing.
USD also has several off-campus apartment communities that are convenient to campus. These are available for couples and families, and many extras, like electricity, water, cable, and internet, are built into the rent.
One example is Coast Communities, where the rent was just under $2,000 for an annual (12-month) total of around $24,000. A veterans-designated house also offers well-equipped apartments for single veterans in the $7,000 per semester range.
Many different housing options are available at colleges and universities to accommodate you and your family, so it’s best to check directly with the schools you’re interested in. As you can see, campus housing costs are not necessarily consistent with the local cost of living.
Read more: The GI Bill Guide for Students
Veteran Designated Housing
Military-connected housing at San Diego State University
SDSU offers 6 furnished 3-bedroom apartments rented out individually, including common areas and kitchens.
These are available to veterans and dependents who are full-time students. While the cost for these rooms was not specified, considering the average campus housing rate is approximately $20,000 for an 11 ½ month lease, with the local MHA of around $4,000 for 8 months, or pop about $32,000, should be more than adequate.
Veterans House at Cornell University
Cornell offers a housing option called Veterans House to veterans, dependents, ROTC members, and those studying government-related fields like law, policy, history, and political science. The 26 rooms are open to undergraduate, upper-level, transfer, and graduate students. This housing is offered 12 months a year.
Residents can access study rooms, a library, laundry, and kitchen facilities. Based on other campus community living residences, the estimated monthly lease of a furnished apartment is $1350 for an 8-month total of $10,800 or $16,200 per year.
With the monthly MHA of $2,450 and annual entitlement of $19,600, you should be covered for the entire year, even with a modest meal plan.
Remember that MHA is not paid during breaks in the school calendar and your housing allowance is adjusted accordingly.
Family Housing
OSU offers veterans and their families the opportunity to utilize family housing as an option. The 107-unit complex includes 1-3-bedroom apartments with most utilities, a community center, playgrounds, and a laundry facility. The complex is within several miles of elementary, middle, and high schools.
These unfurnished units average about $1100 monthly or $13,200 for a 12-month lease. With the local MHA of $2010 at press time, your 8-month entitlement would be about $16,080, leaving you a few bucks left over. Most utilities are included, and no meal plan is required.
If you’re learning online, the state of Oregon has established a grant program to fill the gap between the residential and distance learning MHAs. Check with the State of Oregon to determine eligibility for your upcoming academic year.
Read more: The GI Bill Guide for Students
Housing for First-Year Student Veterans
Penn State University Special Living Option (SLO)
Penn State’s SLO program is tailored to first-year student veterans who are often ineligible for alternative housing options. Housing is furnished four-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments with kitchens, common areas, and laundry rooms.
When it’s time to decide where to live after your freshman year, the university provides a housing fair where you can explore both on- and off-campus residences.
The apartments allocated for student veterans cost approximately $940 monthly, totaling $11,280 for a 12-month lease. With the College Park Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) of $1,551 per month at press time, your academic year entitlement of $12,480 may be sufficient to cover a complete year of rent.
The apartments are contracted for the academic year, so it is best to check how summer rent is calculated and whether you can remain on campus during breaks.
Of Note: If your housing exceeds the amount your MHA covers, you may be able to use a Pell Grant to cover the difference. Using the GI Bill may result in your Pell Grant being refunded back to you.
Housing for Women Veterans
Stephens College Mission Promise Kept
Stephens is an example of colleges with housing options designed specifically for women veterans. The program is open to those admitted to the women’s college and either hold an honorable discharge or are working to improve their discharge rating.
This is a living and learning model offering a network of on- and off-campus services, including medical, academic, legal, social services, childcare, tutoring, and other resources designed to help female veterans succeed in the classroom and their professional endeavors. Children are welcome, and if you want to bring Fido, you’re in luck—they’re welcome too, as over 35% of students have a pet.
Housing is offered in 2—to 4-bedroom apartments, including kitchens, living rooms, private bathrooms, and laundry. At press time, they offered a 12-month option at just under $10,000. With a monthly MHA of just under $1200, your 8-month total would be approximately $9,600.
Resources from state programs or private foundations may be available if you need extra funds to cover your housing expenses. If these resources are need-based, you will be required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For merit-based grants, this requirement may not apply.
Read more: The GI Bill Guide for Students
Other Resources
Operation Stand Down Rhode Island (OSDRI)
OSDRI provides housing assistance for low-income and disabled veterans. Housed on campuses across the state, the program focuses on offering multi-faceted support services. State residents on campuses.
The University of South Dakota Military Affiliated Living-Learning Community (USD)
USD Military Affiliated LLC was specifically built just for veterans. This partnership between the school’s ROTC programs is housed adjacent to the Veterans Resource office and aims to ease the transition to college life. It offers specialized support with financial aid, military benefits, and access to other academic resources.
The LLC housing consists of basic single or double dorm rooms in a wing reserved for student veterans. The monthly housing allowance (MHA) for the main campus in Vermillion, South Dakota, is $1,470 at press time. Your experience may vary.
Over eight months, this totals $11,760, which exceeds the cost of two semesters of single-room housing, estimated at $7,000. There is limited information on break or summer housing, so it is best to inquire with the veterans or housing office.
Before You Apply
Before you commit, take a hard look at how far your Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) will go based on the cost of living in your chosen area. As noted above, you may be surprised at how the MHA compares to college or university-affiliated housing.
Ultimately, the goal is to find housing that works within your budget and avoid the stress of accumulating debt. Stable, affordable housing is not just a convenience—it’s a foundation that allows you to focus on academics, build connections, and transition successfully to life on campus.
Read more: The GI Bill Guide for Students
About the author
Wendy Ann Lang
Wendy Ann Lang is the President and Founder of Operation College Promise. Wendy regularly presents at national conferences as a subject matter expert in best practices to support the military-connected student population. She is a founding member of the Stockton University Veterans’ Advisory Board and was awarded their “Veterans’ Advocate of the Year” in 2017. From 2020 to 2024, Wendy led the Bush Institutes’ Higher Education and Employment Task Forces, focusing on contemporary initiatives to optimize student veterans' postsecondary success and reduce barriers to employment in high-demand fields.