Estimate Your GI Bill Housing Allowance
12+ credits = full time. You must be over 50% to get any MHA.
Defaults to the national average. Look up the E-5 with-dependents rate for your school's ZIP code.
How the GI Bill Housing Allowance Is Calculated
The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) while you are in school. The VA uses three things to set your payment:
- Your eligibility tier. This is the percentage of the full benefit you earned, based on how long you served. Only veterans with 36+ months of qualifying service get the full 100%.
- Where you take classes. The VA uses the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate for an E-5 with dependents at the ZIP code of your school. High-cost cities pay much more than rural areas.
- Your rate of pursuit. This is how many classes you take. Full time is 12 credit hours. You must be enrolled at more than 50% to get any housing money.
The basic formula is simple:
MHA = Local E-5 (with dependents) BAH × Tier % × Rate of Pursuit %
Online vs. In-Person Housing Rates (2026–2027)
Where you take classes changes your rate a lot. Here are the 2026–2027 maximums (for a 100% tier, full-time student):
| Type of Enrollment | Max Monthly MHA (2026–2027) |
|---|---|
| In person at a U.S. school | Local E-5 BAH (varies by ZIP) |
| Online only (distance learning) | $1,261 |
| Foreign school (in person) | $2,522 |
The online-only rate is half the national average BAH. Taking even one in-person class can qualify you for the higher local rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the GI Bill housing allowance in 2026?
It depends on your school's location. The VA uses the E-5 with-dependents BAH rate for your school's ZIP code. Online-only students get $1,261 per month for the 2026–2027 year. In-person rates in big cities can be much higher.
Does the GI Bill pay BAH over the summer?
You only get MHA for the days you are enrolled. If you take summer classes at more than half time, you keep getting paid. During breaks between terms, payments usually stop.
Why is my MHA lower than the full rate?
Two common reasons: your eligibility tier is below 100%, or your course load is part time. The VA prorates your housing money by both. Active-duty students and their spouses using transferred benefits do not get MHA.