Estimate your Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) benefits — Monthly Housing Allowance, tuition coverage, and book stipend — based on your service history and enrollment status.
Service & enrollment details Post-9/11 GI Bill (Ch. 33)
Aggregate active duty determines your tier
Affects Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)
$
Look up at militaryrates.com by zip code. US avg ≈ $1,800–$2,400.
$
Avg public 4-yr: ~$11,000 | Private: no cap applies
Max 36 months. Check your remaining at va.gov
Monthly Housing Allowance
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Tuition covered/year
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Book stipend/year
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Entitlement tier—
Entitlement remaining—
Total monthly value (MHA + prorated tuition)—
Total estimated value of remaining benefits—
Entitlement used
Frequently asked questions
How is the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) calculated? ›
The MHA is based on the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate for an E-5 with dependents at the location of your school. For online-only students, the MHA is a flat national rate (currently half the national BAH average — approximately $1,075/month for full-time enrollment). For hybrid or in-person students, it's based on your school's zip code. You only receive MHA for months you're enrolled at least half-time.
What does the GI Bill cover for tuition? ›
For public in-state schools, the Post-9/11 GI Bill covers 100% of tuition and fees (if you have 100% entitlement). For private and foreign schools, the Yellow Ribbon Program can cover costs above $28,937.09 per academic year (2024–2025 cap). The tuition benefit is paid directly to your school. You are responsible for any costs above the cap if your school doesn't participate in Yellow Ribbon.
What is the Yellow Ribbon Program? ›
Yellow Ribbon is an agreement between the VA and private or out-of-state schools to cover tuition above the GI Bill cap. Participating schools contribute a portion of the excess cost, and the VA matches it dollar-for-dollar. Not all schools participate, and those that do limit the number of Yellow Ribbon spots. If you're considering a private or out-of-state school, confirm Yellow Ribbon participation before enrolling.
Can I transfer my GI Bill benefits to dependents? ›
Yes — active duty service members can transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to a spouse or dependent children while still serving, with at least 6 years of service and a commitment to serve 4 more years. The transfer must be approved through the DoD before leaving service. Once separated, transfer is no longer possible, so this must be done while still active duty.
Does GI Bill housing allowance count as income? ›
No — GI Bill benefits including the MHA, tuition payments, and book stipend are not taxable income and do not need to be reported on your federal tax return. However, they may affect eligibility for some needs-based financial aid programs. Always consult your school's financial aid office to understand how GI Bill benefits interact with other aid you may receive.
About this GI Bill calculator
This calculator estimates your Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) benefits based on your service tier, enrollment status, and school location. It covers the three main benefit components: Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA), tuition and fee coverage, and the annual book stipend.
Finding your exact BAH rate
Your Monthly Housing Allowance is based on the BAH rate for an E-5 with dependents at your school's location. Look up the exact rate at militaryrates.com or the official BAH calculator at housing.defense.gov using your school's zip code for the most accurate MHA estimate.
Other GI Bill programs
This calculator covers the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), the most commonly used program. Other GI Bill programs include Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (Chapter 30), Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606), and the Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA, Chapter 35). Contact the VA at 1-888-442-4551 to find which program you're eligible for.