Does The GI Bill Pay For Housing? A Complete Guide

The GI Bill is one of the most generous education benefits programs in the United States, providing financial assistance to military veterans pursuing higher education or job training. One of the most commonly asked questions by veterans is – does the GI Bill pay for housing while going to school?

The short answer is yes, certain GI Bill programs do provide a monthly housing allowance to student veterans to help cover their housing costs. However, the eligibility criteria and payment amounts vary depending on the specific GI Bill program.

In this comprehensive guide we will cover everything you need to know about whether the GI Bill pays for housing including

• An overview of different GI Bill programs
• GI Bill housing allowances – eligibility and payment amounts
• How housing allowances are calculated
• Payment procedures and timelines
• Additional benefits that help with housing costs
• Tips for maximizing your GI Bill housing allowance

GI Bill Programs Overview

There are several GI Bill programs, each with their own set of rules and benefits. The main ones are:

• Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) – Chapter 30 Pays a monthly stipend directly to the veteran, but no housing allowance.

• Post-9/11 GI Bill – Chapter 33: Most comprehensive program, pays tuition & fees, housing allowance, books & supplies stipend.

• Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) – Chapter 1606: For reservists, pays a monthly stipend directly to the veteran, but no housing allowance.

• Survivors’ and Dependents’ Assistance (DEA) – Chapter 35 helps disabled or deceased veterans’ dependents pay for school. Includes tuition, fees, and monthly housing allowance.

Post-9/11 GI Bill Housing Allowance

Out of all the GI Bills, the Post-9/11 GI Bill gives the most money for housing. Here are the key eligibility criteria and payment amounts:

Eligibility:

• Must be attending school at greater than half-time enrollment
• Cannot be on active duty or using transferred benefits from a spouse on active duty
• Housing allowance is prorated if pursuing training at half-time or less

Payment amounts:

• Equal to the military Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents
• Based on the zip code for where you attend classes
• Paid monthly directly to the student veteran
• For online students, equal to 50% of the national average BAH

How Post-9/11 Housing Allowances Are Calculated

The Post-9/11 housing allowance is calculated based on several factors:

• Your eligibility percentage (based on length of service)
• Your enrollment status (full-time, half-time etc)
• Whether you take classes online or in-person
• The location zip code for physical classes

Here’s a brief overview of how each factor impacts your payment amount:

• Rate of eligibility: Your payment is based on how long you’ve been working. According to one example, if you are eligible for 80% of benefits, you get 80% of the full BAH rate.

• Enrollment status: Attending full-time results in the full BAH amount. Anything less than full-time is prorated.

• Online vs. in-person: Online classes receive 50% of the national average BAH. People who go to class in person get the full BAH rate for their school’s zip code.

• Class zip code: The allowance for in-person classes is equal to the BAH for an E-5 with dependents in that zip code. Higher BAH areas result in more money.

Payment Procedures and Timelines

If you qualify for the housing allowance under Post-9/11, here is an overview of how payments work:

• Payments are issued at the end of each month for the previous month
• You receive payments directly via direct deposit
• Payments must be recertified each year you use benefits
• Allowances can be prorated for any month school is not in session at least 1 day
• Payments are tax-free just like military BAH payments

Additional Benefits To Assist With Housing

Aside from the monthly housing allowance, there are some other GI Bill benefits that can help veterans cover housing costs:

• The Yellow Ribbon Program – Provides additional funding on top of Post-9/11 benefits to completely cover tuition and fees at participating schools. This helps free up more of your housing allowance for actual housing costs.

• Work-study programs – Receive additional tax-free income through VA work-study jobs at your university. Great way to earn extra money for housing.

• VA Home Loan Guarantee – Purchase a home with no downpayment through a VA home loan. Could potentially lower your monthly housing costs.

So be sure to explore these other options alongside your GI Bill housing allowance to maximize affordability and reduce out-of-pocket expenses.

Tips For Maximizing Your GI Bill Housing Allowance

Here are some key tips for veterans to maximize the housing allowance amount under the Post-9/11 GI Bill:

• Attend school in a high BAH region – Your zip code matters, so attend school in pricier metro areas when possible.

• Take classes on campus – You’ll get a much higher payment than online-only students.

• Maintain full-time enrollment – Full-time status results in the maximum payment amount.

• Pick the right housing – Consider sharing an apartment in areas with really high BAH rates.

• Look into work-study jobs – Earn extra tax-free VA pay that can help with housing.

• Automate payments – Set up direct deposit to get payments as soon as they are released.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides a generous tax-free housing allowance to help student veterans cover their housing expenses while in school. The payment amounts are directly tied to military BAH rates and therefore provide meaningful financial assistance.

Veterans who apply for Post-9/11 benefits and attend classes on campus at greater than half-time status can qualify for substantial monthly housing payments. However, eligibility and payment amounts depend on several factors.

By understanding how the housing allowance works, and leveraging additional programs, veterans can reduce out-of-pocket education costs and more easily attain their academic goals.