When signing up for the GI Bill, one of the first things you should know has to do with GI Bill payment dates. When do you get your housing stipend (monthly housing allowance or basic allowance for housing), when does the payment for books arrive and when does the school get their money?
The VA official site reminds students there are many variables that affect when you will receive your GI Bill payments. First-time users should expect delays as it takes about a full month to receive and process new applications for benefits and in cases where the VA must verify the applicant’s military service there may be delays not applicable to other applications.
If you haven’t heard anything about a new application for GI Bill benefits 30 days after applying, contact the VA directly at 888-GIBILL-1 (888-442-4551) to talk to a claims specialist.
If you are re-enrolling, the VA takes around a week to process your documents. Note: The VA is requiring anyone who receives multiple benefits to make sure all benefits go to a single account. It doesn’t have to be a new account to just to get VA benefits, but they must all go to the same account. The deadline to complete this if you currently don’t have it set up that way is April 20, 2024.
Your Post 9/11 and Forever GI Bill payments are made at the start of the new month and cover the time period you were in school for the month which just ended. Some students experience a delay in their initial payment; once the payment has been established it generally runs on a consistent basis for the duration of the school year.
Generally once an application is approved – either for first time benefits, re-enrollment, or enrollment verification – a check can be expected within 2 weeks via mail and within a week if enrolled in direct deposit.
The GI Bill provides crucial financial assistance to veterans pursuing higher education. However, navigating the payment schedules can be confusing, especially for new recipients. This article explains when to expect your GI Bill payments in 2016.
GI Bill Basics
The GI Bill refers to various Department of Veterans Affairs education programs that provide financial aid to eligible veterans and their families The main options include
- Post-9/11 GI Bill – For those who served after September 10, 2001
- Montgomery GI Bill – For those who enlisted before the post-9/11 version started
- Dependents’ Educational Assistance – For eligible dependents of disabled or deceased veterans
GI Bill programs cover different types of costs:
- Tuition and fees paid directly to the school
- Monthly housing allowance
- Annual books and supplies stipend
- One-time rural benefit payment
Payment Schedules
The timing of your GI Bill benefits depends on several factors:
- Type of payment (tuition, housing, etc)
- GI Bill program you’re using
- When you apply and enroll
- School policies
Below are the typical disbursement schedules for the main payment categories
Tuition and Fees
The VA sends tuition and fee payments directly to your school after you’ve enrolled. New GI Bill users should expect processing delays of 4-6 weeks for first-time applications. After that re-enrollment verification takes 1-2 weeks.
Schools understand GI Bill payments may arrive late. Check your institution’s policies for handling delayed VA funds.
Monthly Housing Allowance
Also called the basic allowance for housing (BAH), the monthly stipend aims to help cover living expenses.
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Post-9/11 GI Bill – Paid at the beginning of each month for the previous month attended. First payment can take 1-2 months.
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Montgomery GI Bill – Paid after monthly verification. Allow 2 weeks for processing.
The BAH adapts to your school’s location, not your physical residence. Rates follow the military housing allowance, reset each August. Expect adjustments in future years, not immediately.
Annual Books and Supplies
Those attending college or graduate programs full-time can receive up to $1,000 for books and supplies each academic year. Payments disburse in $500 installments at the start of each term.
Students below full-time status receive prorated amounts.
One-Time Rural Benefit
Some veterans relocating from rural areas qualify for a one-time $500 rural benefit payment. Like other stipends, expect this with your regular GI Bill deposits at the term start.
Montgomery GI Bill
Those using the Montgomery GI Bill must verify enrollment monthly to trigger payments. Benefits generally process within 2 weeks of verification. Weekends and holidays can cause delays.
Payment Dates in 2016
Now that we’ve covered the various GI Bill payment types, here is a breakdown of specific 2016 dates to anticipate benefits:
January 4 – Montgomery GI Bill housing allowance for December 2015 attendance, if monthly verification was completed in mid-December
February 1 – Post-9/11 GI Bill housing payment for January 2016 semester
February 1 – $500 books and supplies stipend for spring 2016 (if full-time)
February 1 – One-time $500 rural benefit payment for spring 2016 term (if eligible)
March 1 – Post-9/11 GI Bill housing payment for February 2016
April 1 – Post-9/11 GI Bill housing payment for March 2016
Early April – Tuition/fees for summer 2016 term due to 4-6 week processing time
May 2 – Montgomery GI Bill housing allowance for April 2016 attendance, if monthly verification was completed in mid-April
June 1 – Post-9/11 GI Bill housing payment for May 2016
July 1 – Post-9/11 GI Bill housing allowance for June 2016
August 1 – Post-9/11 GI Bill housing payment for July 2016
August – BAH rates reset, which may adjust monthly payments
September 1 – Post-9/11 GI Bill housing allowance for August 2016
Early September – Tuition/fees payment for fall 2016 semester
October 3 – Montgomery GI Bill housing payment for September 2016 attendance, if verification completed mid-September
November 1 – Post-9/11 GI Bill housing allowance for October 2016
December 1 – Post-9/11 GI Bill housing payment for November 2016
Early December – $500 books and supplies stipend for winter 2017 (if full-time)
January 3, 2017 – Montgomery GI Bill housing payment for December 2016 attendance, if verification completed mid-December
As you can see, Post-9/11 housing allowances generally arrive at the start of each month. The Montgomery GI Bill operates on its own monthly schedule after verification. Tuition payments depend on meeting school deadlines.
What to Do if Payments Are Late
Despite typical timelines, your GI Bill benefits may sometimes run late. Here are some steps to take if your payments do not arrive as expected:
- For new applications, follow up with the VA after 30 days
- Ensure you have reported any enrollment changes to the VA
- Double check your direct deposit information is accurate
- Contact your school’s VA certifying official for assistance
- Call 1-888-GIBILL-1 to speak with an Education Call Center agent
Reaching out to the VA and your school will help determine if any issues are causing payment delays on their end.
Use GI Bill Benefits Responsibly
While GI Bill programs provide invaluable financial aid, they come with important responsibilities as well. Be sure to:
- Accurately report all enrollment details to the VA
- Complete required Monthly Enrollment Verification if using Montgomery GI Bill
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress for continued eligibility
- Pay special attention to school deadlines and policies
- Contact the VA with any questions or changes to your status
Staying organized and informed will help ensure you receive your entitled benefits on time in 2016 and beyond.
Montgomery GI Bill Payment Schedule
The student is paid directly for the following:
- MHA/BAH
- Annual books and supplies payments
- VA rural benefit where applicable
The school is paid directly for the following:
- Tuition costs every semester/term/training period
MGIB users generally have their payments within two weeks of performing their monthly enrollment verification. There is no fixed payment date and weekends and federal holidays may affect the payment schedule.
Those using the Montgomery GI Bill are required to certify attendance on a monthly basis, so it’s important to know that your responsibilities don’t end once your first GI Bill benefits have been paid. This is true for both the active duty and reserve versions.
The information in this article pertains only to VA benefits issued by the federal-level Department of Veterans Affairs. Some state-level agencies have names similar to the VA such as Division of Veterans Affairs or Illinois State Department of Veterans Affairs.
These agencies have veteran education programs that vary depending on the state and payment times vary equally in such cases. You will need to contact the state-level agency issuing the veteran education benefits you seek to learn what payment times and related issues may apply.
GI Bill MHA or BAH Payment Schedule
Use this guide to determine your projected payment date:
- From the date your transaction was processed (labeled as “Transaction Date” on your WAVE account), go to the next business day immediately after that.
- Then, count 3 to 5 days for the range of your projected payment date.
The VA regularly updates the WAVE Certification Projected Payment dates.
Students attending college or university on the GI Bill may qualify for a yearly GI Bill stipend for books and supplies (up to $1,000.00) which is offered based on your enrollment. Full-time students get $500 a semester maximum, paid at the beginning of the academic year. Those who are not full-time attendees will receive a smaller stipend.
It is important to remember that you need to be at over half-time status in order to receive any GI Bill Housing Payment benefit. If you are above half-time credit hours but below full-time you would receive a prorated amount.
Those who attend above half-time hours but are not full-time attendees will have a prorated GI Bill housing stipend paid to them rather than the full time amount.
Some may notice a smaller GI Bill housing stipend paid when the term begins in August or December, most often caused by the shortened academic schedule for that first month back to class. This is typical.
Some students may qualify for a one-time payment of $500 from the VA, offered to those who are relocating from rural areas such as counties with six people or less per square mile as determined by the latest census. Those who qualify soon learn that like other GI Bill benefits, you should not expect a specific payment date but like most other benefits in this area will be disbursed at the start of the term unless your school or the VA notifies you otherwise.
New GI Bill® Payment Rates!
FAQ
What day of the month does GI Bill pay?
You will be paid at the end of each month. If school starts September 6, that means your first payment should arrive on or around October 1. However, first-time users may see a delay in the arrival of this first payment.
Is the VA paying $3000 this month?
Government confirms $3,000 payments for veterans in May. Because of the most recent cost-of-living adjustment, payments to veterans have increased by 3. 2%. On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, the next payment will be made, and many veterans will get at least $3,000.
Why haven’t I received my chapter 35 benefits?
If you didn’t get paid, it’s likely because you signed up late and your certification wasn’t processed in time for the end of the month. The VA won’t hold your payments until the end of the next month. Instead, they’ll send you your August payment as soon as they can.
Is GI Bill Bah paid twice a month?
You would get some of that $1,000 if you are not enrolled full-time. It is for books and supplies. The money will be sent to you at the start of the school year. This is different from GI Bill Housing Payments, which are sent to you every month.
When will I get my GI bill payment?
The payment will include the first partial month and the first full month of your enrollment. Example: If your enrollment starts on August 25, the advance payment will cover August 25 through September 30. You’ll get your next GI Bill payment for October 1–31 in early November because it’s paid at the end of the month.
Does the Montgomery GI Bill have a fixed payment date?
There is no fixed payment date and weekends and federal holidays may affect the payment schedule. People who are using the Montgomery GI Bill have to certify their attendance every month. It’s important to know that your duties don’t end when you get your first GI Bill payment.
Can I get a GI Bill advance payment?
This depends on which GI Bill program you’re using. If you’re using the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you can’t get an advance payment. If your GI Bill isn’t the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you might be able to get a payment ahead of time. You’ll need to meet all of the requirements listed below. You must:
How much GI Bill stipend do Va students get?
The VA regularly updates the WAVE Certification Projected Payment dates. GI Bill recipients who are going to college or university may be able to get up to $1,000 a year to help pay for books and other school supplies. 00) which is offered based on your enrollment. Full-time students get $500 a semester maximum, paid at the beginning of the academic year.
When is GI Bill housing allowance paid?
GI Bill housing allowance is paid after the fact. So if you start school on Sept. 1 – the earliest you could be paid under the best of circumstances is Oct. 1. It’s most likely that a student’s BAH payment will be less than expected because it will be divided up based on how many days in the month they are enrolled.
How long does it take to get a replacement GI Bill?
If you get paid by check and it’s been at least three weeks since we sent the check, you can ask for a new one. It could take up to 6 weeks to get a replacement. Why is my monthly GI Bill payment less than my monthly rate?.
