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?.
There are a lot of things that can change when you get your GI Bill payments, as the VA website reminds students. 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 applied for GI Bill benefits 30 days ago and haven’t heard anything about it, call the VA 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. If you don’t already have it set up that way, you have until April 20, 2024, to do this.
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.
Veterans who want to go to college can get a lot of help from the GI Bill. But a common question is when does the GI Bill actually pay out? Knowing when it does can help you plan your finances while you’re in school.
GI Bill Payments are Monthly
The GI Bill pays beneficiaries on a monthly basis, after each month of enrollment has been completed. So if you start classes on September 6th, your first payment would arrive around October 1st, covering the month of September.
The exact timing varies between the 1st and 10th of each month If you’ve signed up for direct deposit, expect the funds in your bank account within 7-10 business days of verifying your enrollment. With paper checks, it takes approximately 14 days after verification
One aspect that confuses many new GI Bill users is that you don’t receive the first payment until after finishing your first month of classes The VA pays beneficiaries at the end of each month, not the beginning
So from the first day of class until the end of the month, you either have to pay for it yourself or get financial aid. Please keep in mind that the GI Bill works by paying you back. You have to finish the month first before you get the money.
Why the Delay for First-Time Users?
A lot of people who are new to the GI Bill say they had to wait more than a month for their first payment. Delays of 6-8 weeks are not uncommon.
This happens because the VA needs to confirm your eligibility and set up payment processes for new users. Even if you’ve submitted your paperwork months in advance, there can still be a longer wait for that first check. Just plan accordingly.
Setting up direct deposit when you first apply is one way to cut down on wait times. Paper checks take longer to process and mail out. With direct deposit, you don’t have to do as many things to get the money.
GI Bill Housing Allowances
One portion of the Post-9/11 GI Bill is the monthly housing allowance. This money helps cover your living expenses while enrolled in school.
Much like the overall payment, housing allowances are paid at the end of each month after completing classes. These are prorated if your start/end dates fall mid-month.
For example – if you start classes on August 19th, your August housing allowance would only cover August 19-31st. It’s not the full amount for the whole month.
Housing allowances differ by location – the rate is determined by the zip code of your school. Rates in high-cost urban areas will be higher than rural regions.
You can estimate your rate using the GI Bill Comparison Tool. Just enter your school and program details to view the potential housing allowance.
No Allowances During Breaks
One downside is that GI Bill housing allowances stop during school breaks. This includes spring break, winter break, and any days between terms.
In 2011, Congress prohibited the VA from paying housing allowances during breaks lasting longer than 5 days. Make alternate arrangements to pay rent and bills during these periods.
Fortunately, the Post-9/11 GI Bill does cover breaks of 5 days or less. You’ll receive continuous housing payments through short holidays and long weekends.
Just keep in mind, longer academic breaks mean no housing allowance that month. The payment stops whenever classes stop.
Can You Get an Advance Payment?
Sometimes students need additional money before starting classes – textbooks, tuition, supplies all add up. Can you get any of your GI Bill benefits in advance?
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For the Post-9/11 GI Bill – No, advance payments are not allowed. You need to cover costs out-of-pocket until that first monthly benefit arrives.
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For other GI Bill programs – You may qualify for an advance payment if:
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Your school agrees to receive it
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You attend at least half-time
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There is a break of at least 30 days before classes start
To request an advance, fill out forms through your university’s financial aid or veteran’s affairs office. If approved, the VA will send your first payment to the school, which you then pick up directly.
This advance payment covers the first partial and full month of enrollment. For example – classes starting August 25th would get paid for August 25-September 30.
Keep in mind you may owe money back if you drop classes after receiving an advance payment. Use this option only when absolutely needed.
How Monthly Rates Are Calculated
Wondering how the VA computes your monthly payment amount? Here are some key details:
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It’s based on a 30-day period, even if the month has more or less days
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Attending part-time will lower your payment
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Payments are prorated if you start/end mid-month
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Rate decreases if you drop credits during the term
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Previous overpayments may be withheld from future checks
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Housing allowance decreases if you move to a lower BAH area
Always report any enrollment changes to the VA as soon as possible. This will prevent repayment issues down the road.
What to Do if Your Payment is Late
Despite VA’s best efforts, sometimes GI Bill payments are delayed or missing. Here are tips on handling late payments:
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Call the VA Education Hotline at 888-442-4551 to report a late payment. They can look into the issue and confirm when to expect the funds.
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If it’s been over 3 weeks since your paper check was issued, you can request a replacement. Replacement checks can take 6 weeks to process.
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Contact your school’s financial aid office if you need short-term help with tuition or expenses due to a late VA payment. Many colleges are willing to assist.
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As a last resort, you may need to take out a short-term loan or use a credit card. But avoid this if possible – work with the VA first.
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Set up direct deposit and make sure your address is current. This prevents delays in the future.
Plan Ahead and Be Patient
It takes time for first-time users to start receiving regular GI Bill payments. Have backup funds ready to cover the initial 1-2 months of school before payments begin arriving.
Also be aware of possible delays even after the first check. The VA has improved payment processing, but the occasional issue can still come up. Maintain open communication with your school’s certifying official and the VA Education Hotline.
With some advanced planning and patience, getting your hard-earned GI Bill benefits should go smoothly! Rely on direct deposit whenever possible and report any payment problems right away. Stick with it – the GI Bill is worth the temporary hassle for its huge long-term payoff.
GI Bill MHA or BAH Payment Schedule
Use this guide to determine your projected payment date:
- In your WAVE account, the date your transaction was processed is shown as “Transaction Date.” From that date, go to the next business day right after that.
- Then, make a list of the three to five days that you think your payment will be due.
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.
The GI Bill housing stipend will be prorated for people who attend more than half-time but not full-time. It will not be 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. People who are eligible quickly learn that, like other GI Bill benefits, they shouldn’t expect a specific payment date. Instead, they learn that their money will be sent to them at the beginning of the school year, unless their school or the VA tells them otherwise.
GI Bill Payments to Educational Institutions
As you might expect, the actual date your education benefits are deposited depends on a lot of things, such as the start of your school year or term, any federal holidays, and so on.
It’s entirely possible that your GI Bill benefits will not reach the school in time to meet the normal payment deadlines associated with that academic semester or term. However, it is not uncommon for schools to make accommodations for this, with the understanding that the funds are actually on their way and will arrive at some point.
Be sure to talk with your admissions counselor about the school’s policies for managing VA payments for the school that are late or delayed. In general, you may find a school is used to dealing with such issues but not always. If your school is new to the GI Bill benefits program or is new in general, it’s not safe to assume they have an existing policy or an adequate existing policy to handle such issues. Always ask.
The housing stipend offered to those using the Post-9/11 and Forever GI Bill is normally paid at the beginning of the month. These payments go directly to the student and not to the school.
There is no exact deposit date or time for these payments. Students should know that your housing stipend may be prorated and will only include coverage for the dates you are actually attending classes. You will not be paid a housing stipend for summer break, spring break, holiday breaks, etc.
These housing allowances are based on the zip code where the student attends the majority of their classes–NOT where the student physically resides. The rates are established based on the military’s BAH rates, effective Aug. 1 of each academic year.
If BAH rates change you will experience those adjustments the next academic year in most cases, not immediately. Those who change schools may be given the new BAH, as will those who have been out of school for six months and are re-entering a program or starting a new one.
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.
The most-common reason for a smaller than expected BAH payment is due to the payment being prorated based on the number of days in the month that a student is enrolled. Payments are made in arrears and only for the days actually attended, so if the term starts in the middle of January, the payment received in the beginning of February will be prorated accordingly. The first full payment will be issued in February for the month of January.
How Much Money I Made Using The Post 9/11 GI Bill
FAQ
What day of the month does GI Bill pay?
GI Bill housing payment dates are typically paid the first week of the month after the month you enrolled.
What time does my VA direct deposit hit?
The VA typically deposits VA disability pay on the first business day of the month. The VA pays on the last business day of the previous month if the first business day of the month is a holiday or a day when businesses are closed.
How long does it take for VA to pay GI Bill?
Which GI Bill benefits do I get each month? For Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, we process your payment on the first of every month. It can take up to 5 days to arrive.
What day does the VA send out payments?
Scheduled Dates: VA typically deposits payments on the first business day of each month. If the first day of the month falls on a weekend or a holiday, the payment is made on the last business day before the first. Direct Deposit: Signing up for direct deposit is the most efficient way to receive your payments.
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. Since GI Bill benefits are paid at the end of the month, you’ll get your next payment for October 1 to 31 in early November.
When do GI bill payments go to school?
GI Bill payment rates are based on the academic school year and may be sent from August 1st of one year to July 31st of the next. Most of the time, you’ll get your GI Bill housing payment the first week of the month after the month you enrolled. Housing payments made with the GI Bill go to the student, while GI Bill payments go straight to the school.
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 you’re using a GI Bill program other than the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you may be able to get an advance payment. You’ll need to meet all of the requirements listed below. You must:
When are GI Bill housing payments made?
GI Bill housing payment dates are typically paid the first week of the month after the month you enrolled. GI Bill housing payments go to the student, unlike GI Bill payments, which are sent directly to the school. GI Bill housing payments are not made on the same dates each month. Your payment times may vary depending on a variety of factors.
What are GI Bill benefits?
GI Bill benefits help you pay for school and cover expenses while you’re training for a job. Since 1944, the GI Bill has helped qualifying Veterans and their family members get money to cover all or some of the costs for school or training. Learn more about GI Bill benefits on this page—and how to apply for them.
How much does the GI Bill pay a month?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill also pays a monthly housing allowance based on the ZIP code of the location of the school or campus where you attend the majority of your classes. This stipend averages $1,934.80 a month but can exceed $2,700 depending on where you go to school.
