Payments and housing allowance
How is my housing allowance calculated?
The four factors behind the Post-9/11 housing allowance, with examples of how course load, campus location, and online classes change it.
The Post-9/11 monthly housing allowance (MHA) is based on the military housing allowance (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents at the ZIP code of the campus where you take most of your classes. It is then adjusted for your course load and your benefit percentage. Once students see these four pieces, the number on their deposit stops being a mystery.
The four pieces
- Pay grade: always E-5 with dependents, no matter what your actual rank was.
- Location: the ZIP code of your campus, not where you live.
- Rate of pursuit: your credits divided by what your school counts as full-time. You must be above half-time to get any MHA.
- Class format: classes taken entirely online are paid at a separate, lower national rate.
How course load changes the amount
At a school where 12 credits is full-time, 12 credits pays the full rate, 9 credits pays 75%, and 6 credits (exactly half-time) pays nothing. Taking more than full-time does not add a bonus.
Your benefit percentage applies on top. A student at the 70% tier receives 70% of the calculated amount.
Active-duty service members using Chapter 33 do not receive MHA. The rates update every year, so look up your campus in the GI Bill Comparison Tool for the current figure instead of relying on a classmate's number.