Payments, MHA & debts
Why is a student's MHA amount wrong?
Usually it is not wrong: online-only enrollment, partial months, rate of pursuit, benefit percentage, or an amendment explains most gaps.
When a student says their housing allowance is wrong, it is usually correct once you account for how it is calculated. MHA is based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents at the campus ZIP code, prorated by rate of pursuit and the student's benefit percentage, and paid only for days enrolled.
What I check, in order
- Modality: a fully online schedule pays a flat rate equal to half the national average, while even one resident course moves the student to the campus ZIP rate.
- Partial months: a term that starts mid-month pays only the enrolled days for that month.
- Rate of pursuit: three-quarter time pays less than full-time, and half-time pays nothing.
- Benefit percentage: a student at the 70% tier receives 70% of the calculated amount.
- Amendments: a drop or add may have changed the numbers mid-term.
- What we certified: confirm credits and training time in Enrollment Manager match the student's schedule.
I avoid quoting a specific dollar figure from memory, because rates update. I send students to the GI Bill Comparison Tool for the current rate at our campus and walk through the inputs with them.