Post-9/11 GI Bill: How to Pay for Housing

The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides education benefits to veterans and their dependents, and one of the benefits included in this program is the monthly housing allowance. This allowance is designed to help students pay for housing expenses while pursuing their education. In this article, we will guide you on how to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill to pay for housing, including the eligibility criteria, payment rates, and how to apply.

Eligibility for Monthly Housing Allowance

To be eligible for the monthly housing allowance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must be enrolled in an approved program at a college or university that is eligible for the GI Bill.
• You must be taking at least one course in person. Online-only courses do not qualify for the monthly housing allowance.
• You must be pursuing a degree or certificate program.
• You must be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill at the 100% rate. If you are eligible at a lower rate, you will receive a prorated monthly housing allowance.

Payment Rates for Monthly Housing Allowance

The monthly housing allowance is based on the ZIP code of the location of the school or campus where you attend the majority of your classes. The current monthly housing allowance rates can be found on the VA’s website. The rates are based on the military Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates for an E-5 with dependents.

For the 2023-2024 academic year, the monthly housing allowance rates are as follows:

• $1,934.80 for zip codes in the continental United States
• $2,329.80 for zip codes in Alaska
• $2,702.80 for zip codes in Hawaii

How to Apply for Monthly Housing Allowance

To apply for the monthly housing allowance, you will need to submit an application through the VA. You can do this online through the VA’s website or by mail. You will need to provide the following documents:

• Your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
• Your DD Form 214, if you have not already submitted it to the VA
• Your school’s certification of enrollment

Once your application is approved, you will receive the monthly housing allowance directly from the VA. The payment will be made at the end of each month, and it will be prorated based on the number of days in the month that you are enrolled in classes.

Conclusion

The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides a monthly housing allowance to help veterans and their dependents pay for housing expenses while pursuing their education. To be eligible, you must be enrolled in an approved program, taking at least one course in person, and be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill at the 100% rate. The payment rates are based on the ZIP code of the location of the school or campus where you attend the majority of your classes. To apply, you will need to submit an application through the VA, providing your Certificate of Eligibility, DD Form 214, and school’s certification of enrollment.