The Post-9/11 GI Bill BAH rate (aka the Monthly Housing Allowance) is $917 per month for full-time students enrolled in an online college, school, or distance-learning program until July 31, 2022.
Even though BAH rates are effective as of Jan. 1, 2021, the effective date for Post-9/11 GI Bill MHA adjustments is the beginning of the academic year, Aug. 1.
In 2020, Congress enacted a series of laws authorizing the Department of Veterans Affairs to continue to pay education benefits (including MHA) at the resident, in-person student rate through Dec. 21, 2021 to students whose coursework moved online due to COVID-19.
Online College Payment Rates for 2019 Academic Year (Aug. 1, 2021–July 31, 2022)
Exclusively online training (no classroom instruction) – $917 per month.
Click here for all BAH Rates for students.
How Will the New Forever GI Bill Affect BAH and Online Student Veterans?
Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA, or BAH) amounts are now based on where a veteran student attends the majority of their classes. Prior to the Forever GI Bill, payment was based on the school’s location. This is a big change for online students receiving lower BAH payments because their school was in an area with a lower BAH than their home.
This change was effective Aug. 1, 2018, and only applies to new GI Bill enrollees.
How Is BAH Calculated for Online Education or Distance Learning Students?
The basic allowance for housing for online student veterans is half the national average BAH for an E-5 with dependents.
What If You’re Attending Part-Time?
The amount is less if you’re not enrolled full time. Students must be enrolled at least 51% of full time to be eligible for any MHA benefits.
How does the VA calculate part-time BAH rates?
The VA calculates course loads over 50%, but not 100%, to the nearest 10%. For instance, if your training time (e.g., number of credits) equals 68% as calculated above, you will receive 70% of the applicable housing allowance. If your training time is calculated to be 56%, you will receive 60% of the applicable housing allowance.
What Is the BAH Rate if You’re Taking Online and On-Campus classes?
A full-time student taking at least one classroom course will get the full BAH rate based on the school’s ZIP code.
Do Online Students Get BAH?
Yes, the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Improvements Act (GI Bill 2.0) made this change effective Oct. 1, 2011. Many sites have not updated this information and still inaccurately reflect that online students are not eligible.
How Is MHA Calculated for a Hybrid Course That Combines Online and Classroom Training?
If any portion of a class requires students to physically attend class, then it receives the same housing allowance as an on-campus course.
Click here for more information on BAH Rates.
