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The Post-9/11 GI Bill, also known as Chapter 33, offers significant financial assistance for veterans and service pursuing education or training.
One of the most helpful aspects of this benefit is the potential for a monthly housing allowance (MHA), which can alleviate housing costs while you attend school.
What is the Chapter 33 monthly housing allowance?
The monthly housing allowance is a payment provided to students using Chapter 33 benefits, but only if you're enrolled in school more than half-time.
The amount is based on the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents and is adjusted depending on the cost of living where your school is located.
This makes it easier to manage housing expenses in areas where rent or housing costs may be high.
The campus location plays a role as well, with different rates applied depending on whether you're attending classes at the main campus, branch campus, or extension campus.
Keep in mind that if you're taking only online classes, you'll receive 50% of the national average housing allowance, regardless of where you live.
Several factors influence how much MHA you receive.
These include:
- Your Eligibility Tier: The percentage of benefits you qualify for is tied to your length of service. The longer you served, the higher your percentage of housing benefits.
- Rate of Pursuit: This is the ratio of how many credits or hours you're enrolled in versus the full-time schedule at your school. If you're enrolled at 80% of the full-time rate, you'll receive 80% of the MHA.
- In-Person vs. Online Classes: If all your courses are online, your housing allowance will be lower compared to attending in-person classes.
- Prorated Payments: If your school term starts or ends mid-month, you'll only receive a partial housing allowance for that month.
It's crucial to note that MHA payments are not issued during school breaks, including between semesters or .
Therefore, you'll need to budget accordingly to cover your housing costs during these periods.
For veterans facing homelessness or those at risk of becoming homeless, additional resources may be available.
The VA encourages veterans to reach out to the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans for and guidance.