Here are the 2020 and 2021 Post 9/11 GI Bill® BAH Rates for students. Post 9/11 and Forever GI Bill benefits include a Monthly Housing Allowance (aka GI Bill BAH rate) for eligible veterans and service members.
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| Post-9/11 & GI Forever GI Bill (Chapter 33) Payment Rate Exceptions | |
| August 1, 2020 – July 31, 2021 | |
| Type of School | MHA Rate |
| Foreign School | $1,833.00 |
| Schools in US Territories | E-5 with dependents Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) Rate for school location |
| Exclusively Online Training (No Classroom Instruction) | $916.50 |
| Attending classes at ½ time or less (Less than 7 credits) | NOT PAYABLE |
| Active Duty Trainee (or spouse of servicemember) | NOT PAYABLE |
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Monthly Housing Allowance Calculator
Veterans, dependents, National Guard and reserves can use the MHA Calculator to see estimated monthly payments. Active Duty service members should use the BAH Calculator to see estimated payments.
MHA rates are for August 1, 2020 through July 31, 2021 school year. Rates will next be increased on August 1, 2021.
Books/Supplies Stipend
A yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000.00 paid proportionately based on enrollment.
Rural benefit
A one time payment of $500 may be payable to certain individuals relocating from highly rural areas if they reside in a county with 6 persons or less per square mile (as determined by the most recent decennial census) and either: 1. Physically relocate at least 500 miles to attend an educational institution or 2. Travel by air to physically attend an educational institution if no other land-based transportation exists
GI Bill Comparison Tool for MHA/BAH Rates
See the GI Bill Comparison tool for actual BAH Rates at your school. Do NOT use the BAH Calculator to determine your GI BILL BAH as the rates do differ.
Monthly Housing Allowance Payments
The Monthly Housing Allowance is paid at the nearest 10% level once the training time (e.g number of credits) is determined. For instance, if your training time is determined to be 68% as calculated above you will be paid 70% of the applicable housing allowance. If your training time is calculated to be 56% you will be paid 60% of the applicable housing allowance. Here are some important facts for determining eligibility and individual Post 9/11 GI Bill MHA rates.
Monthly Housing Allowance Facts
- Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) payments are based on the Department of Defense’s Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates for an E-5 with dependents.
- MHA is based on the zip code of the school or college the student is attending and taking the majority of classes.
- August 1st of each year is the effective date for the adjustment of MHA – While BAH rates are adjusted every calendar year and effective on January 1st the post 9/11 GI Bill MHA is effective at the beginning of the academic year which is set at August 1st.
- BAH Decreases – Adjusted MHA rates typically will NOT be adjusted down (decreased). Service members have individual rate protection against any BAH decrease and the MHA amount will not decrease unless there is a change in school or college or have more than a six-month break in training.
- BAH Increases – Even though BAH increases are effective January 1st recipient housing allowance stipend will not see an increase until the September payment for training pursued in August.
- There are some exceptions to MHA.
- MHA rate terms are commonly interchanged with Post 9/11 BAH rates terms, they are one and the same.
- The MHA rate for online colleges, schools, or distance learning programs is $916.50. For more information on how to determine your online MHA rate and eligibility click here.
- Students attending all courses online will receive half the national MHA average.
- Students cannot receive over the maximum allowable BAH amount.
- BAH is paid each month. However, the first payment may not arrive for several months so plan accordingly.
- BAH is not paid during winter or summer breaks. Spring Break counts! For small breaks that fall within the term (i.e. Spring Break, Thanksgiving Break), payment will be given, but for breaks between terms payments will not be given.
- The VA pays MHA for the days you attended class, so if your term starts in the middle of January, the payment you receive in the beginning of February will be pro-rated accordingly.
- Dropping courses can negatively affect MHA (BAH).
- Your rate may also change if you experience a modification in your enrollment, such as:
- A change in your program or school.
- A change in the location where you take the majority of your classes.
- A six-month break in benefits (except for active duty service).
- A change in the number of credit hours you are taking.
BAH VS MHA Differences
BAH is a housing benefit provided by the DoD whereas MHA is a benefit provided by the Department of Veteran Affairs. Both BAH and MHA use the same BAH rate tables but how they are calculated and who is eligible is different.
- BAH rate effective date is January 1
- MHA rate effective date is August 1
- BAH ZIP code is the primary duty station
- MHA ZIP code is where the majority of classes are taken
- BAH is for Active Duty service members
- MHA is for GI Bill students including veterans, spouses and children
- Active Duty service members cannot receive MHA they already receive BAH (and vice versa)
- BAH is calculated by pay grade, location and dependent status.
- MHA starts with the equivalent of an E-5 with dependents pay grade and then applies these factors to pro-rate benefits:
- Campus, online or hybrid classes or foreign school
- Months of service
- Partial or full-time attendance
