Changes to Monthly Housing Allowance

On December 1, updates went live in VA’s education processing systems, and all Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) rates since then have been processed in accordance with new MHA rules. Starting in December, you may see your MHA rate change.

To keep you informed, we’ve outlined key information below.

Your MHA may change based on where you physically attend the majority of your classes.
Previously, GI Bill students were paid MHA based on the location of the main or branch campus of the school where enrolled. If you attended classes at more than one location, you were paid the most advantageous rate. Now, MHA is based on the campus location where you physically attend the majority of your classes.

Your MHA rate may change based on the date you first used your Chapter 33 entitlement.
Based on the date you first used your Chapter 33 entitlement, your MHA rate will fall into one of three categories.

• If your first time using the Post 9/11 GI Bill was before January 1, 2018, you will continue to receive the VA MHA rate. 
• If your first time using the Post 9/11 GI Bill was between January 1, 2018, and July 31, 2018, you will receive the VA MHA rate for Academic Year 2017-2018 until the DoD BAH rate for an E-5 with dependents rate exceeds this rate.
• If you started using your Post-9/11 GI Bill on or after August 1, 2018, your MHA rate could go down by as much as $89/month on December 1 to align with DoD rates.

After you begin receiving the correct MHA, your base rate may be impacted by enrollment changes such as annual rate adjustments, change in credit hours, or changing programs or locations. 

Estimate your MHA
The best way to determine your MHA rate is to check the GI Bill Comparison Tool at va.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool. This tool provides MHA rates for main, branch, and extension campuses. Follow the steps below to receive an estimate of your MHA.

• Search and select your school’s main campus from the list.
• Scroll down to “Where will you take the majority of your classes?”
• Select “Other Location” or “An Extension Campus.”
• Enter the zip code of the other location or select the location from the drop-down.

Please note: If you were overpaid or underpaid because of these changes, you will not have to appeal or apply for a corrected payment. VA will work with your school to determine any underpayment or overpayment, and issue payments. All students will receive a letter informing them of whether they were overpaid, underpaid, or not impacted.

Contact your School Certifying Official (SCO) or click here for a helpful infographic for more information.
If you have questions, call the VBA Education Hotline at 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551). For students outside the U.S., call 001-918-781-5678.