The GI Bill is one of the most popular and beneficial programs for military veterans pursuing higher education. One of the most helpful parts of the GI Bill is the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). This payment helps student veterans cover housing costs while going to school. But when exactly does the GI Bill pay out this vital housing stipend? This article will explain when GI Bill recipients can expect to receive BAH payments.
What is BAH?
BAH stands for Basic Allowance for Housing. It is a monthly payment made to GI Bill users to help cover housing expenses. BAH rates are determined based on the ZIP code of where you attend school. Rates vary widely across the country based on local housing costs.
BAH payments go directly to the student veteran. This differs from tuition and fee payments which go straight to the school. BAH is meant to help veterans pay for rent, mortgages, utilities and other housing costs.
BAH Payment Frequency
GI Bill BAH payments are made once per month. Payments are disbursed for the previous month of enrollment.
For example, if you start classes on January 5th, your first BAH payment would cover January This payment would go out in early February Your February BAH payment would then go out in early March, and so on.
BAH payments are always disbursed after the month of enrollment, never in advance. The VA determines eligibility for BAH based on how many days you were enrolled during the previous month.
BAH Payment Dates
The VA does not issue BAH on the same date each month. However, payments typically go out during the first week of the month
For example your January BAH would likely be paid somewhere between the 1st and 5th of February. Your February BAH would then probably hit your account between March 1st-5th.
While BAH payments come during the first week of the month, the specific date varies. Certain months you may get paid on the 2nd, while other months it may be the 4th or 5th.
The VA posts an official BAH payment schedule online. You can check this to see the exact date your upcoming payments should disburse.
How to Get BAH Sooner
Since BAH is paid after the month of enrollment, there can be a gap between starting school and getting your first payment. For some veterans, this delay could make it difficult to pay rent or other housing bills.
Fortunately, there are a couple options to get BAH sooner:
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Apply for an advance payment: Veterans using certain GI Bill programs can request an advance of their first BAH payment. This request must be submitted at least 30 days before the term starts. If approved, you can pick up the advance check directly from your school. This will include the first partial and full month of BAH.
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Use financial aid: Federal student loans and grants can help cover costs until BAH payments start rolling in. Money from financial aid is sent directly to the school and can be used for tuition and living expenses.
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Find temporary assistance: Organizations like the Salvation Army and USA Cares offer temporary financial help for veterans in need. Local veteran service groups may also have emergency relief funds to help cover bills.
BAH Payment Methods
You can choose to receive your monthly BAH via direct deposit or paper check:
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Direct deposit: This is the quickest way to get BAH payments. Money is deposited directly into your bank account, typically 7-10 days after verifying enrollment.
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Paper check: If you request check payments, your BAH will arrive in the mail about 14 days after verifying enrollment. This method has a higher risk of delayed or lost payments.
I highly recommend setting up direct deposit for your BAH. It ensures you get payments as quickly as possible into a safe location. You can sign up for direct deposit on the GI Bill website.
Track BAH Payments
Since BAH disbursements vary month-to-month, it helps to track your payments. You can see when upcoming BAH deposits are scheduled using the VA’s GI Bill Comparison Tool. This shows your last five payments and next three scheduled payments.
The tool also lets you view payment history for the last 12 months. Check for any missed or lower payments. Report any issues to the VA right away.
You can also call the GI Bill Hotline at 888-442-4551 to ask questions about BAH payments. The VA can look into any discrepancies.
Staying on top of your BAH schedule ensures you get paid accurately and on time.
Changes That Affect BAH
Certain changes in your enrollment can impact BAH eligibility and payment amounts:
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Dropped classes: If you drop below full-time, BAH will decrease or stop until you enroll full-time again.
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Rate changes: If your school ZIP code changes, your BAH rate will adjust up or down starting the next month.
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Deployment: Active duty deployments of over 30 days will pause BAH payments until you return to school.
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Graduation: BAH stops the month after you graduate or complete your program.
Report any of these changes to the VA right away to avoid overpayments or underpayments. Work with your school’s certifying official to ensure enrollment is certified correctly.
Manage BAH Wisely
BAH can cover a huge chunk of housing costs for student veterans. Make sure to budget this money responsibly each month. Avoid the temptation to overspend just because BAH comes in reliably.
Pay your most essential bills first like rent, utilities, and food. Use any remaining funds for less critical costs like entertainment or transportation. Build up a savings over time so you have a financial cushion.
Creating a budget for your BAH helps control spending. And learning to live below your BAH payment amount prepares you for when the payments stop after graduation.
The Takeaway
BAH provides vital housing assistance so veterans can focus on education. Make sure you understand when and how much BAH you’ll receive. Tracking payments, creating a budget, and planning ahead will help you maximize this important benefit. Use BAH wisely, and it will give you the stable foundation needed to succeed in school.
GI Bill Housing Allowance Explained (BAH)
FAQ
How long does it take for GI Bill Bah to kick in?
What day of the month does GI Bill pay?
How is Bah paid for GI Bill?
Why haven’t I received my BAH for GI Bill?
When will I get my GI bill payment?
The payment will include the first partial month and the first full month of your enrollment. Example: If your enrollment starts on August 25, the advance payment will cover August 25 through September 30. Since GI Bill benefits are paid at the end of the month, you’ll get your next payment for October 1 to 31 in early November.
Can I get a GI Bill advance payment?
This depends on which GI Bill program you’re using. If you’re using the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you can’t get an advance payment. If you’re using a GI Bill program other than the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you may be able to get an advance payment. You’ll need to meet all of the requirements listed below. You must:
When is GI Bill housing allowance paid?
GI Bill housing allowance is paid after the fact. So if you start school on September 1 – the earliest you could be paid under the best of circumstances is October 1. We often hear my housing allowance is late, how am I supposed to pay my rent, food, etc. – We do issue partial housing allowance.
How much does the GI Bill pay a month?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill also pays a monthly housing allowance based on the ZIP code of the location of the school or campus where you attend the majority of your classes. This stipend averages $1,934.80 a month but can exceed $2,700 depending on where you go to school.
Are GI bill payments a mystery?
GI Bill payments, particularly monthly housing payments, can sometimes be a mystery. You may hear about people receiving a smaller than expected monthly housing payment or not getting one at all when they think they should. Please allow me to explain how they work. Please get this out to all of our Veteran students and schools.
What is GI Bill monthly housing allowance (MHA)?
Your Post-9/11 GI Bill monthly housing allowance (MHA) is generally the same as the military’s Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents living in your school’s ZIP code. Unlike the BAH, which changes Jan. 1 of every year, the GI Bill MHA rate changes Aug. 1 (the start of the academic year). There are some exceptions to MHA.
