How Much Does The GI Bill Pay Per Month? A Comprehensive Guide

The GI Bill is one of the most generous and comprehensive education benefits programs in the country, providing crucial financial support for veterans pursuing higher education or job training. But how much does the GI Bill actually pay per month? The answer depends on which GI Bill program you use and your individual circumstances.

In this detailed guide, we’ll break down exactly how much you can expect to receive from the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the most widely used GI Bill program today.

Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits

The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides substantial assistance to help cover the costs of education and living expenses. Here are the main benefits:

• Tuition and Fees: The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays up to the full cost of in-state tuition and fees at public colleges and universities or up to $26,042.81 per year at private and foreign schools in 2022-2023. The benefits are paid directly to the school.

• Housing Allowance: The Post-9/11 GI Bill also provides a monthly housing stipend to help cover living expenses. This allowance is paid directly to the student.

• Book Stipend: Students can receive up to $1,000 per year for books and supplies. This stipend is paid directly to the student.

• Rural Benefit: Veterans who must relocate from highly rural areas to attend school can receive a one-time $500 rural benefit payment.

• Yellow Ribbon Program: If tuition and fees exceed the Post-9/11 GI Bill’s annual cap, additional funds may be available through the Yellow Ribbon Program. This is offered at the discretion of participating schools.

So how much does the Post-9/11 GI Bill pay per month? The answer depends largely on two factors:

1. Your length of service
2. Your school’s location

Let’s take a closer look.

Length of Service Determines Your Benefit Percentage

Your length of service on active duty after 9/11 determines the percentage of the maximum Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits you can receive:

• At least 36 months of active duty service = 100% of maximum benefits

• At least 30 continuous days and discharged for service-connected disability = 100% of maximum benefits

• 30-35 months of service = 90% of maximum benefits

• 24-29 months of service = 80% of maximum benefits

• 18-23 months of service = 70% of maximum benefits

• 6-17 months of service = 60% of maximum benefits

• 90 days to 6 months of service = 50% of maximum benefits

This length of service percentage directly impacts how much you receive in tuition payments, housing allowance, and book stipends.

For example, if you served for 2 years (24 months) you would be eligible for 80% of the full benefit amount. Keep your length of service percentage in mind as we discuss the housing allowance and book stipend amounts.

Housing Allowance Varies By Location

The housing allowance you receive through the Post-9/11 GI Bill depends on where you attend school.

The Department of Defense sets Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates annually based on the average rent costs in each county and ZIP code across the country. The Post-9/11 GI Bill housing allowance equals the BAH rate for an E-5 with dependents in your school’s ZIP code.

For example, if you attend school in Los Angeles, you’ll receive a much higher housing stipend than if you attend a college in a small rural town. BAH rates in Los Angeles average around $2,800 per month, while rates in rural areas may be around $1,000 per month.

In addition, your housing allowance payment is prorated based on your length of service percentage. If you served for 24 months (80% benefit level), your Los Angeles BAH payment would be prorated to about $2,240 per month.

Your housing allowance is also prorated based on your enrollment level. If you attend school half-time, your payment would be reduced 50%.

Online students receive a lower nationwide BAH average of around $889 per month.

• Your school’s location
• Your length of service percentage
• Your enrollment level

This payment is sent directly to the student on a monthly basis while enrolled in school.

Book Stipend Capped at $1,000 Per Year

The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides an annual $1,000 stipend to help pay for books and supplies. This stipend is prorated based on your length of service percentage and enrollment level.

For example, if you served for 30 months (90% benefit level) and attend school full-time, you would receive $900 for books in your first year of school (90% of $1,000).

This book stipend is issued just once per academic year, not monthly. So you cannot count it toward your monthly GI Bill payments.

The stipend is capped at $1,000 per year, even if your actual book costs exceed this amount.

Total Post-9/11 GI Bill Payments

Adding up the housing allowance, tuition payments, and book stipend, here are some examples of typical monthly and yearly GI Bill amounts:

• Veteran attending full-time at public college in Los Angeles with 100% benefit level:

  • Monthly: ~$2,800 housing allowance + full tuition paid

  • Annual: $33,600 housing allowance + full tuition paid + $1,000 book stipend

• Veteran attending part-time at private college in Small Town, USA with 80% benefit level:

  • Monthly: ~$800 housing allowance + $1,600 tuition payment

  • Annual: $9,600 housing allowance + $19,200 tuition paid + $800 book stipend

• Veteran taking online classes with 60% benefit level:

  • Monthly: ~$535 housing allowance + tuition paid

  • Annual: $6,420 housing allowance + tuition paid + $600 book stipend

These examples demonstrate how your GI Bill payments can vary widely depending on your personal situation. The key is understanding your benefit percentage based on length of service and how your school’s location impacts your BAH rate.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill ultimately provides veterans with substantial financial assistance for education, often completely covering tuition costs plus providing thousands in monthly living stipends. With strategic planning, you can maximize your benefits and make the most of this life-changing program.