GI Bill Calculator & Comparison Tool 2026

Three components, all paid monthly while enrolled: (1) Tuition and fees — full cost for in-state public schools (up to in-state max for out-of-state under Section 702), or up to $29,920.95/yr at private/foreign schools; (2) Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) — based on the E-5 with-dependents BAH at the school's ZIP code, prorated by enrollment intensity; (3) Book stipend — up to $1,000/yr ($41.67 per credit hour).

MHA for AY 2026-2027 equals the 2026 BAH at the E-5 with-dependents rate at the school's ZIP. Examples: Stanford (94305) = $5,193/mo; Columbia (10027) = $4,491/mo; Georgetown (20057) = $3,309/mo; ASU Tempe (85281) = $2,025/mo; UF Gainesville (32611) = $1,503/mo. Distance-learning students receive a national half-rate of $1,168.50/mo. Source: 38 USC 3313(c).

GI Bill BAH (officially "Monthly Housing Allowance" or MHA) ignores your real grade and dependent status — every student gets the E-5 with-dependents BAH rate at the school's ZIP, regardless of whether they're actually married or have kids. It's prorated by your Post-9/11 percentage tier (40% to 100%) and by enrollment intensity (called the rate-of-pursuit). Full-time = 100%; half-time = 50%; anything less than half-time = $0 MHA.

For private and foreign schools: $29,920.95/year (AY 2026-2027). For public schools: 100% of the in-state tuition and fees, regardless of your residency (Section 702 of the VA Choice Act guarantees in-state tuition for veterans for 3 years post-discharge at all GI Bill-participating public schools). Out-of-state extra costs at public schools must be covered by Yellow Ribbon, the student, or another source.

Participating schools agree to waive a portion of out-of-pocket costs above the GI Bill cap. The VA then matches the school's contribution dollar-for-dollar. Eligibility requires 100% Post-9/11 benefit level (or a transferred 100% benefit). You apply directly through the school's veterans services office. Coverage caps and program-by-program participation vary widely — check the school's YR table for your specific program.

Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) is authorized under 38 USC 3319. Requirements: at least 6 years of service, plus an additional 4-year service commitment from the date of transfer election. Transfer must be requested while still on active duty (or in the Selected Reserve). Once approved, benefits can be split among spouse and any DEERS-listed dependents in any percentage. Spouses can use immediately; children can use after the service member has served 10 years total.

Service members whose last period of active duty ended on or after January 1, 2013, get the "Forever GI Bill" — no expiration date on Post-9/11 benefits. Service members who left before that date have 15 years from their last separation. Reservists with qualifying active-duty time are usually covered under Forever GI Bill rules.

Yes — students taking 100% distance learning receive the national half-rate ($1,168.50/mo for AY 2026-2027), not the local rate. The workaround: enroll in at least one in-person, on-campus class per semester. Even a single 1-credit weekly in-person session flips you to the full location-based MHA, sometimes worth $3,000–$5,000/mo at urban schools.

Yes, but not for the same course. While on active duty, Tuition Assistance (TA) is generally cheaper to you (no benefit used). After separation, Post-9/11 GI Bill is your tool. The TA "Top-Up" feature lets you use GI Bill to cover what TA doesn't — but it burns GI Bill months proportionally. Most service members reserve GI Bill for after separation and use TA while still in.

Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31, sometimes called VR&E) pays full tuition + fees + books with no caps + a monthly subsistence allowance close to BAH (in many cases higher than GI Bill MHA). Eligibility requires a service-connected disability rating of 20%+ (10% in some cases) and a finding that you have an employment handicap. VR&E is generally more generous than Post-9/11 for veterans who qualify — it has no benefit-cap on tuition, supports through graduation, and you can use Post-9/11 GI Bill afterward.

36 months of full-time benefits, the equivalent of a 4-year academic schedule. Months are pro-rated by enrollment: a 9-credit semester at full-time-equivalence burns 4 months. The "rate of pursuit" calculator at VA.gov shows how a part-time schedule extends the timeline. STEM Extension (38 USC 3320) provides up to 9 additional months for designated STEM programs once your original 36 months are exhausted.

Surviving spouses and children of service members who died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001, receive Post-9/11 benefits at the 100% rate (full Yellow Ribbon eligibility, full MHA, full tuition cap, full book stipend). 38 USC 3311(b)(9). Surviving spouses retain eligibility for 15 years from the date of death (or longer under certain conditions); children may use it between ages 18 and 33.

Yes — Post-9/11 covers VA-approved non-college degree (NCD) programs, including many coding bootcamps, vocational schools, and aviation flight schools. Rates differ from college: tuition is capped at $33,247.85/yr (private) or in-state max (public), and MHA is paid only if the program meets certain hour requirements. Check the VA WEAMS database to confirm a specific bootcamp is approved before enrolling.

It pays during summer terms if you're enrolled. Standard summer break (no enrollment) = no MHA. Year-round enrollment at an accelerated-degree school (e.g., 12 months/year) maximizes total benefit utilization within the 36-month cap.

MHA is paid on the 1st of the month FOLLOWING the month of enrollment. So if your semester starts August 22 and you're full-time, your first MHA payment hits October 1 (for September enrollment, prorated for the August partial month). Plan for at least 30–45 days of zero MHA at the start of any term.