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GI Bill Housing Allowance Estimator

Estimate your Post-9/11 GI Bill Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) by school location, enrollment rate, and benefit tier.

Your School Details

40%60%80%100%

Tier is based on total active-duty service after 9/11. 36+ months = 100%.

Note on Online Programs: If all your courses are online (no in-person component), your MHA is capped at $1,098/month (½ the BAH for an E-5 with dependents in Washington DC) — not the local rate. Any in-person requirement bumps you to the full local rate.

Your Estimated MHA

$2,970
per month, tax-free
School Location Washington, DC
BAH Base Rate $2,970/mo
Benefit Tier 100%
Enrollment Rate Full-time
Monthly MHA $2,970
Annual MHA $35,640
Total MHA Value $106,920
Books Stipend (annual) $1,000

MHA is not paid during summer breaks or between terms. Based on E-5 w/ dependents BAH rates for 2026. Your actual rate is set at your school's ZIP code by the VA.

Sample MHA Rates by City (100% Tier, Full-Time)

San Francisco
$3,420/mo
$41,040/year
New York City
$3,210/mo
$38,520/year
Boston
$3,090/mo
$37,080/year
Washington DC
$2,970/mo
$35,640/year
Los Angeles
$2,850/mo
$34,200/year
Seattle
$2,670/mo
$32,040/year
Denver
$2,280/mo
$27,360/year
Chicago
$2,220/mo
$26,640/year
Phoenix
$1,860/mo
$22,320/year
Online Only
$1,098/mo
$13,176/year

Rates shown are E-5 with dependents BAH at the school's primary campus ZIP code. Your actual rate is confirmed by the VA after enrollment certification. Rates shown are approximate for 2026.