Understanding Housing Benefits for Military and Veteran Students
Are you looking for veteran and military housing benefits for online education? If you fall into one of these categories, you’ll find the information we are sharing below very useful.
- Active-duty service member of the United States Armed Forces. You can be in:
- the Army
- the Navy
- the Air Force
- the Space Force
- the Marine Corps
- the Coast Guard
- Veteran of the United States Armed Forces. You must meet eligibility requirements, such as honorable discharge.
- National Guard or Reserves member in good standing
- Legal spouse, dependent children, or survivor of active-duty service member or veteran under certain conditions
Keep in mind, too, that it isn’t only housing benefits that you can qualify for. You can also qualify for financial aid for tuition, fees, and book and supplies stipend. Indeed, it’s easier to pursue your online education with federal financial aid.
Why understand your housing benefits as a military or veteran student? You can take full advantage of your housing benefits and reduce out-of-pocket costs. With an annual average of $12,990 for room and board, a monthly housing allowance is welcome.
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With less financial stress comes many benefits, too. You can focus more on your studies and earn your college degree. Making the military-to-civilian transition becomes easier, too. You’re also more empowered to acquire new skills and pursue lifelong learning.
Suffice it to say that understanding your housing benefits is only the start. You’ll find more useful resources to make your educational journey more fulfilling.
Related Articles:
- Family-Friendly On-Campus Housing Options for Online Students
- Guide to Finding Affordable Housing Near Your Online College
- Low-Cost Housing for Online College Students: Solutions for a Comfortable Education
- Using Federal Student Loans to Finance Housing in Online Programs
Eligibility for Military and Veteran Housing Allowances in Online Programs
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides specific veteran housing allowances for online degree programs. Note that the Post-9/11 GI Bill housing benefits are only for veterans. Active-duty service members don’t receive specific education-related housing benefits.
On-campus and online students receive different Post-9/11 GI Bill housing allowance benefits. You must consider it when deciding between fully online and hybrid programs.
If you meet at least one of these requirements, you’re eligible for 100% educational benefits. You must have served on active duty:
- For a total of at least 36 months or 1,095 hours, or
- Awarded the Purple Heart on (or after) September 11, 2001, or
- For at least 30 continuous days (without a break in service) and discharged due to a service-connected disability
What happens if you don’t meet the 36-month minimum requirement? You’re still eligible for benefits but only for a certain percentage. Known as the eligibility tier, the percentage ranges from 50% to 90%. The benefits you will receive are determined by the number of days you’ve served.
On a related note, legal spouses and dependent children of veterans also qualify for Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits. The qualified veteran must have transferred their unused benefits to them during or after their active service. This is done through the Transfer of Benefits process at the VA website.
Eligible spouses and dependents in college programs also receive a monthly housing allowance. This is in addition to the coverage for tuition and fees and a book stipend.
Again, active-duty service members aren’t eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits. However, the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) Active Duty and Selected Reserve provide education benefits.
The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB), however, doesn’t provide a monthly housing allowance. In contrast, the Post-9/11 GI Bill has specific monthly housing allowance provisions.
Instead, the MGIB provides a monthly education benefit for eligible individuals. You can use the monthly benefit to pay for education-related costs, including housing. The monthly benefit depends on the length of service and enrollment status.
Under the MGIB Active Duty provisions, you must have served at least two years on active duty. Plus, you must meet all these requirements to qualify.
- With honorable discharge
- With a high school diploma, a GED equivalent, or at least 12 college-level credit hours
- Didn’t refuse MGIB-AD enrollment when you began active duty
- Meet other eligibility requirements
The MGIB Selected Reserve program covers members of the following:
- Army
- Navy
- Air Force
- Marine Corps
- Coast Guard Reserves
- Army National Guard
- Air National Guard
If you’re a member, you may qualify for MGIB-SR education benefits if you meet at least one of these requirements.
- You’ve agreed to a six-year service obligation in the Selected Reserve or
- You’ve agreed to serve another six years on top of your initial six-year obligation as a Selected Reserve officer
You must also meet all these eligibility requirements:
- Completed the IADT or initial active duty for training
- Received your high school diploma, GED, or high school equivalency before completing your IADT
- Stay in good standing during your service in an active Selected Reserve unit
The Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) also offers education benefits for reservists. The program provides education benefits for members of the reserve components who are ordered to active service for at least 90 consecutive days, either in a national emergency or war.
Note that you cannot receive REAP benefits with MGIB benefits. You have to choose between one or the other. Under REAP, you can receive up to 36 months of full-time education benefits. You can be in an online undergraduate or graduate program to qualify, too. The monthly stipend can cover housing costs.
Yet another program that can help out with housing costs is the Yellow Ribbon Program. You must qualify for the 100% benefit under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, among other requirements.
The Yellow Program provides extra financial support for education costs exceeding the maximum limit in the Post-9/11 GI Bill. You can use the financial aid for housing costs, too.
Not every accredited online university participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. The most notable participants are the University of Southern California, the University of Maryland Global Campus, and Liberty University. These are also among the most affordable online colleges for military personnel and veterans.
Be sure to explore online education financial aid for veterans and military members before making your choice. Talk to your commanding officer, financial aid officer, and/or VA official, if necessary. You must prepare your questions to maximize your time.
How the GI Bill Supports Housing for Online Students
Enacted in 2008, the Post-9/11 GI Bill expanded military education benefits for a new generation of veterans. These veterans served at least 90 days of active duty after September 10, 2001. Many of these veterans served during the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Their legal spouses and dependent children are also eligible upon transfer of unused benefits.
This is the most comprehensive financial aid for military and veteran students. If you’re enrolled as an in-state/resident student at a public university, your entire net tuition and fees will be covered.
But if you’re in a private university, an out-of-state student, or in a foreign school, there’s a cap on tuition and fee payments. The cap changes every year. For the August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025, period, the cap is up to $28,937.09 for on-campus students. The rate for online students is different – up to $14,055.13 in net tuition and fees.
The monthly housing allowance (MHA) is a significant aspect of Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits. Both on-campus and online students are eligible, but their MHAs differ. The MHA is paid at the end of each month.
Post-9/11 GI Bill Housing Allowance: What You Need to Know
For online students, the military student housing stipend is lower than for on-campus students. The VA uses the national average as the base for the online students’ monthly housing allowance. This means it can change every year.
As of this writing, online students can receive a maximum of $1,177.50 per month. This is equal to half the national average. If the average cost of room and board is $12,990 per academic year, it should be enough.
But there’s a way you can enjoy the higher resident housing allowance. You can take at least one in-person course, while the rest are online courses. The VA, however, reserves the right to reject or accept your application for the resident housing allowance. You should consult with your online college’s veterans affairs officer or the VA to ensure compliance with the requirements.
The VA pays a prorated payment based on two factors. (The prorated payment refers to a percentage of the full MHA)
- The percentage of education benefits you qualify for and
- The number of credits you’re taking, or the clock hours you’re taking per week
If you served for at least 36 months, you’re entitled to 100% of education benefits. But if you served for less than 36 months, the percentage is as follows:
- 30 to 35 months: 90%
- 24 to 29 months: 80%
- 18 to 23 months: 70%
- 6 to 17 months: 60%
- 90 days to 5 months: 50%
The MHA varies depending on your school’s location, too. You can receive up to $2,397 per month if you take at least one in-person course as a full-time student (12 credits). Again, the actual MHA will vary depending on your circumstances.
Additional Housing Resources and Support for Military Students
Here are more housing resources and support organizations that military and veteran students in online colleges can rely on.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Going straight to the source is an excellent step. The VA provides comprehensive information about military and veteran education benefits. Everything from eligibility requirements and restrictions to application procedures and amounts are available.
State-specific military and veteran student benefits
Ask your state’s VA about state-specific education benefits. These can include additional housing stipends, tuition waivers, and other forms of financial aid. Check out these programs:
- California’s CalVet College Fee Waiver
- Florida’s Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans
- Ohio’s National Guard Scholarship Program
- Massachusetts Veterans’ Benefits Program
- Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program
Student Veterans of America
SVA offers veterans online degree support, including finding military-friendly schools and scholarships. Many veterans have found veteran-specific housing aid programs through SVA, too.
National Military Family Association
The nonprofit organization is popular among military families seeking a supportive community. NMFA also provides veteran students with financial aid tips that enable them to navigate the system.
The American Legion
Consider The American Legion for its wide range of services, resources, and programs for veterans. Scholarships and grants are available.
How to Apply for Housing Benefits and Financial Aid as a Veteran Student
For a detailed step-by-step process and eligibility requirements, check out the VA’s official website or visit its nearest office. The following, nonetheless, summarizes the basic steps.
- Determine your eligibility for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits first.
- Gather the required documents.
- Be ready with your personal information, including your Social Security number, bank account number, basic information about your school, and education and military history.
- File your application via mail, in person, or with the assistance of a professional. (Here’s how to apply)
- Apply for federal financial aid through FAFSA. FAFSA usually opens on October 1 for the following academic year.
- Wait for confirmation from the VA for your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits and the Department of Education for your FAFSA-related benefits.
- Register for classes in a GI Bill-approved school.
- Communicate with your school’s financial aid office to ensure that your military education benefits and other financial aid have been applied.
Being organized, prompt, and patient during the process is a must.
Conclusion: Making the Most of Housing Benefits for Your Online Education
Getting approved is only half the battle. You must also know how to use military benefits for education in the best way possible. Be sure to use the financial aid for its intended purpose. If it’s for your housing costs, then pay your on-campus housing fee or off-campus rent.
Don’t limit yourself to military education benefits, either. Explore your options because the more financial aid you receive, the better for your financial health.