Determine your Post-9/11 GI Bill housing allowance percentage based on your credit load.
The total number of credit hours you are taking this term.
Standard is usually 12 for undergraduate semesters. Adjust for graduate school or accelerated terms.
Raw Calculation:0%
Rounded Rate of Pursuit:0%
Housing Allowance (MHA) Eligibility:
function calculateRateOfPursuit() {
var credits = parseFloat(document.getElementById('creditsEnrolled').value);
var standard = parseFloat(document.getElementById('fullTimeStandard').value);
var resultBox = document.getElementById('resultBox');
var rawDisplay = document.getElementById('rawPercentage');
var roundedDisplay = document.getElementById('roundedPercentage');
var statusDisplay = document.getElementById('mhaStatus');
var explanationDisplay = document.getElementById('calculationExplanation');
// Validation
if (isNaN(credits) || isNaN(standard) || standard <= 0 || credits 100) displayRaw = 100;
// 2. Rounding Logic (Nearest 10%)
// VA Rule: Rate of pursuit is rounded to the nearest 10%.
var roundedRate = Math.round(rawRate / 10) * 10;
// Cap rounded rate at 100%
if (roundedRate > 100) roundedRate = 100;
// 3. MHA Eligibility Logic
// Student must be pursuing GREATER THAN 50% to receive MHA.
// If Rate of Pursuit is exactly 50% or less, MHA is 0%.
var mhaPercentage = 0;
var statusHtml = "";
var explanationText = "";
if (rawRate <= 50) {
mhaPercentage = 0;
statusHtml = 'Not Eligible (0%)';
explanationText = "Your Rate of Pursuit is 50% or less. You are not eligible for the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA), though your tuition and fees may still be covered.";
} else {
// If raw rate is > 50%, they are eligible.
// Even if standard rounding would drop 54% to 50%, for MHA purposes, >50% usually triggers the 60% payment tier in practice
// OR strictly follows nearest 10. However, the strict VA rule is 'Nearest 10%'.
// Most guidance suggests:
// 6/12 = 50% (No MHA)
// 7/12 = 58.33% -> Rounds to 60% (Eligible for 60% MHA)
mhaPercentage = roundedRate;
statusHtml = 'Eligible for ' + mhaPercentage + '% MHA';
explanationText = "Because your Rate of Pursuit is greater than 50%, you are eligible for a percentage of the Monthly Housing Allowance based on the rounded rate.";
}
// Display Results
resultBox.style.display = "block";
rawDisplay.innerText = rawRate.toFixed(2) + "%";
roundedDisplay.innerText = roundedRate + "%";
statusDisplay.innerHTML = statusHtml;
explanationDisplay.innerText = explanationText;
}
Understanding Rate of Pursuit for the GI Bill
The "Rate of Pursuit" is a specific calculation used by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to determine your eligibility for the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) under the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33). Unlike simple full-time or part-time designations, the Rate of Pursuit is a precise percentage derived from the number of credits you are taking compared to what your school considers full-time.
How is Rate of Pursuit Calculated?
The formula is relatively straightforward but has significant financial implications. The VA divides the number of credits you are enrolled in by the number of credits considered full-time by your institution.
The resulting percentage is then rounded to the nearest 10%. For example:
If you are taking 9 credits and 12 is full-time: 9 ÷ 12 = 0.75 or 75%. This rounds up to an 80% Rate of Pursuit.
If you are taking 7 credits and 12 is full-time: 7 ÷ 12 = 0.583 or 58.3%. This rounds to a 60% Rate of Pursuit.
The 50% Threshold Rule
The most critical rule regarding the Monthly Housing Allowance is the 50% threshold. To receive any housing allowance payment, your Rate of Pursuit must be greater than 50%.
Exactly 50% (e.g., 6 credits out of 12): You get $0 in housing allowance. The VA will still pay your tuition and fees, but you will not receive the monthly stipend.
51% or higher: You become eligible for the housing allowance, prorated to your rounded Rate of Pursuit (typically starting at 60%).
Full-Time Standards Vary
While 12 credits is the standard denominator for undergraduate semester terms, this number changes based on your specific situation:
Graduate School: Schools define their own full-time standards for master's or doctoral programs. It is often 9 credits, but it can be lower. You must check with your School Certifying Official (SCO).
Summer Terms: In accelerated summer sessions (e.g., 8 weeks), the number of credits required to be considered full-time is significantly lower. For example, 4 credits in a short summer term might be considered 100% Rate of Pursuit.
Impact on Active Duty
It is important to note that if you are currently serving on active duty, or are the spouse of an active duty service member using transferred benefits, you generally do not receive the Monthly Housing Allowance, regardless of your Rate of Pursuit.