Calculate your tuition coverage, housing allowance (MHA), and book stipend based on the 2024-2025 rates.
100% (36+ months service or Purple Heart)
90% (30 to < 36 months)
80% (24 to < 30 months)
70% (18 to < 24 months)
60% (6 to < 18 months)
50% (90 days to < 6 months)
Based on aggregate active duty service after Sept 10, 2001.
Enter the E-5 with Dependents BAH rate for the school's location.
Usually 12 for undergrad, 9 for grad.
Rate of Pursuit:0%
Tuition Paid to School:$0.00
Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA):$0.00
Book & Supply Stipend (Semester):$0.00
Est. Total Benefit Value (Semester):$0.00
* MHA is paid monthly while enrolled. Total value assumes 4 months of MHA per semester.
function calculateBenefits() {
// Inputs
var tier = parseFloat(document.getElementById('serviceTier').value);
var schoolType = document.getElementById('schoolType').value;
var tuition = parseFloat(document.getElementById('tuitionFees').value);
var format = document.getElementById('studyFormat').value;
var localMha = parseFloat(document.getElementById('localMhaRate').value);
var credits = parseFloat(document.getElementById('creditsEnrolled').value);
var fullTimeDef = parseFloat(document.getElementById('fullTimeDef').value);
// Validation
if (isNaN(tuition) || tuition < 0) tuition = 0;
if (isNaN(credits) || credits < 0) credits = 0;
if (isNaN(fullTimeDef) || fullTimeDef <= 0) fullTimeDef = 12;
// If resident, localMha is required. If online, we use national avg cap.
var nationalAvgOnlineMha = 1177.50; // Approx 2024/2025 rate (half of national avg)
if (format === 'resident' && (isNaN(localMha) || localMha 0.5) to get ANY MHA.
// If RoP > 1.0, it caps at 1.0.
// MHA payment percentage is rounded to nearest 10%.
var payableMhaPercentage = 0;
if (rawRop > 0.5) {
if (rawRop >= 1.0) {
payableMhaPercentage = 1.0;
} else {
// Round to nearest 10% (e.g. 0.81 -> 0.80)
// Actually, VA rule: Round to nearest multiple of 10.
payableMhaPercentage = Math.round(rawRop * 10) / 10;
}
} else {
payableMhaPercentage = 0; // No MHA for 50% or less
}
// 2. Calculate Tuition
// Private School Cap (Annual) approx $28,937.09 for 2024-2025.
// We will assume the input is for a semester and check simply against the cap logic per payment.
// For this estimator, we apply the tier % to the tuition or the cap.
var annualCap = 28937.09;
var payableTuition = 0;
if (schoolType === 'public') {
// Public: Pays all net in-state tuition fees * tier
payableTuition = tuition * tier;
} else {
// Private: Pays lesser of tuition OR Cap * tier
// Since this calculator is "per semester", strict annual cap tracking is hard.
// We will simplify: Allow up to half the annual cap per semester for estimation,
// or just apply tier to tuition, warning about cap in text.
// Let's implement a "Per Event" logic assuming the cap hasn't been met yet.
// Simplified: Min(Tuition, AnnualCap) * Tier.
// Realistically, if tuition > 28k in one semester, you hit the cap.
var effectiveTuition = (tuition > annualCap) ? annualCap : tuition;
payableTuition = effectiveTuition * tier;
}
// 3. Calculate MHA
var monthlyMha = 0;
// Note: Active duty does NOT get MHA via GI Bill (they get BAH already).
// We assume applicant is Veteran for MHA calculation.
// If format is online, MHA is 50% of National Average.
if (payableMhaPercentage > 0) {
if (format === 'online') {
monthlyMha = nationalAvgOnlineMha * payableMhaPercentage * tier;
} else {
monthlyMha = localMha * payableMhaPercentage * tier;
}
}
// 4. Book Stipend
// $41.67 per credit hour, max $1000 per year.
// Tier applies to book stipend too.
var rawBookStipend = credits * 41.67;
// Cap per semester approx $500? No, cap is annual $1000.
// We'll just show the raw calculation for this semester capped at $1000.
if (rawBookStipend > 1000) rawBookStipend = 1000;
var payableBookStipend = rawBookStipend * tier;
// 5. Total (Assuming 4 months per semester for MHA)
var totalBenefit = payableTuition + payableBookStipend + (monthlyMha * 4);
// Display Results
document.getElementById('ropResult').innerText = ropDisplay.toFixed(0) + "%" + (rawRop <= 0.5 ? " (No MHA)" : "");
document.getElementById('tuitionResult').innerText = "$" + payableTuition.toLocaleString('en-US', {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('mhaResult').innerText = "$" + monthlyMha.toLocaleString('en-US', {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}) + " / mo";
document.getElementById('bookResult').innerText = "$" + payableBookStipend.toLocaleString('en-US', {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('totalResult').innerText = "$" + totalBenefit.toLocaleString('en-US', {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('results').style.display = 'block';
}
Understanding Your Post-9/11 GI Bill Rates (Chapter 33)
The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) helps you pay for school or job training. If you've served on active duty after September 10, 2001, you may qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This calculator helps estimate the specific financial benefits you will receive based on your service tier, school choice, and enrollment status.
How the Benefit Rates are Calculated
Your total benefit is comprised of three distinct payments: Tuition & Fees, Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA), and the Books & Supplies Stipend.
1. The Eligibility Tier
The foundation of your payment rate is your percentage of eligibility. This is based on your cumulative length of active duty service. For example, if you served 36 months or more, you are in the 100% tier. If you served 24 months, you are likely in the 80% tier. All payments (Tuition, MHA, and Books) are multiplied by this percentage.
2. Tuition and Fees Payment
This money is paid directly to the school.
Public Schools (In-State): The GI Bill covers all net tuition and fees for in-state students at public institutions, multiplied by your eligibility tier.
Private & Foreign Schools: There is an annual statutory cap (approx. $28,937.09 for the 2024-2025 academic year). The VA will pay the lesser of the actual tuition or the cap, multiplied by your tier.
3. Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)
This is paid directly to you at the end of each month you are enrolled. The rate is determined by three factors:
Location: For "Resident" (in-person) students, the rate is based on the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents for the zip code of your campus.
Study Format: If you are taking classes 100% online, your MHA is capped at half the national average (approximately $1,177.50 for 2024). Taking just one class in-person qualifies you for the resident rate.
Rate of Pursuit: You must be enrolled greater than half-time (more than 50%) to receive any MHA. If you are full-time (usually 12 credits), you get the full rate. If you are between 51% and 99%, the payment is rounded to the nearest 10%.
4. Books and Supplies Stipend
You may receive an annual book stipend of up to $1,000. It is paid at a rate of approximately $41.67 per credit hour. This lump sum is paid to you at the beginning of each term.
Important Notes
Active Duty: If you are currently on active duty, you are not eligible for the Monthly Housing Allowance or the Book Stipend, but your tuition is covered.
Yellow Ribbon Program: If your tuition at a private school exceeds the annual cap, or you are an out-of-state student, participating schools may waive part of the difference, and the VA matches that waiver under the Yellow Ribbon Program.