In-Person / Hybrid (Uses School Zip Code)
Online Only (Uses National Average)
Enter the "E-5 with Dependents" rate for the zip code where you take the majority of classes.
Standard undergraduate full-time is usually 12 credits. Grad school varies (often 9).
Rate of Pursuit:0%
Rounded Multiplier:0%
Applicable Base Rate:$0.00
Estimated Monthly MHA:$0.00
Warning: Your Rate of Pursuit is 50% or less. You are not eligible for MHA payments.
function toggleBahInput() {
var type = document.getElementById("campusType").value;
var bahGroup = document.getElementById("bahInputGroup");
if (type === "online") {
bahGroup.style.display = "none";
} else {
bahGroup.style.display = "block";
}
}
function calculateMHA() {
// 1. Get Inputs
var campusType = document.getElementById("campusType").value;
var bahRateInput = parseFloat(document.getElementById("bahRate").value);
var fullTimeLoad = parseFloat(document.getElementById("fullTimeLoad").value);
var enrolledCredits = parseFloat(document.getElementById("enrolledCredits").value);
// 2. Validation
if (isNaN(fullTimeLoad) || isNaN(enrolledCredits) || fullTimeLoad <= 0) {
alert("Please enter valid credit hours.");
return;
}
// 3. Determine Base Rate
// For Online Only (2024-2025 Academic Year), the rate is half the national average ($2,355 / 2 = $1,177.50)
// Note: Using the typical 2024/2025 figure of $1,177.50. This changes annually on Aug 1.
var nationalOnlineRate = 1177.50;
var baseRate = 0;
if (campusType === "online") {
baseRate = nationalOnlineRate;
} else {
if (isNaN(bahRateInput) || bahRateInput 1) {
ropRaw = 1;
}
var ropPercentage = ropRaw * 100;
// 5. Apply Rounding Rules (Nearest 10%)
// VA Rule: RoP is rounded to the nearest multiple of 10.
// Example: .583 (58.3%) -> 60%. .51 -> 50%.
// Standard Math.round(x / 10) * 10
var roundedRopPercent = Math.round(ropPercentage / 10) * 10;
// 6. Eligibility Check (Must be > 50%)
var finalPayment = 0;
var warningDiv = document.getElementById("eligibilityWarning");
if (ropRaw <= 0.5) {
// Not eligible
finalPayment = 0;
warningDiv.style.display = "block";
// Even if it rounds to 50%, if raw is <= 0.5, no payment.
} else {
warningDiv.style.display = "none";
// Calculate final payment
finalPayment = baseRate * (roundedRopPercent / 100);
}
// 7. Display Results
document.getElementById("ropResult").innerText = ropPercentage.toFixed(1) + "%";
document.getElementById("multiplierResult").innerText = roundedRopPercent + "%";
document.getElementById("baseRateResult").innerText = "$" + baseRate.toLocaleString("en-US", {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById("finalPayment").innerText = "$" + finalPayment.toLocaleString("en-US", {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById("results-area").style.display = "block";
}
Understanding Your Post 9/11 GI Bill MHA Rates
The Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) is one of the most valuable benefits provided by the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33). Unlike previous versions of the GI Bill, the MHA payment is not a flat rate for everyone; it fluctuates based on where you go to school, how many credits you take, and whether you study in-person or online.
This calculator helps veterans and beneficiaries estimate their monthly payments by applying the specific "Rate of Pursuit" and rounding logic used by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
How is the MHA Calculated?
The calculation relies on three primary factors:
Location (E-5 Rate): For students taking at least one class in person, the MHA is equal to the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents for the zip code of your school. It does not matter what your actual rank was or where you live; it matters where the campus is located.
Rate of Pursuit: This is calculated by dividing the number of credits you are enrolled in by the number of credits your school considers to be "full-time."
Learning Format: Students enrolled exclusively in online training receive a different rate, which is set at half the national average of the BAH rates.
The "Rate of Pursuit" Rule
To receive any housing allowance, your Rate of Pursuit must be greater than 50%. If you are taking exactly 50% of a full-time load (e.g., 6 credits out of 12), you will not receive a monthly housing payment. You must take at least 7 credits (in a standard 12-credit semester) to qualify.
Furthermore, the VA rounds your payment multiplier to the nearest 10%. For example:
If your calculated rate is 58%, it rounds up to 60%.
If your calculated rate is 82%, it rounds down to 80%.
Online vs. In-Person Rates
If you take 100% of your classes online, you are capped at the "Online Only" rate. For the 2024-2025 academic year, this is generally set at $1,177.50 (half of the national average). However, if you take just one class in a traditional classroom setting (hybrid), you qualify for the full resident BAH rate for that school's zip code, which can often be significantly higher in major metropolitan areas.
How to Find Your E-5 BAH Rate
To use this calculator accurately for in-person learning, you need the current BAH rate for your school's zip code. You can find this using the official Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) calculator or the VA's GI Bill Comparison Tool. Remember to select "E-5" rank and check the "With Dependents" box, regardless of your actual family status.