Estimate your monthly housing allowance (MHA) based on your location and training type.
100%
80%
60%
40%
30%
(Enter the total amount the VA pays directly to your school for tuition and fees. If none, enter 0.)
(This helps estimate your actual out-of-pocket cost, though MHA is based on the highest GRA in your area.)
Estimated Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)
$0.00
Understanding the Post-9/11 GI Bill Housing Allowance (MHA)
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides valuable educational benefits to eligible service members and veterans. A significant part of this benefit is the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA), designed to help cover living expenses while pursuing education or training. This calculator helps you estimate your potential MHA.
How MHA is Calculated:
The MHA is primarily determined by the highest geographically based rate (GBR) for Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) in effect for an E-5 with dependents within your school's zip code. However, several factors can influence the final amount you receive:
Your GI Bill Payment Tier: This is based on your service length after September 10, 2001. The calculator uses this percentage to scale the full MHA rate.
Location (Zip Code): The MHA is tied to the cost of living in the area where your school is located. Higher cost-of-living areas generally have higher MHA rates.
Tuition and Fees: If the VA pays tuition and fees directly to your school, your MHA payment will be reduced by that amount. The MHA is typically paid directly to you, while tuition is paid to the school. This calculator accounts for this offset.
Enrollment Status: You must be enrolled in more than half-time study to receive MHA. MHA is not paid for the months of December, July, and August if you are only taking online classes during those months.
Online Training: For students solely pursuing distance learning (online courses), the MHA is capped at the national average rate for an E-5 with dependents, regardless of the school's location.
Calculator Inputs Explained:
GI Bill Payment Tier: Select the percentage of benefit you are eligible for (e.g., 100%, 80%, etc.). This is crucial for scaling the MHA.
Your Zip Code: Enter the zip code of the school or training facility you will be attending. This determines the BAH rate used for calculation.
Tuition and Fees Paid by VA: Input the total amount the VA pays directly to your institution for tuition and fees. This amount is subtracted from your calculated MHA to prevent duplication of benefits.
Estimated Monthly Rent/Housing Cost: While not directly used in the core MHA calculation (which uses BAH rates), this field is included to help you compare your estimated MHA against your actual housing expenses.
Important Notes:
This calculator provides an *estimate*. Actual benefit amounts are determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
The VA uses specific tables and rates that are updated periodically.
The MHA is paid monthly, typically on the first day of the month for the previous month's attendance.
For the most accurate information, always consult the official VA website or a VA representative.
function calculateMHA() {
var paymentTier = parseFloat(document.getElementById("paymentTier").value) / 100;
var zipCode = document.getElementById("zipCode").value;
var tuitionFees = parseFloat(document.getElementById("tuitionFees").value);
var monthlyHousingCost = parseFloat(document.getElementById("monthlyHousingCost").value); // Not directly used in MHA calc but good for context
// Basic validation
if (isNaN(paymentTier) || zipCode === "" || isNaN(tuitionFees)) {
document.getElementById("result-value").innerText = "Please enter valid inputs.";
return;
}
// — Hypothetical BAH Rates for demonstration —
// In a real application, you would fetch these from a database or API based on zip code.
// These are simplified examples and do NOT reflect actual VA rates.
// Structure: { zipCodePrefix: { bahRate: amount, isOconus: boolean } }
var bahRatesByZipPrefix = {
"902": { bahRate: 2500, isOconus: false }, // Example: Los Angeles area
"100": { bahRate: 3000, isOconus: false }, // Example: New York City area
"750": { bahRate: 1800, isOconus: false }, // Example: Dallas area
"303": { bahRate: 1600, isOconus: false }, // Example: Atlanta area
"941": { bahRate: 3200, isOconus: false }, // Example: San Francisco area
"000": { bahRate: 1500, isOconus: false }, // Default/Fallback for unknown zip codes
"202": { bahRate: 2800, isOconus: false } // Example: Washington D.C. area
};
// National average for online training (simplified)
var nationalAverageOnlineRate = 1700;
// — End Hypothetical BAH Rates —
var determinedBahRate = nationalAverageOnlineRate; // Default for online
var isOnlineOnly = false; // Assume not online only unless specified by VA rules which are not simulated here.
// Simple logic to find a matching rate based on zip code prefix.
// A real system would have a more robust lookup.
var foundRate = false;
for (var prefix in bahRatesByZipPrefix) {
if (zipCode.startsWith(prefix)) {
determinedBahRate = bahRatesByZipPrefix[prefix].bahRate;
isOnlineOnly = bahRatesByZipPrefix[prefix].isOconus; // Assuming OCONUS implies online rate cap in this simplified model, which isn't entirely accurate. VA rules are complex.
foundRate = true;
break;
}
}
// If no specific prefix matches, use the default
if (!foundRate) {
determinedBahRate = bahRatesByZipPrefix["000"].bahRate;
}
// Adjust MHA based on tuition and fees paid by VA
var potentialMha = determinedBahRate * paymentTier;
var finalMha = potentialMha;
if (tuitionFees > 0) {
finalMha = potentialMha – tuitionFees;
}
// Ensure MHA doesn't go below zero
if (finalMha < 0) {
finalMha = 0;
}
// Format the result
document.getElementById("result-value").innerText = "$" + finalMha.toFixed(2);
}