GI Bill Students: Monthly Housing Allowance Rates Implemented December 1

Veterans Benefits Administration sent this bulletin at 12/02/2019 10:24 AM EST

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Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) rate updates now implemented in VA’s IT systems

Dear GI Bill Beneficiary,

On December 1, updates went live in VA’s education claims processing systems and all Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) rates will now be processed in accordance with new MHA rules.

This means that starting in December, you may see your MHA rate change depending on how you are impacted.

Your MHA may change based on where you physically attend the majority of your classes.

Previously, you were paid MHA based on the location of the main or branch campus of the school where enrolled. Now, MHA is based on the campus location where you physically attend the majority of your classes.

Your MHA rate may change based on the date you first used your entitlement.

Based on the date you first used your entitlement; your MHA rate will fall into one of three categories.

  • If your first time ever using the Post 9/11 GI Bill was prior to January 1, 2018, you will continue to receive the VA MHA rate.
  • If your first time using the Post 9/11 GI Bill was between January 1, 2018 and July 31, 2018 you will receive the VA MHA rate for Academic Year 2017-2018 until the DoD BAH rate for an E-5 with dependents rate exceeds this rate.
  • If your first time using the Post-9/11 GI Bill was on or after August 1, 2018, your MHA rate could go down by as much as $89/month on December 1 to align with DoD rates.

After you begin receiving the correct MHA, your base rate may be impacted by enrollment changes such as annual rate adjustments, change in credit hours, or changing programs or locations.

Estimate your MHA

The best way to determine MHA rate is to check the GI Bill Comparison Tool. This tool provides MHA rates for main, branch campuses and extension campuses. Follow the steps below to receive an estimate of your MHA.

  • Search and select your school’s main campus from the list.
  • Scroll down to “Where will you take the majority of your classes?”
  • Select “Other Location” or “An Extension Campus.”
  • Enter the zip code of the other location or select the location from the drop down.

Please note: If you were overpaid or underpaid because of these changes, you will not have to appeal or apply for a corrected payment. VA will work with your school to determine any underpayment or over-payment, and issue payments. You will receive a letter to inform you of whether you were overpaid, underpaid or not impacted.

Learn more about how these changes may impact you by reviewing the Monthly Housing Allowance Student Guide and take a look at our MHA Rate Change infographic.

If you have additional questions, call the Education Call Center at 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551). For students outside the U.S., call 001-918-781-5678. You may also reach out to us through our Facebook page.

 

Respectfully,

Education Service