For some understanding how GI Bill monthly housing allowance (MHA) works can be a bit confusing. Here are five things to know about your MHA:

• MHA is paid only when you are actively enrolled and attending. This helps to ensure that you don’t run out of your benefits before you complete your school or training.
• You must be attending school or training at a rate that is greater than 50% of full time to receive MHA. Your rate of pursuit is based on how your school certifies your program.
• Your MHA is prorated if you are attending school or training at a part time rate.
• Changes in enrollment can affect your rate of pursuit, which will affect your MHA payments. If you make a change to your enrollment, be sure to let your School Certifying Official know immediately, so they can adjust your records with VA and ensure you are paid the proper benefits and avoid creating a debt.
• MHA payments are typically paid the first week of the month, for the previous month. Example: May 2024 MHA is paid during the first week of June 2024.

As you continue your education journey, it’s important to ensure that your benefits are being used wisely. While searching for a program, be aware of education scams. Predatory institutions use a variety of methods to manipulate Veterans into committing to misleading or fraudulent education programs. Some of these methods include:

• Promises of immediate student loan forgiveness.
• Guaranteed scholarship or eligibility for financial aid in exchange for a processing fee.
• Free gifts for enrolling in classes

At Education Service, we prioritize providing GI Bill students life-changing customer service to make sure you have a smooth GI Bill experience. In the most recent, State of EDU video, Executive Director Joseph Garcia discusses the customer service we provide to thousands of you every year.

As we continue our Digital GI Bill initiative to improve education benefits delivery, we will continue to keep you informed about updates we make to the GI Bill benefits process. Watch the State of EDU: Customer Service Excellence video to learn more about the updates we made so far.  

On April 10, we hosted a GI Bill Town Hall and Veterans Benefits Fair at Bowie State University as a part of our GI Bill Roadshow. Over 20 GI Bill beneficiaries attended the events to connect with EDU leadership, have their GI Bill questions answered, and learned more about how VA is modernizing the GI Bill experience. During the Veterans Benefits Fair, students had the opportunity to meet with benefits experts to learn how to get the most out of their Veterans benefits. We enjoyed meeting you and appreciate all the feedback you provided. We look forward to seeing more beneficiaries at future GI Bill Roadshow stops!    

Are you a Veteran or a military spouse seeking new career opportunities? We at the Veterans Affairs (VA) would be honored to have you join our team! With a wide range of positions available, we are committed to supporting those who have served and their families.

At VA, you’ll find a supportive community and meaningful work that continues to give back to those who have given so much. We encourage you to explore our current job openings and see where your talents might fit within our organization. Visit our careers page today and take the first step towards a rewarding new career at the VA: https://www.vaforvets.va.gov/vaforvets/JobSeekers/Pages/default.asp.

Get your savings on track with Military Saves, a Department of Labor program! The program provides valuable resources designed to help Veterans and military families achieve financial stability.

Whether you're looking to start your own business, buy a home, or build a secure retirement, our partners at the Department of Labor have tailored tips to guide you. We encourage you to take the military pledge. By doing so, you'll receive customized tips and regular reminders to help you stay on track with your savings goals. It's a great way to commit to your financial health and ensure a stable and secure future. For more information and to take the pledge visit https://militarysaves.org.

This is your chance to grab a spot in Warrior-Scholar Project’s (WSP) summer academic boot camps! WSP’s academic boot camps can help you prepare for college or improve your academic skills to be more successful. There are limited openings available in a few in-person and virtual boot camps. Fill out an interest form now to save your spot! 

Do you have a question or concern about your benefits? Contact us safely and securely with Ask VA!