Post-9/11 GI Bill Housing Allowance Calculator

Estimates the monthly housing allowance (MHA) for in-person classes, from the E-5 with-dependents BAH for your school's ZIP code.

Formula: BAH × eligibility tier × rate of pursuit
Benefit: Monthly housing allowance, in-person classes
Rate period: August 1, 2026, to July 31, 2027 (VA)
Checked: 2026-11-01

Estimated monthly housing allowance

Enter the E-5 with-dependents BAH for the school ZIP code.

Not included

Online-only and foreign-school classes, which use a different rate. Clock-hour programs, apprenticeship and on-the-job training, books and supplies, tuition, and the one-time relocation payment. Payments depend on your VA award and are not guaranteed.

How VA sets the MHA

The base is the DoD BAH for an E-5 with dependents at the ZIP code where you attend most classes.
The payment is a percentage of that BAH. The percentage combines your eligibility tier and your rate of pursuit.
Eligibility tier: 100% for 36 months or more of active duty; 90% for 30 to 35 months; 80% for 24 to 29 months; 70% for 18 to 23 months; 60% for 6 to 17 months; 50% for 90 days to 5 months.
Rate of pursuit: credits taken divided by the full-time credit count, rounded to the nearest tenth (9 of 12 is 80%). It must be more than 50%.
Half-time or less, correspondence, flight training, and active-duty members are not eligible.

Where to find the inputs

DTMO BAH Rate Lookup
Look up the school ZIP code, the 2026 year, pay grade E-5, and "With Dependents".
VA, Post-9/11 GI Bill rates (August 1, 2026, to July 31, 2027)
The eligibility tiers, rate of pursuit rule, and the BAH year VA uses.

Checked 2026-11-01.

Frequently asked questions

Which housing rate does VA use for in-person classes?

VA bases the resident monthly housing allowance (MHA) on the military BAH for an E-5 with dependents, for the ZIP code where you physically attend most of your classes. For August 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027, VA uses the 2026 BAH rates. Use the location where you attend most classes, not your home address.

Source: VA, Post-9/11 GI Bill rates (August 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027).

Does this calculator look up the BAH for my school ZIP code?

No. You enter the E-5 with-dependents BAH for the school’s ZIP code from the DTMO BAH Rate Lookup. The calculator then applies your eligibility tier and rate of pursuit.

Source: VA, Post-9/11 GI Bill rates; DTMO BAH Rate Lookup.

What is the rate of pursuit?

It is the credits you take divided by the full-time credit count for your school, rounded to the nearest tenth. For example, 9 credits in a school where 12 is full time is 80%. Your rate of pursuit must be more than 50% to be eligible for MHA.

Source: VA, Post-9/11 GI Bill rates, rate of pursuit.

How are online-only courses paid?

Online-only courses and foreign schools receive a prorated payment based on your eligibility tier and rate of pursuit, not the resident BAH rule on this page. Check the VA GI Bill Comparison Tool for the amount that applies to your program.

Source: VA, Post-9/11 GI Bill rates (online-only and foreign-school payment).

Who is not eligible for MHA?

You are not eligible if you are on active duty, if you are a spouse using transferred benefits while the Veteran is on active duty, if you are in school half time or less, if you are taking correspondence or flight training, or if you are on a break from school.

Source: VA, Post-9/11 GI Bill rates, monthly housing allowance.

How does my eligibility tier change the amount?

Full benefit (100%) requires at least 36 months, or 1,095 days, of active duty, or another qualifying condition. Shorter service gets 90% (910 to 1,094 days), 80% (730 to 909), 70% (545 to 729), 60% (180 to 544), or 50% (90 to 179 days). The calculator multiplies the BAH by this percentage and then by your rate of pursuit.

Source: VA, Post-9/11 GI Bill rates, eligibility tiers.