Can I get full bah for online classes?

No, you generally cannot get the full Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for exclusively online classes with the Post-9/11 GI Bill; you typically receive half the national average Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA), but you can qualify for the full MHA if you take at least one in-person or hybrid class, according to VA.gov and Veteran.com. The full MHA rate is based on the school's zip code, while the online-only rate is a fixed national average, with hybrid or blended learning being the key to unlocking the higher rate.

Is the VA paying full BAH for online classes?

No, the VA does not pay full Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for exclusively online classes; they pay a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) at half the national average for an E-5 with dependents, but you get the standard, higher MHA rate if you take at least one in-person class. The MHA for online-only students is lower because it assumes less disruption to employment and housing costs compared to on-campus learning, but you must be enrolled over half-time (50.1%) to get any MHA. 

How many classes do I need to take to get full BAH?

12 credits or more (Full MHA/BAH)

Does the military pay for online classes?

Since 1944, the GI Bill has helped millions of our nation's service-members earn a college degree. But with the advent of online learning, many veterans wonder if their GI Bill benefits will still cover the costs. Can my funds be used toward online courses? The short answer to this question is yes.

Does chapter 35 pay 100% tuition?

No, Chapter 35 (Dependents' Educational Assistance) does not pay full tuition directly; it provides a monthly stipend paid to the student, which can be used for educational expenses like tuition, books, and housing, but often doesn't cover the full cost, requiring students to pay the difference or seek other aid like state tuition waivers (e.g., Texas's Hazlewood Act). The VA sends payments to the student, not the school, based on enrollment level, so you're responsible for paying tuition bills directly. 

GI Bill- BAH & Book Stipend advice!!

Will BAH increase in 2026?

Yes, Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates went up for 2026, with a national average increase of 4.2% effective January 1, 2026, following a larger 5.4% jump in 2025, though actual increases vary by location based on local rent and utility costs. While most service members saw their allowance rise, the exact amount depends on paygrade, dependency status, and location, with some areas seeing higher or lower changes. 

Why am I not getting full BAH?

The most common reason for a smaller than expected BAH payment is due to the payment being pro-rated based on the number of days in the month that a student is enrolled.

Does VA Chapter 35 pay online classes?

Yes, Chapter 35 (Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance - DEA) benefits can pay for online classes, but it's generally paid as a monthly stipend directly to the student, not to the school for tuition, and eligibility depends on the program type (degree vs. non-degree) and whether the institution is approved for distance learning, with full-time online students usually getting the same payment as in-person students for degree programs, notes this reddit post and this VA.gov article. 

What qualifies you to get BAH?

It depends on whether or not you have legal and physical custody of your children, pay child support, and/or live in single-type government quarters. If you have legal and physical custody of your children, then you are authorized BAH at the with-dependent rate if not assigned adequate family-type government quarters.

How much BAH for 10 credit hours?

If you are enrolled in 10 credits your rate of pursuit is . 83 and you will receive 80% of applicable BAH. If you are enrolled in 6 credits, your rate of pursuit is . 50 and your will receive 50% of applicable BAH.

Is getting a bachelor's online worth it?

As technology reshapes how we learn and work, online degrees have become a serious option for building your skills, growing your career, and reaching long-term goals. If you want to move forward without putting your life on hold, the remote path may make the most sense.

Will GI Bill pay for Coursera?

Hello there @User16527797241055625176​ and @User16695769612116937450​, unfortunately, Post 9/11 GI Bill is not a method that Coursera accepts. You can click here to know all of the accepted methods of payment. You can also apply for financial aid to get courses for free.

What is the BAH for online classes?

For Online Only training, the Post 9/11 GI Bill is currently (1 August 2024) paying $1055.00 for those who started using their Post 9/11 GI Bill on/after 1 January 2018 - this is based on 1/2 of the National Average BAH paid to an E5 with dependents.

What is the 70 40 rule for veterans?

The VA 70/40 Rule is a pathway to Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), allowing veterans with multiple service-connected conditions to receive 100% disability compensation if they have a combined rating of 70% or higher, with at least one condition rated at 40% or more, and are unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to their disabilities, explains CCK Law and Unruh Law, say CCK Law and Unruh Law. This rule recognizes that multiple lesser conditions can prevent work, even if the combined rating isn't 100%, providing benefits equivalent to 100% disability, note Veterans Guide and Veteran Ratings, state Veterans Guide and Veteran Ratings. 

Do 100% disabled vets get free college for their kids?

College Fee Waiver

Student children of a veteran with a service-connected rating of 0% or higher may be able to attend any state college/university tuition free. The California State Department of Veterans Affairs will waive the fees at any state school for the children of a service-connected disabled veteran.

Does VA pay housing for online classes?

If you're taking all online courses (no in-person courses), we'll pay a monthly housing allowance (MHA) based on 50% of the national average. If you take at least 1 in-person course, we'll pay the standard housing allowance under Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.

How much does the VA pay for full time online classes?

Your payment would be 1/3 of the monthly rate. We'll pay you up to the rate listed here based on how many courses you're taking: Full-time enrollment: $1,574.00 for each full month. 3/4-time enrollment: $1,244.00 for each full month.

Do Veterans get free iPads with the VA?

Yes, the VA can provide qualifying veterans with a VA-loaned iPad for telehealth appointments through their Connected Devices Program, part of their Digital Divide initiative, but you must be enrolled in VA care and get a referral from your care team to see if you're eligible for this free device and internet access to connect to virtual care. It's a loaned device, not a gift, and you'll need to return it if you stop treatment or the VA requests it back. 

How many classes to get full BAH?

The Full Chapter 33 BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is based on the student's entitlement percentage. For example, if you are at 100 percent entitlement and you are enrolled in 12 or more undergraduate hours you will receive the full BAH amount.

How to maximize BAH?

To maximize your BAH budget, make sure to track your rent, utilities, homeowners or renters insurance, and maintenance costs regularly. That will help you keep your total housing expenses within your BAH limit and use any extra funds to save or pay down debt.

Why am I receiving partial BAH?

A member without dependents who is living in government quarters is entitled to a Partial BAH.

What state has the highest BAH?

There isn't one single state with the "highest BAH" because it varies by specific duty station, but California (CA) and New York (NY) consistently have locations with the highest Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) due to high housing costs, with New York City often topping the list for specific cities, while areas like San Francisco, San Diego, and Honolulu also feature prominently. The rates depend on your rank (pay grade) and if you have dependents, reflecting local market conditions.
 

Can you get double BAH?

Can dual military couples both receive BAH? Junior Sailors married to other junior Sailors and are both on sea duty, can now each receive basic allowance for housing (BAH). Before this change was instituted, dual military couples were only entitled to one joint housing allowance.

Is BAH going down in 2025?

The national average BAH rates for service members with and without dependents rose by 4.2% from 2025 to 2026.