Military Housing Allowance

As an on-campus student, you have the best of both worlds: access to in-person classes and the flexibility to mix in online courses. With thoughtful planning, combining 8-week and 16-week terms can not only fit your schedule, it can maximize your benefits.  

If you’re taking at least one in-person course, you’re considered an on-campus student. You may also take online classes, but to receive full Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA), you must maintain on-campus status. 

Key Terms You Should Know  

• Rate of Pursuit (Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill) Reflects how your credit hours compare to full-time enrollment. Must be over 50% to qualify for MHA.
• Full-Time (Undergraduate)
  • 16-week semester (on campus): 12 credits = 100% rate
  • 8-week terms (online students): 6 credits = 100% rate
• MHA (Monthly Housing Allowance) To receive the full MHA, at least one on-campus class must run the entire term and your rate of pursuit must be above 50%. 

In non-standard (8-week) terms, the VA uses this formula: 
Credits × 18 ÷ Weeks = Credit Hour Equivalent 

Example: 

• 3-credit course in an 8-week term
• 3 × 18 = 54 ÷ 8 = 6.75 (rounded to 7)
• Equivalent to full-time → 100% MHA 

Good to Know: 

• As an on-campus student, you can take both 8-week and 16-week courses. The VA calculates each term independently and uses the highest rate during overlaps.
• You may receive full MHA if your rate of pursuit stays over 50% and you’re in an on-campus, in-person course.
• If you’re interested in being fully online, please note that the online-only MHA is about half of the national average Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH).

For the most accurate and updated stipend amounts and definitions of training time: 

If you're close to using all 36 months of Chapter 33 benefits: 

• The VA will pay through the end of the term you’re currently in. 
• VA won’t cover courses starting after your benefit runs out.