BAH Calculator

Check the MHA/BAH Rate Now

Before committing to a program, veterans often use a BAH calculator, GI Bill MHA calculator, or GI Bill housing allowance calculator to estimate housing allowance tied to a school’s ZIP code. If you are comparing multiple schools that accept GI Bill benefits, run estimates for each campus location. Housing allowance can vary significantly between states and metro areas, especially when comparing projected MHA rates 2025 / 2026 and BAH rates 2026.

Fill out the form to get your BAH rate!

Not a valid zip code for BAH.

Monthly Housing Allowance:

In the same year, two veterans using the GI Bill can receive very different housing allowances. In high-cost metro areas such as San Francisco or New York City, Monthly Housing Allowance GI Bill payments tied to in-person enrollment can exceed $4,000 per month. In other parts of the country, that number may be closer to $1,200. The difference is not rank, effort, or need. It comes down to where the school is located, how the program is structured, and how MHA and BAH are calculated under the GI Bill.

This page explains how to calculate your GI Bill MHA and GI Bill BAH, how program format affects housing allowance, and why some veterans choose low-residency programs in high-allowance areas while maintaining full-time jobs and family obligations.

Top 5 Cities Having the Highest BAH

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates are tied to local cost of living. In California, BAH rates increased by an average of 4.2% in 2026, which matches the national average. Several California duty stations, however, received different rate increases, as listed below.

San Francisco, CA
New York, NY
Santa Clara County, CA
Honolulu County, HI
Oakland, CA

GI Bill BAH is tied to the school’s ZIP code, not where you live!

Many people are not aware of this option. If you have a family or spouse, you may want to choose a school located in San Francisco, California, where the BAH rate is higher. You can enroll in a hybrid program with low on-campus residency requirements, and still live or work in an area with a lower cost of living. This approach can help you gain your housing benefits while managing your overall expenses.

First Things First: What Exactly Is MHA/BAH?

MHA stands for Monthly Housing Allowance. Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, it is the housing support paid to eligible students enrolled in a GI Bill certified program.

Many veterans refer to this as GI Bill BAH. While BAH is technically a Department of Defense allowance for active-duty service members, GI Bill MHA uses the same BAH tables for an E-5 with dependents, tied to the ZIP code of the school you physically attend.

A few practical points matter more than definitions:

MHA is paid directly to you, not to the school.
It is paid after the month ends.
You generally must be enrolled more than half-time.
MHA is usually not paid during breaks between terms if you are not enrolled.

For many veterans, GI Bill benefits are less about tuition and more about whether housing costs are manageable during school.

How VA Calculates Your MHA — The Truth Behind the Numbers

VA housing allowance calculations depend on three factors. All three must align for housing allowance to be paid at the location-based rate.

Your GI Bill Tier (50%–100%)

Your percentage is based on how long you served after 9/11.

36+ months → 100%
24–35 months → 80–90%
6–17 months → 60–70%
90 days → 50%

If you’re not at the 100% tier, VA simply pays you the same percentage of the MHA.\

Your Enrollment Level (Rate of Pursuit)

Think of this as VA’s way of measuring how close you are to being full-time. Example:

12 credits = 100%
9 credits = 75%
6 credits = half-time → not eligible for MHA
Anything above 6 credits → usually eligible

If you drop a class mid-semester, your MHA may change, and yes, sometimes VA asks for back-payment if they’ve overpaid.

Your Class Format (In-Person, Hybrid, or Online)

This is where ZIP code matters.

Fully online programs typically receive a national online housing rate, regardless of where the student lives.
In-person programs receive housing allowance tied to the school’s ZIP code.
Hybrid and low-residency programs may qualify for ZIP-code-based MHA if they are certified as in-residence.

This distinction is why veterans often look beyond whether a school accepts the GI Bill and ask how the program is classified for housing purposes.

Understanding MHA Across Different Types of Programs

The GI Bill covers far more than traditional four-year degrees. Here’s how MHA works across the major categories.

Hybrid and Low-Residency Programs

These programs are especially popular among working veterans because:

You complete most coursework online
You still attend required on-campus sessions
And yes, those sessions unlock full ZIP-code-based MHA

If you’ve ever wondered how to “maximize BAH” without moving across the country full-time, this is how many veterans do it.

100% Online Programs

Online programs give unmatched flexibility, but the tradeoff is financial:

You receive the national online MHA rate, not the local BAH rate
It applies no matter where you live
You still must be more than half-time

This works well for veterans who have stable housing or full-time jobs, but less so for those relying heavily on MHA for living expenses.

Apprenticeships and OJT Programs

For apprenticeships and OJT, MHA shrinks over time as your employer pays you more.

Months 1–6 → 100% BAH
Months 7–12 → 80%
Months 13–18 → 60%
Months 19–24 → 40%
Beyond 24 months → 20%

You’re essentially transitioning from VA-supported income to employer-supported income, one step closer to full independence.

Flight Schools, Non-Degree Programs, and More

You receive MHA as long as you’re:

More than half-time
In an approved program
In compliance with your school’s enrollment certifications

When VA Stops Paying MHA — The Part Many Miss

You will not receive MHA during:

Winter break
Spring break
Summer break (if you’re not enrolled)
Any month where your course load falls to half-time
Any period while you or your spouse is on active duty
Any delay between certification dates
Any period before your classes officially begin

Veterans planning housing should always budget for these gaps.

Real Examples: What MHA Looks Like in Practice

Example A: A Veteran Attending School in San Diego in Person

ZIP code BAH for E-5 with dependents ≈ $3,504/month
Full-time student, 100% tier
→ Receives ~$3,504 per month (The student needs to live near the school to attend in-person classes.)

Example B: Fully Online Student

National online rate ≈ $1,054/month
→ Receives the same amount whether living in Texas or New York

Example C: Hybrid MBA with One Weekend Residency

School BAH: $5,000/month
→ Receives full $5,000/month MHA

(A single on-campus weekend counts as “in residence.”)

Example D: Veteran in a Welding Apprenticeship

Local BAH: $2,200
Months 1–6 → Full $2,200
Months 7–12 → ~$1,760
Months 13–18 → ~$1,320

Frequently Asked Questions

Does one in-person class really give me full MHA?

Yes — if it’s required and part of your official program.

Is hybrid learning treated as in-person?

In most cases, yes.

Do dependents using transferred GI Bill get MHA?

Children: yes
Spouses: not while the service member is still on active duty

What happens if my school delays my certification?

Your MHA is delayed too — always stay in close communication with your SCO.

Can I check my BAH before enrolling?

Absolutely — use the DoD BAH calculator and enter the school’s ZIP code, E-5 with dependents.

Connect with a GI Bill Navigator

Free one-on-one support to help you understand your benefits.

VeteranDegrees.com Navigators help you:

Understand GI Bill® tuition coverage
Interpret your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
Learn how BAH works for hybrid, online, and in-person programs
Verify whether a program type is VA-approved
Know which questions to ask a School Certifying Official (SCO)
Explore education paths based on your goals

How to Calculate Your MHA/BAH?