Estimate your monthly housing allowance
Estimated 2026-27 MHA by college town
Your MHA equals the DoD Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents at your school's ZIP code, effective for the academic year starting Aug 1, 2026. Rates below are estimates compiled from BAH data trends (via vetcalc.org and military.com reporting) for planning purposes. Always confirm your school's exact rate with the VA's GI Bill Comparison Tool before making decisions.
| College town | Est. monthly MHA (2026-27) |
|---|
Fixed 2026-27 rates: exclusively online $1,261/mo; foreign schools $2,522/mo (per military.com, from VA rate tables).
Frequently asked questions
How is my GI Bill housing allowance calculated?
Your MHA is the DoD Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents at the ZIP code of the campus where you take most of your classes. The VA then prorates it by your benefit tier (50%-100% based on length of service) and your rate of pursuit (how full-time you are enrolled).
What is the MHA for fully online students in 2026-27?
$1,261 per month: half the national average MHA of $2,522. One important exception: if you take even one in-person class per term, you generally qualify for the full campus rate instead of the online rate.
Do I get MHA if I am enrolled part-time?
Only if your rate of pursuit is more than 50%. At half-time or below, no MHA is payable. Above half-time, your payment is prorated: at 80% enrollment you receive 80% of your tier-adjusted rate.
Does my MHA change when BAH rates change?
BAH changes every January 1, but your GI Bill MHA only updates at the start of the academic year, August 1. If BAH drops in your area, your MHA is protected and won't decrease unless you change schools or have a break in training longer than six months.
Do active-duty service members get MHA?
No. Service members on active duty, and spouses using transferred benefits while the sponsor is still serving, are not eligible for the monthly housing allowance. (Tuition and the books stipend are still payable.)
When do MHA payments arrive?
At the end of each month, for the previous month's enrollment. So the higher rate for the new academic year starting August 1 shows up in your September payment.
Guides
The $1,261 online rate vs the full campus rate, and the scheduling trick distance learners use.
What 80% vs 100% enrollment actually costs you per month, plus the half-time cliff to avoid.