Does The Montgomery GI Bill Pay For Housing?

The Montgomery GI Bill is one of the most popular education benefits offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). However, one common question many veterans ask is – does the Montgomery GI Bill pay for housing while going to school?

The short answer is no, the Montgomery GI Bill does not directly pay for housing expenses like rent or mortgages However, the Montgomery GI Bill does provide a monthly stipend that can be used to cover housing costs. Let’s take a closer look at how housing benefits work with the Montgomery GI Bill.

Overview of the Montgomery GI Bill

First, let’s provide some background on the Montgomery GI Bill Officially known as the Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty (MGIB-AD), this program provides education benefits to veterans who enlisted in the military and contributed $100 per month for 12 months during their first year of service.

In return, veterans are entitled to receive a monthly education benefit payment once they have completed their minimum service obligation. The amount of the monthly payment depends on several factors like time served, education level, and training hours.

The Montgomery GI Bill is administered by the VA and has helped millions of veterans pursue college degrees, vocational training, and other education programs.

Does the Monthly Payment Cover Housing?

The simple answer is no – the Montgomery GI Bill does not directly pay for a veteran’s housing, rent, or mortgage.

However, the monthly education benefit payment can be used to cover housing costs while attending school. Here are some key points:

The monthly payment is sent directly to the veteran as a stipend. How those funds are used is up to the discretion of the veteran.
For 2022, the full-time monthly payment rate ranges from $1,857 – $2,150 depending on active duty service length.
This stipend is intended to help cover education expenses, which for many veterans includes housing costs like rent.
The benefit is paid monthly after verification of enrollment, allowing veterans flexibility in allocating funds.
Housing expenses like rent, room and board, and mortgages can all be covered if the veteran choses to put funds towards housing.

Using the Monthly Payment for Housing

Many student veterans rely on the Montgomery GI Bill monthly payment to help cover housing costs. Here are some ways the stipend can be used:

Pay rent – For veterans renting an apartment or house, the monthly stipend can simply be put towards the rent payment. This may cover full or partial rent depending on the payment amount.
Pay a mortgage – For veterans who own a home, the stipend can be used to make monthly mortgage payments. This can lower mortgage bills during school.
Live on campus – Student veterans living in campus housing can use the payment to cover room and board fees charged by the university.
Split costs with roommates – Veterans sharing housing can use the stipend to pay their portion of shared rent and utility bills.
Pay for school-sponsored housing – Some universities offer school-sponsored apartment complexes for graduate students. The stipend can help cover this type of university housing.
Pay utilities – The monthly funds can also be used to cover utility bills like electricity, gas, water, internet, etc.

Overall, the flexibility of the monthly payment allows veterans to decide if they will put some or all of the funds towards housing expenses while enrolled in school.

Comparison to the Post 9/11 GI Bill Housing Allowance

A common source of confusion is the difference in housing benefits between the Montgomery GI Bill and the newer Post 9/11 GI Bill. Unlike the Montgomery GI Bill, the Post 9/11 GI Bill offers a Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) specifically for housing expenses.

Here are some key differences:

The Post 9/11 GI Bill BAH payment amount is based on the military’s rental housing rates for each area. The Montgomery GI Bill payment is a fixed monthly amount.
The BAH is paid directly to the veteran on top of the tuition and fees payment. The Montgomery stipend combines tuition and living expenses into one payment.
The BAH varies by location; veterans going to school in higher cost areas get more. The Montgomery GI Bill payment is the same regardless of school location.
The Post 9/11 BAH requires veterans to be enrolled more than half-time. The Montgomery GI Bill just requires enrollment in an approved program.

Can the Montgomery GI Bill Cover All Housing Costs?

Whether the Montgomery GI Bill stipend can fully cover housing costs depends on several factors:

The monthly payment amount – This ranges from $1,857 – $2,150 in 2022 depending on active duty time.
The veteran’s actual housing costs – Rent, mortgages, and utility rates vary greatly by location. High cost cities will be challenging.
The enrollment level – Full-time students get the full housing rate. Half-time or less drops the payment.
Active duty service length – Longer service results in higher payment rates.
Buy-up contributions – Some service members choose to contribute up to $600 extra to increase benefits.

In expensive housing markets, the standard Montgomery GI Bill benefit may only cover a portion of total housing expenses. However, the payments can still offset costs. Veterans in lower cost areas may find their housing fully covered.

Overall, the monthly payments provide helpful housing assistance during school, but likely won’t cover 100% of expenses in many locations.

Strategies to Supplement Housing Costs

Since the Montgomery GI Bill may not cover the full amount of housing expenses, many veterans pursue additional income sources to close the gap. Here are some options:

Apply for financial aid and scholarships – Grants, scholarships, work study programs, and federal student loans can all provide extra funding.
Pick up a part-time job – Working 10-15 hours per week can generate needed income to pay remaining housing bills.
Use savings – For veterans with some savings built up, this reserve can temporarily fund any housing shortfalls.
Take out a private student loan – While not ideal, private student loans can provide financing to cover any gaps in living expenses.
Find a roommate – Splitting housing costs with a roommate allows veterans to reduce their portion of rent and utility bills.
Rent out a room – Veterans who own a home can generate rental income by letting out a room to a tenant.
Investigate housing subsidies – Some non-profits offer housing vouchers to student veterans in need. Reach out to the university veteran office for assistance.

With proper planning and budgeting, most veterans can figure out how to align housing costs with their Montgomery GI Bill benefits. It just may require being flexible and pursuing supplemental funding sources.

Can I Use the Payment for Other Costs?

Because the Montgomery GI Bill provides a monthly stipend, veterans can use the funds for any education-related costs, not just housing. Some other common expenses the payments go towards include:

Tuition and fees – If not fully covered by the benefit, veterans can use some of the stipend for direct university charges.
Textbooks and supplies – These essential education materials can be expensive. The stipend helps offset costs.
Transportation – Payments for public transportation, gas, parking permits, etc. can be covered.
Dependent childcare – Veterans with children sometimes use funds to pay for childcare during classes.
Food and groceries – Money is often allotted for food purchases and dining out.
Technology – Funds help cover new laptops, tablets, printers, and other tech gear needed for school.
Personal expenses – Car repairs, clothing, entertainment, and other personal spending is permitted.

Overall, veterans have great flexibility in how they use the Montgomery GI Bill payments. Housing tends to be the largest expense for many student veterans.

The Montgomery GI Bill provides vital education funding for thousands of former military members each year. While it does not pay for housing directly, the monthly stipend gives veterans a source of income that can be used to cover housing expenses like rent, mortgages, and utilities.

This housing allowance can supplement funds from other sources like financial aid and part-time work. Overall, the Montgomery GI Bill gives veterans a helpful leg up in meeting the full costs of education and training programs. With proper planning, most veterans find the Montgomery GI Bill provides sufficient resources for both tuition and housing needs while enrolled in school and completing their degrees.

Does The Montgomery Gi Bill Pay For Housing

For on-the-job training and apprenticeships

This is how much we’ll pay you each month based on how far along you are in your training:

Months 1 to 6: $1,768.50 for each full month
Months 7 to 12: $1,296.90 for each full month
After the first year: $825.30 for each full month

Note: To get the full amount listed here, you must have worked at least 120 hours each month. As your payments go down, your entitlement charges also go down.

We’ll pay 55% of the established cost for the number of lessons you complete by mail, online, or in some other way. You’ll need to submit completed lessons to get these payments.

We’ll pay for 60% of the approved charges.

For institutions of higher learning

These monthly rates are for courses at colleges and universities.

The amounts listed here are for a full month of enrollment. We’ll pay you a percentage of the full month’s rate based on the number of days that you’re enrolled in the month. We call this a prorated payment. For example, if your school starts on the 20th, you would get a payment for 10 days of enrollment that month. 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: $2,358.00 for each full month
3/4-time enrollment: $1,768.50 for each full month
1/2-time enrollment: $1,179.00 for each full month

If you’re enrolled less than 1/2 time, we’ll pay you up to the amount listed here for every month you’re enrolled—but no more than the cost of your tuition and fees:

Less than 1/2-time and more than 1/4-time enrollment: $1,179.00 for each full month (or the cost of your tuition and fees, whichever is less)
1/4-time enrollment or less: $589.50 for each full month (or the cost of your tuition and fees, whichever is less)

If your tuition and fees are less than the monthly rate, we’ll send you a lump sum (1 payment) at the start of each term.

Example: If you’re enrolled less than 1/2 time and more than 1/4 time, and you attend a 90-day term, you may get up to $3,537 for the term ($1,179 per month x 3). But if your tuition and fees are less than $3,537, then we’ll send you the amount of your tuition and fees at the start of the term instead.

You may be able to get in-state tuition rates at a public school even if you haven’t lived in the state where the school is located.

GI Bill Housing Allowance Explained (BAH)

How much is the Montgomery GI Bill?

The Montgomery GI Bill is an education benefit worth over $84,000. This amount is based on the 2023-2024 monthly full-time student payment rate of $2,358 multiplied by the 36-month limit. This “payment rate” automatically increases each Oct. 1. You get the annual increase no matter when you became eligible or begin using it.

How does Montgomery GI Bill work?

If you’re using the Montgomery GI Bill or Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA/Chapter 35), you just get one standard payment for all your benefits paid directly to you. housing payments decrease in standard amounts over the length of their job contract. Housing rates may also change from year to year in August.

What is the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)?

The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) is available to those who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces. There are two main programs: Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) For active duty members who enroll and pay $100 per month for 12 months and are then entitled to receive a monthly education benefit once they have completed a minimum service obligation.

How do I apply for Montgomery GI Bill benefits?

Enroll in school, and verify that the school submits your enrollment information to VA. You first can apply for your Montgomery GI Bill benefit without being enrolled in school, and in many cases, this is best. When you choose a school, you can take your eligibility notification from VA to your school when you enroll.