Understanding Post 9/11 GI Bill Payment Dates

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is an incredibly generous education benefit for veterans and servicemembers who served after September 10, 2001. With this benefit, the VA pays for tuition and fees, provides a monthly housing allowance, and gives a stipend for textbooks and supplies. However, to fully utilize this benefit, it’s important to understand when you’ll receive payments. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about Post 9/11 GI Bill pay dates.

How the Post-9/11 GI Bill Works

Before diving into payment dates, let’s review how the Post-9/11 GI Bill works. The benefit has several components:

• Tuition and Fees: The VA pays up to the full cost of in-state tuition and fees at public schools. For private schools and out-of-state charges, there are annual caps set by the VA.

• Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA): You receive a monthly stipend equal to the military’s Basic Allowance for Housing rate for an E-5 with dependents. This is based on the location of your school.

• Book and Supply Stipend: You get up to $1,000 per year for books and supplies.

• Rural Benefit: If you move from a rural area, you can get a one-time $500 payment.

• Yellow Ribbon If tuition and fees exceed the VA caps, your school can help cover the difference

Your percentage of Post-9/11 benefits, determined by your length of service, dictates how much you receive for tuition, fees, and the MHA.

VA Payments for Tuition and Fees

For tuition and fees, the VA sends payments directly to your school after verifying your enrollment. The timing works as follows

• You submit your semester schedule to the VA.

• The VA verifies your enrollment and eligible charges with your school.

• The VA sends payment for tuition and fees to your school shortly before or after the start of term.

So you don’t have to worry about making tuition payments upfront or waiting to be reimbursed. The VA coordinates with your school on billing and payment.

Book and Supply Stipend Payment Dates

You receive the $1,000 annual book and supply stipend as follows:

• $500 when your term starts
• $500 halfway through your term

The specific payment dates depend on the length of your term:

• Quarters: Paid the first week and midpoint of each quarter

• Semesters: Paid initially and at week 8 of each semester

• Nontraditional terms: Paid at first third and before final third of your term

• Less than half-time: Single payment for the entire term

For example, if your semester begins January 10th, you’ll receive $500 during the first week of January and another $500 around mid-March.

Keep in mind you only get the full $1,000 per year if you attend full-time. The stipend decreases if you attend less than full-time.

Monthly Housing Allowance Payment Dates

The monthly housing allowance (MHA) operates differently than tuition and the book stipend. Here are key points on MHA payment timing:

• Paid monthly – You receive the MHA each month you’re enrolled, rather than lump sums at the start and midpoint.

• Prorated for partial months – Your payment depends on how many days of the month you’re enrolled. If your term ends May 15th, you’ll get a partial MHA payment for 15 days of May.

• Requires enrollment verification – To receive MHA payments, you must verify your enrollment monthly or risk delays/non-payment.

• Deposited at the start of each month – The VA issues MHA payments on the 1st of the month for the upcoming month. For example, your March payment comes on February 1st.

Let’s walk through some examples to illustrate how MHA payments work:

Example 1

• Your semester begins January 10th and ends May 15th.

• In February, you’ll receive a full monthly housing allowance. This MHA payment is issued on January 1st.

• In May, you’ll receive a partial MHA payment for 15 days since your term ends on the 15th. This comes on April 1st.

Example 2

• Your semester begins August 20th and you verify enrollment.

• You won’t receive any MHA for August since the term started after the August 1st payment date.

• In September, you’ll get a prorated MHA for 12 days in August. This comes on the September 1st payment.

Example 3

• You take a 2 week break between semesters from December 20th to January 10th.

• You won’t get a MHA payment for January since you weren’t enrolled the entire month. The January MHA is issued December 1st.

The key takeaway is that you need to verify enrollment every month to receive an MHA payment at the start of the next month.

How to Check Post-9/11 GI Bill Payment Dates

You can confirm exactly when you’ll receive Post-9/11 payments using two VA tools:

1. GI Bill Comparison Tool – This provides an estimate of your MHA and book stipend payments based on your specific dates.

2. Wave Chart – This shows the anticipated payment dates for terms you’ve certified based on the processing date.

Let’s take a closer look at both tools:

GI Bill Comparison Tool

The GI Bill Comparison Tool at www.va.gov allows you to estimate your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. When you enter your school, degree program, and term dates, it will show:

• Estimated tuition and fee payment amounts
• Monthly MHA payments with exact dates
• Book and supply stipend payment dates

This gives you an overview of when each payment will be issued based on your details. Refer to the tool whenever your dates change to recalculate payment timing.

Wave Chart

After you submit your enrollment certification to the VA, your school receives a “Transaction Date” for when it was processed. The Wave Chart shows the anticipated payment date based on that transaction date.

For example, if your transaction date is May 5th, the chart shows your payment will be issued on May 14th. The chart is available at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/wavechart.asp and updated monthly.

Steps to Avoid Post-9/11 GI Bill Payment Delays

While the above tools allow you to estimate payment timing, it’s important to avoid delays in receiving your benefits. Follow these tips:

• Verify enrollment ASAP each month – This triggers MHA payments. Use the VA’s text message or smartphone app verification options for convenience.

• Report changes immediately – If your enrollment changes, notify your school’s VA certifying official to avoid overpayments or underpayments.

• Provide needed documents promptly – Respond quickly if the VA requests any paperwork, like a parental verification letter when using transferred benefits.

• Maintain passing grades – You can’t use Post-9/11 benefits for failed or withdrawn courses. Meet with an advisor if you’re struggling academically.

• Request veterans in-state tuition – Work with your school’s veterans office to get in-state rates if you qualify. This allows the VA to cover more tuition and fees.

• Apply for financial aid – Grants, scholarships, work-study wages can help supplement your benefits.

Receive the Full Value of Your Benefits

As you can see, the Post-9/11 GI Bill is an amazing deal for veterans and servicemembers. Staying on top of payment timelines and avoiding delays allows you to maximize the value. Refer back to this guide anytime you have questions surrounding GI Bill pay dates or payments. And be sure to use the GI Bill Comparison Tool and Wave Chart to estimate deposits. This will help you manage your finances while earning your degree.