2025-2026 Academic Year (Aug 1, 2025 – Jul 31, 2026) — Official VA.gov Rates
GI Bill Benefits Estimator — 2025-2026
Compare Post-9/11 (Ch. 33), Montgomery GI Bill (Ch. 30), Selected Reserve (Ch. 1606), and DEA (Ch. 35) side-by-side with MHA rates by school ZIP code.
2025–2026 VA Rates
GI Bill Benefits Estimator
Post-9/11 (Ch. 33) · Montgomery AD (Ch. 30) · Selected Reserve (Ch. 1606) · DEA (Ch. 35)
2
chapters
eligible
1
Your Service
Determines which GI Bill chapters you're eligible for.Service Status
Total Active Duty Time (months)
Ch. 33 100% eligibility
2
Your School
School type and location affect tuition coverage and MHA rates.For location-specific MHA
3
Your Benefits
Estimated values based on your inputs. The chapter with the highest total value is highlighted.100%
Post-9/11 Eligibility: 100%
36+ months (or Purple Heart, or 30+ days with SC discharge) — 48 months (1,461 days) of active dutyHighest Estimated Value
Chapter 33
Post-9/11 GI Bill
Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)
$2,338/mo
Est. Total Value
$133,168
Chapter 30
Montgomery GI Bill (Active Duty)
Monthly Payment
$2,185/mo
Est. Total Value
$78,660
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Ch. 33 ★ | Ch. 30 |
|---|---|---|
| Housing / Monthly | $2,338/mo | $2,185/mo |
| MHA | $2,338/mo | — |
| Books & Supplies | $1,000/yr | — |
| Max Months | 36 mo | 36 mo |
| Est. Total Value | $133,168 | $78,660 |
Transfer of Benefits to Spouse / Children
Transfer must be requested while still serving on active duty or in the Selected Reserve.
Data Sources & Methodology
| Post-9/11 GI Bill (Ch. 33) | VA.gov, effective Aug 1, 2025 – Jul 31, 2026. Tuition cap: $29,920.95/yr. MHA: E-5 w/dep BAH rate. Books: up to $1,000/yr. |
| Montgomery GI Bill AD (Ch. 30) | VA.gov FY2026 rates (effective Oct 1, 2025). Full-time: $2,185/mo. |
| Selected Reserve (Ch. 1606) | VA.gov FY2026 rates. Full-time: $445/mo. |
| DEA / Chapter 35 | VA.gov FY2026 rates. Full-time: $1,471/mo. 45 months max. |
| MHA Rates | Based on E-5 with dependents BAH rates from DFAS/DoD. National average ($2,338/mo) used as fallback. Online programs: $1,169/mo (half national avg). |
Post-9/11 GI Bill Eligibility Tiers — 2025-2026
Eligibility percentage is based on total aggregate active duty service time. Higher tiers unlock higher tuition coverage, housing allowance, and book stipends.
| Eligibility | Service Required | Tuition (Private Cap) | MHA (Online) | Books/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% | 36+ months (or Purple Heart, or 30+ days with SC discharge) | $29,920.95/yr | $1,169/mo | $1,000/yr |
| 90% | 30-35 months | $26,928.86/yr | $1,052.1/mo | $900/yr |
| 80% | 24-29 months | $23,936.76/yr | $935.2/mo | $800/yr |
| 70% | 18-23 months | $20,944.67/yr | $818.3/mo | $700/yr |
| 60% | 6-17 months | $17,952.57/yr | $701.4/mo | $600/yr |
| 50% | 90 days to 5 months | $14,960.48/yr | $584.5/mo | $500/yr |
Post-9/11 GI Bill (Ch. 33) Tuition Caps & MHA — 2025-2026
At 100% eligibility. Caps are prorated at lower tiers.
| Category | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Public School Tuition | 100% of in-state tuition & fees | Paid directly to school |
| Private / Foreign / Online / Trade Cap | $29,920.95/yr | Yellow Ribbon may cover the gap |
| Flight Training Cap | $17,097.67/yr | FAA-approved programs only |
| Correspondence Cap | $14,533/yr | No MHA for correspondence |
| MHA — In-Person (national avg) | $2,338/mo | Actual rate = E-5 w/dep BAH for school ZIP |
| MHA — Online Only | $1,169/mo | Flat rate, same nationwide |
| Books & Supplies | Up to $1,000/yr | $41.67/credit hr, max 24 credits/yr |
| Maximum Months | 36 months |
Montgomery GI Bill — Active Duty (Ch. 30) Rates — FY2026
Flat monthly payment sent directly to you. You pay tuition from this amount. Requires 2+ years active duty service. Max 36 months.
| Enrollment | Base Rate | With $600 Buy-Up |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (12+ credits) | $2,185/mo | $2,335/mo |
| Three-Quarter Time (9-11 credits) | $1,638.75/mo | $1,788.75/mo |
| Half-Time (6-8 credits) | $1,092.5/mo | $1,242.5/mo |
| Less Than Half-Time (<6 credits) | $546.25/mo | $696.25/mo |
Montgomery GI Bill — Selected Reserve (Ch. 1606) Rates — FY2026
For Reserve and National Guard members with an active 6-year commitment. Max 36 months.
| Enrollment | Monthly Rate |
|---|---|
| Full-Time (12+ credits) | $445/mo |
| Three-Quarter Time (9-11 credits) | $333/mo |
| Half-Time (6-8 credits) | $222/mo |
| Less Than Half-Time (<6 credits) | $111/mo |
Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA / Ch. 35) Rates — FY2026
For spouses and children of permanently disabled, deceased, or MIA veterans. Max 45 months. Spouses: 10-20 year eligibility window. Children: ages 18-26.
| Enrollment | Monthly Rate |
|---|---|
| Full-Time (12+ credits) | $1,471/mo |
| Three-Quarter Time (9-11 credits) | $1,102/mo |
| Half-Time (6-8 credits) | $733/mo |
GI Bill Chapters Compared — Full-Time Rates 2025-2026
Full-time enrollment at 100% eligibility. Use the calculator above for your specific situation.
| Category | Ch. 33 Post-9/11 | Ch. 30 Montgomery AD | Ch. 1606 Sel. Reserve | Ch. 35 DEA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Housing | Up to $2,338/mo (by ZIP) | — | — | — |
| Monthly Payment | — | $2,185/mo | $445/mo | $1,471/mo |
| Tuition (public) | 100% in-state | From monthly payment | From monthly payment | From monthly payment |
| Tuition (private cap) | $29,920.95/yr | From monthly payment | From monthly payment | From monthly payment |
| Books & Supplies | Up to $1,000/yr | — | — | — |
| Max Months | 36 months | 36 months | 36 months | 45 months |
| Who Qualifies | Veterans / AD (90+ days) | Veterans / AD (2+ years) | Reserve / Guard (6-yr commitment) | Spouse / Dependent |
Understanding Your GI Bill Options
The GI Bill is one of the most valuable benefits earned through military service — but navigating five different chapters with different eligibility rules, payment structures, and benefit amounts is genuinely confusing. This guide covers the key differences so you can make an informed decision.
Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33): The Gold Standard
For most veterans with significant active duty service, the Post-9/11 GI Bill is the most valuable option. Unlike other chapters that pay you a flat monthly rate, Chapter 33 operates on three separate streams: tuition paid directly to the school, a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) paid to you, and a books/supplies stipend. At 100% eligibility, this can mean full tuition coverage at a public university plus $2,000+/month for housing — more than many apartments cost.
The MHA is the most variable part: it equals the E-5 with dependents BAH rate for your school's location. A school near New York City will yield a dramatically higher MHA than one in rural Alabama. Online-only programs receive a flat $1,169/mo nationwide. If you're choosing between schools, the MHA difference alone can be worth thousands of dollars per year.
Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30): When It Makes Sense
The Montgomery GI Bill pays $2,185/month (full-time, FY2026) directly to you — you then pay your own tuition from that amount. For short, inexpensive programs or vocational training where tuition is low, Chapter 30 can occasionally be more flexible. However, for most traditional degree programs, Chapter 33 provides more total value because it covers tuition separately and adds housing on top.
One exception: if you elected the $600 buy-up option at separation, you receive an additional $150/month ($5,400 total over 36 months), making your effective monthly rate $2,335/month. You cannot use Ch. 30 and Ch. 33 simultaneously.
Transferring Benefits to Family Members
Service members with 6+ years can transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to a spouse or children — but only while still serving. Transfer requires committing to 4 more years of service. Once separated, transfer is no longer possible. If you have dependents and intend to use your benefits for family education, request the transfer well before your ETS date.
VA Benefits Eligibility Checker
Find out which VA and military benefits you may qualify for based on your service history.
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