The Department of Veterans Affairs has recently updated the online GI Bill Calculator. Now it is easier than ever for veterans to find out how much money they will get paid when they use the Post 9/11 GI Bill (also known as Chapter 33).
The calculator breaks down benefits into Tuition & Fees, Housing Allowance, and Book Stipend. Veterans need to select a school, their eligibility status, military status, and whether or not they are taking all online classes.
Additionally, it gives veteran specific information about the particular school as well as other general information such as graduation rates, loan default rates, median borrowing amounts, etc.
Users of the calculator should note that these amounts are simply estimates. According to the VA website, “The results of the GI Bill benefits calculator are not an official determination of benefits.”
Users should also note that the VA had to make several assumptions in order to make this calculator user-friendly:
- Semesters are 4.5 months long and quarters are 3 months long;
- Students are maintaining their enrollment status the full year (not full-time one term and part-time the next);
- Full time students are taking 12 credits per term;
- Students are not enrolling in a summer term, and
- Rates are rounded to the nearest dollar
Veterans who elect to use the Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) or other VA education benefits can find the current benefit amounts here.
