Is the Post-9/11 GI Bill Monthly Housing Allowance Treated the Same As the Basic Allowance For Housing In the Cost Of Attendance?

No, a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) is not treated the same as the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) in determining a student’s cost of attendance (COA).

In reference back to the statute defining COA, Section 472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended, [20 USC 1087LL], an allowance must be made for “a student living in housing located on a military base or for which a basic allowance is provided under section 403(b) of title 37, a standard allowance for food based upon such student's choice of purchasing food on-campus or off-campus (determined respectively in accordance with subparagraph (A) or (B)), but not for housing costs;"

BAH is provided for active duty military personnel, while the MHA is awarded to veterans, as authorized under title 38 of the United States Code.

BAH benefits provided to active duty students should not be confused with the MHA benefits provided to veterans under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Additional information regarding the MHA benefits and other benefits available to veterans utilizing the Post-9/11 GI Bill can be found at the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs website.

Note: Effective with the 2023-24 award year, the COA component for “room and board” has been renamed "living expenses." "Room" has been renamed "housing" and "board" has been renamed "food."