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Veteran standing in front of 1 Pace Plaza in NYC.

Monthly Housing Allowance

In accordance with the Colmery Act (Public Law 115-48), the VA calculate the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) under the Post-9/11 GI Bill (CH33) based on the location of the campus where the individual physically attends the majority of their classes. A student’s MHA will no longer be based on the zip code of the main campus. It will be based on the zip code where the student is physically attending.

The following examples of calculations have been provided by the Department of Veteran Affairs to guide colleges/universities and students as to expect effective August 1, 2018:

Payment Scenario: Different Campuses

  • A student is taking 3 credits at the New York City campus (Zip Code: 10038)
  • The student is also taking 9 credits at the Pleasantville campus (Zip Code: 10570)
    This student would be paid at the MHA rate of the Pleasantville campus.

Payment Scenario: Equal Credits on Different Campuses

  • A student is taking 6 credits at the New York City campus (Zip Code: 10038)
  • The student is also taking 6 credits at the Pleasantville campus (Zip Code: 10570)
  • When a student is taking an equal number of classes at two locations, the VA will pay the higher MHA rate.
    This student would be paid at the MHA rate of the New York City campus.

Payment Scenario: Change in Credits

  • A student is taking 9 credits at the New York City campus (Zip Code: 10038)
  • The student is also taking 9 credits at the Pleasantville campus (Zip Code: 10570)
  • When a student is taking an equal number of classes at two locations, the VA will pay the higher
    This student would be paid at the MHA rate of the New York City campus
  • In the middle of the semester the student drops/withdraws from 3 credits at the New York City campus
    Effective the date of the drop/withdrawal, the student would be paid the MHA rate of the Pleasantville campus.

Payment Scenario: Different Campuses + Online Courses

  • A student is taking 3 credits at the New York City campus (Zip Code: 10038)
  • The student is also taking 3 credits at the Pleasantville campus (Zip Code: 10570)
  • The student is also taking 6 credits online (MHA rate: $840.50)
    NOTE: MHA rate is based on the physical attendance. If a student is taking at least one credit in-residence, they will received the in-residence MHA rate and not the online training rate.
    This student would be paid at the MHA rate of the New York City campus.

For questions regarding your basic allowance for housing payments, please contact the VA Education Call Center at 1 (888) 442-4551. Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ does not prepare those calculations.