GI Bill Calculator 2026
Calculate your GI Bill education benefits including tuition coverage, monthly housing allowance, and book stipend. Compare Post-9/11 Chapter 33 vs Montgomery Chapter 30 benefits. Everything runs in your browser — no data is stored or sent to any server.
How the GI Bill Calculator Works
The GI Bill provides education benefits to eligible veterans, service members, and their dependents. This calculator estimates your benefits under both the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) and the Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30), so you can compare which option provides greater value for your situation. Benefits vary based on your eligibility percentage, school type, tuition costs, and location.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is generally the more valuable benefit, offering tuition and fees coverage, a monthly housing allowance based on E-5 BAH rates, and a book stipend. The Montgomery GI Bill provides a flat monthly payment regardless of school costs. Both provide up to 36 months of benefits, and this calculator projects your total benefit value based on your remaining eligibility.
Post-9/11 vs Montgomery GI Bill
The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) pays tuition directly to the school up to the private school cap of $28,937.94 per year for 2026. For public schools, it covers the full in-state tuition regardless of amount. Additionally, it provides a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) equal to the E-5 with dependents BAH rate for your school's ZIP code, plus a $1,000 annual book and supplies stipend.
The Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) pays a flat monthly rate of $2,190 for full-time students in 2026. This amount goes directly to you, not the school, giving you more flexibility. However, it requires a $1,200 buy-in during active duty and generally provides less total value than the Post-9/11 GI Bill for most schools.
Maximizing Your GI Bill Benefits
- Yellow Ribbon Program — many private schools participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program to cover tuition above the Post-9/11 cap.
- Use during expensive semesters — GI Bill counts months, not dollars. Use it for your most expensive semesters.
- Consider online vs in-person — MHA for online-only programs is reduced to 50% of the national average BAH.
- Transfer to dependents — Post-9/11 GI Bill can be transferred to spouse or children with qualifying service.
- Combine with scholarships — scholarships can reduce your tuition, stretching your GI Bill months further.
Eligibility Requirements
Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility ranges from 40% to 100% based on your total active duty service after September 10, 2001. You need at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service (excluding training) to qualify for 40%, and 36 months or more for 100%. The Montgomery GI Bill requires at least 2 years of active duty service and a $1,200 buy-in. Both benefits expire 15 years after your last discharge date, though the Forever GI Bill removed this time limit for service members discharged on or after January 1, 2013.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Post-9/11 or Montgomery GI Bill?
For most veterans, the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) provides significantly more value because it covers tuition directly, provides a monthly housing allowance, and includes a book stipend. The Montgomery GI Bill may be better only in rare cases where the flat monthly payment exceeds the combined Post-9/11 benefits, typically for very low-cost schools.
What is the 2026 Post-9/11 GI Bill private school cap?
The 2026 maximum tuition and fees payable under the Post-9/11 GI Bill for private and foreign schools is $28,937.94 per academic year. Public school students receive full in-state tuition coverage regardless of amount. The Yellow Ribbon Program can cover costs above this cap at participating private schools.
How is the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) calculated?
The MHA is based on the E-5 with dependents Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate for the ZIP code of your school campus. The national average is approximately $1,800/month. Online-only students receive 50% of the national average. MHA is prorated based on your benefit percentage level.
Can I transfer my GI Bill to my spouse or children?
Yes, the Post-9/11 GI Bill can be transferred to dependents if you have at least 6 years of service and commit to 4 additional years. The Montgomery GI Bill cannot be transferred. Transferred benefits must be used within 15 years of the service member's last discharge (or by the dependent's 26th birthday for children).
Do GI Bill benefits expire?
Under the Forever GI Bill, Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits do not expire for service members discharged on or after January 1, 2013. For those discharged before that date, benefits must be used within 15 years of discharge. Montgomery GI Bill benefits expire 10 years after discharge.
What is the book stipend amount?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides up to $1,000 per academic year as a books and supplies stipend, paid proportionally to the student. This amount is prorated based on your benefit percentage level. The Montgomery GI Bill does not include a separate book stipend.