Housing Allowance
Students receiving the Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) receive Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) while enrolled in school. This allowance is based on the level of benefit and prorated by days of the month. Students receive payment at the end of each month.
Recent Adjustments
For students in the 2017-18 academic year, the housing allowance rate starting Aug. 1, 2017 has increased to $1,307 per month, pro-rated by days.
For continuing students, housing allowance rates are grandfathered at the monthly rate you received when you started attending the University of Idaho. Your rates will not decrease with the annual BAH cost of living allowance adjustments, but they can increase.
BAH Rates for 2017-18
| Academic Months | Days Enrolled | % of Month Enrolled | BAH Dollars |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2017 | 10 | 33 | $435.67 |
| September-November 2017 | Entire Month | 100 | $1,307.00 |
| December 2017 | 15 | 50 | $653.50 |
| January 2018 | 21 | 70 | $914.90 |
| February-April 2018 | Entire Month | 100 | $1,307.00 |
| May 2018 | 11 | 37 | $479.23 |
How are BAH Rates Calculated?
All rates are based on 100 percent eligibility. To find out how much you should receive each month, multiply the money per month by your percentage. For example, a student at 70 percent eligibility will receive $914.90 for the full fall months. ($1,307.00 x 0.7 = $914.90)
Benefit level may be further reduced based on your rate of pursuit rounded to nearest multiple of 10. Benefits are only payable when the rate of pursuit is more than 50 percent, and the student is not on active duty. (Rate of pursuit = number of credits you’re taking / number of credits that is full-time) For example, for undergrad students, full-time is 12 credits. If a student is taking 10 credits, then 10/12 = .83, and the rate of pursuit is then 80 percent. Graduate students use 9 credits as full-time, and Law School students use 10 credits.
New BAH rates are adjusted annually by federal calendar year, but are applied for GI Bill purposes on Aug. 1 of each year. For VA purposes, all months have 30 days. Law students generally start classes earlier and therefore they'll receive more than the amounts above for August and January.
BAH rates are based on the Department of Defense’s rates for an E-5 with dependents designation for the zip code of your school.
Students Enrolled in Distance Learning Courses
Students enrolled only in distance learning courses will be eligible for a BAH equal to 50 percent of the national average of all rates. Rates will be multiplied by the rate of pursuit rounded to the nearest multiple of 10.
Active Duty Students
Active duty students already receiving BAH do not receive additional BAH as part of their Chapter 33, Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits. They continue to receive BAH for the location where they live.
Questions?
Email the Veterans Assistance Office at [email protected] or call 111-111-7989.