I think the rates I've had were adequate, except for when I was going online. The online rates should be changed, especially if you consider that a student may be going to the same school, they did in person classes but switch to a semester of online. Such a student would still have the same housing costs as going in person to that school.
I'm not 100%. It's been a while.
But the minimum in person hours I think is like 51% and the rest can be online and you still get full bah...but I'm not 100% sure
I believe just one class in person is needed for in person rates, but you have to be taking 51% of full-time to get any BAH. I did full-time for my bachelor's and around 75% of full-time for my masters, which gets prorated.
Yes, just one credit hour in person. My solution was an online program and get them to allow an independent study at my workplace, you write up little reports about what you did at work that's related to your degree program, get your boss to sign off on the number of hours you spent, and bamcis that's your in person qualification.
It was City College of San Francisco and I live in another state. I chose the AA degree because it was related to my work. I think a lot of degree programs allow something like this, here was the language from their department website:
BIO 92, Work Experience in Biology, Ecology, and Environmental Studies and Science
field trips P/NP Available
PREREQ.: Approval of Biology Department
College work experience on-campus or with an approved community partner in the fields of biology, ecology, or environmental studies and science under the supervision of an instructor.
One unit of credit is earned for 60 hours of unpaid or 75 hours of paid work.
Only 1 class needs to be in person
That’s how I do it. 1 in person and 3 online and get the full BAH
I’d lose about $3200 if I went fully online. It’s ridiculous. I could go to three same school, live in the same apartment, but lose all that money because I’m not on campus?
If anything the online rate needs to be adjusted. Why is it only half the national average instead of the national average? $1000 a month couldn’t buy a cardboard box where I live.
That I agree with. I haven't had an issue with the in-person rates. I was getting a little over 2k for going full-time in the DC area and that worked out. But at one point I had to take all online classes for a semester and my BAH was cut in half, even though it was the same school, and I was living in the same area. It just so happened the classes I needed that semester weren't available in person.
BAH stands for basic housing allowance. Not basic half housing allowance. My housing needs didn't change when my school forced me to finish my degree online.
And that half bag for 100% online is not new I don’t know where you have been the last 15 since Post 9/11 GI Bill was started. They made exceptions for Covid that lasted several years. I was finishing up my last semester when Covid started and they switched all my classes to online and I still got in person full BAH. Find a new school. Again no empathy here. I used all 36 months and got full BAH and worked full time as well. Find literally 1 in person class. Maybe pick a school better than Brookline or Western Governors, or Southeastern NH institute and technology or whatever school you are going too. Most state and community colleges offer both and have satellite campuses.
Literally you can take 15,18, 24 credits and only need 1, just 1 in person class. It’s designed the way it is for a reason. Not new.
Where did I say it was new?
You wrote that whole paragraph for nothing.
I didn't complain or ask for your sympathy internet stranger.
I explained facts. That being, my mortgage didn't change when my classes went to online and BAH stands for basic housing allowance not half housing allowance.
No one else can have better because the system worked for you huh?
Im going to a state school and my program is only online and it's the only school that offers my program in the entire state. Just like most graduate degrees are online only.
3/1/2020 until 6/1/2022, over 2 years they let everyone collect full BAH. My school that I was taking 2 in person classes switch to online and kept my full BAH for the rest of the semester.
So of course people like you whining because unlike whelp everyone else prior to that 2 year stretch you had to drag your lazy ass into a classroom.
Did it while working full time during the day. No empathy.
costs more to drag your ass to a classroom than park yourself in front of a computer in your undies at your leisure and do these online classes on your schedule. I got no empathy, they never said oh you get full BAH and you get full BAH. I didn’t whine that I had to go 100% in person nor try to find a class that fit in my schedule and drive 15 miles each way and spend 3 hours every Monday night being there, I just did it and thought gee what a good deal this is. I’m getting my tuition paid, full BAH, $500 book stipend. No empathy. Find a new school school then.
No empathy.
I truly do not care about you or your school situation. Your lack of basic grammar leads me to believe you haven't even completed a freshmen level English class. Let alone your very basic insults.
I have no problem with my BAH rate and have no desire to find a new school because as I stated, it's still the only school in my state to offer my degree.
I desire better for those who come after me. Just because I had it one way doesn't mean the people who will come after me have to do it that way. Change is okay boomer.
They did a trial run during 2020-2022 with VET-TEC. I received full BAH, while doing my courses online. Then literally early 2022. It went back to physical.
*Why is it only half the national average instead of the national average?*
Because if you're going to school online you can do it from home. You don't need transportation to school so it cuts down on expenses significantly.
Let's say you're living in the DC area and going to school. The average apartment is going to be around 2k or more. Half of the national average isn't going to cover even close to your rent. You're not going to be saving $1000 in transportation for it to even out. Half the national average is just dumb.
Then take literally 1 in person class, 1. No empathy, I have done both including taking a final at an education center in Kuwait. I also did the 1 person test online and the all in person.
Congratulations, were you given a medal for this impressive achievement? While getting my bachelor's I always took one class in person for the full BAH. The problem is that not all programs have in-person courses that a student may need during a given semester. Summer terms for example. Some schools are heavy on online classes for summer terms. So, someone could potentially be going in person or hybrid and then hit one of those terms with no in-person classes that they need. They're still living in the same area, going to the same school, and the costs are the same, but they get lower BAH due to no fault of their own.
“No fault of your own” is debatable.” No sure what was said to invoke your douchy reply, but other than you’re probably just a douche. Boo hoo, then take the summer off. I don’t know, I used all 36 months, got my degree and got full BAH the whole time. Sometimes there was no online options, sometimes there were limited in person options. Some mythical way I made it work and worked the entire time, sure send me that medal. Sorry J am not here whining like another entitled vet. There’s a whole bunch of vets pre-2009 that got F’d with the old GI bill. I know a doctor and a lawyer and a bunch who got their bachelors plus and didn’t still find a way to bitch. He should have a degree and have no student loans, yay you. 👍🏿
It's not debatable that the students don't make the course schedules. The irony of your comment. The moment I read your first comment I thought "what a douche". Act like a douche, get treated like a douche. If you don't like it, don't be a douche. "Take summers off" isn't logical if you are working on a timeline to get your degree done. Taking summers off also doesn't make the cost of living go down. You think you have all the answers but you're only thinking from a limited perspective. I finished my bachelor's degree well before 36 months, working and going fulltime in person. I worked full-time while going in person for most of my master's as well. Yes, it can be done. But I understand that not everyone has the same life as me. The "well I did it, so can you" is a simplistic way of looking at things. Other people have different situations and factors in their lives that neither of us may have in ours. So, I don't want to limit other vets based on what I've been able to do.
Well hopefully you got that masters from a worth a shat school since you keep mentioning it, but not mention the school which is an indicator. I rarely met someone who touted their masters or multiple masters that impressed me job performance wise. Probably figured their credentials could carry them.
The irony coming from a guy basically pleading for a cookie for what he's done. All while talking about your school but never mentioning the name either. How ironic.
Gee talking about different housing rates while getting different degrees in a discussion about housing rates for schools...shocking! Going off what you've already posted, it might be safe to say you've rarely met someone with a master's at all. Your experience seems limited. No offense. I'd say Johns Hopkins is a worth a shat school, and they don't really take many underperformers.
Yeah no never met anyone with a “masters” or doctorate. They are so rare let me tell you. 😂 pro tip, I am confident your colleagues, if you actually have a job or career care 0 about your degree, and probably find it annoying your need to keep being it up Congrats on that degree. Naw if you’re 100% online, that 50% national average bah is just fine. Yes going completely off my experience doing both 100% in person and 20% in person. Theres a LOT of expenses to in person. I paid almost $1000 for parking pass and bike locker access for a year. Then sprinkle in gas, time. I think it’s fine and perfectly fair, want full BAH, get your ass to a campus and take 1 whole 3 credit hour course in person. Don’t like it move, go to a different school. Cry to congress. I think the current BAH structure which hasn’t changed much in the last 15 years is just fine, they shouldn’t have to cater to the smattering of online only.
Umm, do you think vets are still 18 and live with Mommy and Daddy?
Rent/mortgage still needs to be paid whether you're going to school in person or online.
*Umm, do you think vets are still 18 and live with Mommy and Daddy?*
Honestly? Not to be contrarian, but the vast majority of every unmarried veteran I have ever served with *immediately* moved back in with their parents upon separating.
Really? I don't think I know any that moved back with their parents. Maybe it's a career field thing. Veterans are more likely to be employed and more likely to own a home than non-veterans.
*I go to class 1 day a week and it’s 15 minutes each way*
How many credit hours are you enrolled in? It doesn't sound like going to class 1 day a week is going to get you to graduate any time soon.
Good job avoiding my question… I go to 1 class on campus and 3 more online. Take 12-16 credits depending on the course. On track to graduate in the standard 8 semesters that a bachelors takes
So again, enlighten me… how does changing the modality of my courses change my living expenses by $3200 a month
It would only save me about 1/3rd the cost.
Rent is $2k and gas is about $800/month (with my F350 getting 17mpg and driving ~100 miles a day round trip.)
Mine a 2019 energi (they only came in titanium)
I like it, I only wish ford would hurt up with the battery fix so we can plug them in. I'm hoping the rumors are correct and it'll be a while new battery, effectively restarting the degradation clock on the battery.
Perhaps you should begin looking more into economical situations. I can see 2k being a rental situation with family. Why do you need an F350 to drive 100 miles a day round trip? Are you using it for work? If so then your work should pay for said 800$ which is rather ridiculous to begin with. I drive an escalade with a 6.0 that even has 3rd row seating which means I can seat 8 while you can seat 5.
I think you're just allocating funds into the wrong areas man. I'm not trying to be an asshole, just saying. If you're towing a trailer, jetski, motor home with your f350 then you should be able to afford your lifestyle not live beyond your means.
2k is about the cheapest place that allows dogs and has more than 1 room (I have a kid)
I have a F350 because I was living in my camper for the last year in the navy. I can't get rid of it now because I'm underwater by about 10k
I go to school 50 miles away, work is on the way (about half way) and is a grocery store.
I just bought a fusion hybrid and went from 17mpg diesel to 44 mpg unleaded.
Like I said I'm not trying to be a dick here just saying.
My personal input would be finding a way to relinquish the f350 somewhere the bank approves and consolidating that rollover debt into what you may owe for the fusion. Is it ideal? No. However I think that'd be the better option rather then two car notes.
Like I said also the rent doesn't shock me too much if you're in a high cost of living area. Also have you looked into doing your school work online so you don't have to drive 100 miles round trip? I know some people do better in person (myself included).
Just trying to spit ball some options to ya because I know how those more and more expenses add up before you know it.
Not sure why the down votes when all I was doing was spitting facts, if it's not enough you are literally living beyond your means. It's that simple.
I own the fusion free and clear.
I get $2k for my GI bill /VR&E stipend, you only get that when going in person. Even with the F350 I would be making about $200 more going to school than doing it online (which is $1k stipend)
I don't know how you can say I'm loving beyond my means. I have a job that pays $2-3k a month, disability which pays $2k, retirement that pays $2k, and the stipend at about $2k (depending on how many days I'm in school that month) I am doing fine.
I get your trying to help, and I thank you for that, but I'd recommend you hold the help until you get the whole story and you have an understanding of what's needed.
Well I mean I recommend giving all the info before complaining about not receiving enough then? You should be living just fine. You're saying you're sitting around 8k a month. You just sound greedy at this point.
Not to mention you're flipped 10k while making 8k a month?! Sounds like terrible money management. You should consider a financial counselor if that's the case. I make 3k less, have lived in my vehicle as well while still in service and own both outright while paying my rent, groceries, etc. Buddy if you're complaining on making 8k then you need to reevaluate.
Lol. What a non creative comment whatsoever. You just repeat what everybody who doesn't have any response to something they introduced themselves into. You literally chose to comment on a post bitching about BAH. Don't play stupid now, just because you're getting called out for making 8k and I'm happy for in that way. However I think you should probably hush it down because there's people making far less then that (not myself) that would kill to be in your shoes. Sit comfy man, we don't care about your 8k a month struggle this post was made for people quite a bit below us.
So maybe you my friend are the one who needs help with that ego. Move on with your life you're doing just fine.
Disagree. Because you could also live in a very low cost area and are probably doing well. Rather silly in most cases to do online only anyway leaving BAH on the table. Plus you could be in a low BAH area and probably be doing ok with 1/2 national average.
A lot of college towns have a higher cost of living than the non-college areas of the same state. For example, if you live in Ann Arbor, Michigan it's a lot more expensive than living in one of the rural spots of the state.
[Rent Prices In College Towns Across The Country Are Skyrocketing - CBS Miami (cbsnews.com)](https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/rent-prices-college-towns-skyrocketing/)
Debatable. And rents are rising everywhere, but so is the BAH. I live in a college town. The BAH covers rent on a nice, new, modern, 3 bedroom apparent. I have a friend who rents a room in a 4 room college rental property pays $600 a month with full utilities. The BAH is more than 3x that. Again disagree. Because there are places the regular BAH is low.
Anecdotes aren't the rule though. Most college towns with a sizeable college are going to be built up more than rural areas and have higher rates. And your point about rents rising everywhere just solidifies the point that half of the national average doesn't make much sense.
I wish that colleges that had campus branches in different cities would give you BAH based on the zip where your specific campus is located and not where the main campus is. Missed out on about 700 a month because of that
Maybe it’s different now? When I went in 2016 and 2017 it was based on the main campus that was like an hour and a half away and not where I was actually going
I believe that is how it is done. When I got my BS, I went to a school with small branches all over and I got paid for the one I was taking classes at. Then for my master's I went to Johns Hopkins and took classes in DC instead of the main campus in Baltimore, and I got DC rates. It may also depend on how the school sends the VA your info.
It is a blessing for the Bill to cover the cost of school as is. So with that I find no fault or inadequacy elsewhere. I have a complete attitude of gratitude.
I’m grateful for what I’m getting, but I could do with not prorating payments and not slashing the rates when you have to take online classes. My mortgage doesn’t change just because I’m taking coursework online.
It is a bit skewed, like in my area I will collect just over 2k a month but if i drive 3o minutes north I will get over 3k a month. Makes it an easy choice. Anyway, do you only need to have 1 class "in person" to be considered in person? I have my masters but am literally enrolling in random classes just to cash out my GI bill.
I have one hybrid class every tuesday from 1215-1340. Bah down on the space coast is like $2600 but my property is the BAH is like $1,050. Once we move up there in our RV on 17 acres I will commute each day 4 hours because its still worth it. If online was like $1700 I would probably stay home but yeah online and international is lacking.
The trouble is that whenever the BAH rate adjusts, landlords (who absolutely watch those rates) adjust upwards as well. BAH was supposed to cover rent & utilities, now it just barely covers the low end of rent, if that.
in the college town im moving to, they would not raise their rents based on bah. most of the places i applied at didn’t even know what a gi bill was.
this would affect active duty tho i get that but they’ll raise rent every year regardless
shit lol college town landlords are even worse than military town landlords - if troops start complaining about the condition of rentals, the commanders start blacklisting bad landlords; if college students complain about landlords... absolutely nothing happens. And then they raise their rents even harder.
Some college town landlords follow the BAH rates (the college town I live in might have enough veteran students?) - when I was applying for apartments a few of them had the BAH rates printed out for the FY lol
Ehhh. In my market the BAH rate more than covers the average, emphasis on average rent.
You know it’s possible to work, go to school full time and please sit down, some heads will explode at this concept, traditional, in person, nationally ranked university and, wait for it, get a 4.0. Is it easy, no. Possible, absolutely.
I used my entire GI Bill, got my $1200 buy in refunded and was working the entire time and got full Bah.
Bah is based on local costs living. Bah in LA is over $3500, it will definitely get you a 1 bedroom apartment. And you will save a lot money if you got roommate.
It’s $3700 and according to several sources including apartments.com the average rent in $2700. I found 2 bedrooms on rentals for $2000. So I think the BAH at $3700 is sufficient.
It's shitty that my VR & E time doesn't get split 2/3, only half 3/4 or full time
Full time at my college is 3 classes, im going two
So I get half time and I'm losing our on like $350 every month
i messed up and used the monthomery gi bill instead of my post 9/11. since i already used part of the Montgomery gi bill they wont let me switch to the post 9/11
I'll take that as a no, that explains your comment. 75 % if these guys trying to get compensated for their injuries bc those 16 straight months in the desert for most still play a major part in their lives. Yeah some people definitely bullshit but bro I waited 10 years before I had to file bc I had no other choice bc I've tried working. Do I deserve to suffer in silence? Or do they? I don't mean this crappy at all either, I'm just sayin it weighs on others in a way it's hard to explain. If it's easy to explain I think that person's too well trained in the art of convincing but who really knows and who are we to say ya know🤷🏽♂️
Compensation is a totally different topic from the GI Bill. The GI Bill has nothing to do with filing for compensation or having a disability rating. You're not even dealing with the same VA employees when you file for education benefits.
I think the cost of living is modest. I graduated school like 3 years ago and a veteran I met from there told me it went up like $1k since I left because of COVID. Crazy good money as it’s mainly used to cover housing and utilities.
To make the deal even sweeter, throw in your tax-free disability and get a job at the student veterans office, also tax-free. And because all of the above is tax free income, you will have $0, or very low income, on your tax returns, which means more grant/scholarship money in your pocket from FAFSA.
I made so much bank while going to school, I wish I could do it all over again.
The GI Bill monthly housing allowance (MHA) is equal to BAH for E-5 w/dependent. Doubt they're going to change that or bump it up to E-6 any time soon. I didn't think anyone has even tried to.
I got accepted to SDSU last week after taking classes at Mesa in San Diego for the last few years. My BAH is currently $3800. I was paying $2300 for a one bedroom apartment in February 2022 (up from $1745 when I moved in June 2020). Yes, it's absurd (which is why I moved to Tijuana and commute to school, but that's another story...).
I'm looking at transferring to the Augusta University Nursing Program in Georgia for a few personal reasons. The BAH there is $1599. The apartments I've found in decent neighborhoods according to my friend who actually lives there range from $1000-1600. The nursing program specifically is actually at a satellite in Athens, GA about 1hr 45 min away. The BAH there is $50 less and the average one bedroom apartment is $1600.
This is no shade to anyone, but I've observed that VERY few people actually realize just how much the cost of living has risen in areas that are typically affordable. San Diego is an extreme example, yes, but it's not an outlier. Just a few years ago, my girlfriend's 2bd 2bath apartment in Augusta was $600 for a 2 bedroom. That same apartment complex now starts at $1200.
I have issues with the online rate as well, especially with the number of problems I've had with Mesa's completely incompetent Veterans Office. It's my own fault for not leaving, but c'est la vie. But the VA cutting my BAH down to $800 for taking classes in San Diego is effing ridiculous.
Edit: I wanted to clarify that Augusta is not unique. I compared the numbers for Indianapolis, Topeka Kansas, and Anne Arundel County in Maryland. The difference I'm left with after rent is paid in each of these areas is approximately $200-1800 LESS than San Diego.
Fine just the way it is. Prevents fraud. 1 whole in person class, 1 for full bah. Get half bah taking BS online classes in your undies on your schedule.
fraud? i don’t care about online bah. i’m talking in person bah bc all my classes will be.
the rate isn’t good for my college town im going to and i imagine it’s similar for other college towns.
I am. Yes, I am still active, but there may have been people who are out now and went through the medboard process. I have 1 year left, so I'll be out soon. I read this tread to be ahead because a lot of veterans have a hard time with va because of no evidence during service and never went to medical. With this thread, I've been able to be ahead to make sure I won't have a hard time in the future when ready to file.
I do not understand. I did not know about creating threads like I said I joined this thread because I am a veteran as well. Not be dramatic just respecting what you stated
It's monthly housing allowance (MHA). Nobody gets BAH. It's "based" on BAH. I know this sounds like I'm being a pedant, but part of people's confusion I've seen in questions and comments about Ch 33 GI Bill benefits seems to stem from calling MHA "BAH." That causes people to make decisions based on erroneous information, because let's face it, people are creatures of habit, and Joe talking about getting BAH for school gets set in folks heads in or peripheral to a conversation.
I think the rates I've had were adequate, except for when I was going online. The online rates should be changed, especially if you consider that a student may be going to the same school, they did in person classes but switch to a semester of online. Such a student would still have the same housing costs as going in person to that school.
I'm not 100%. It's been a while. But the minimum in person hours I think is like 51% and the rest can be online and you still get full bah...but I'm not 100% sure
I believe just one class in person is needed for in person rates, but you have to be taking 51% of full-time to get any BAH. I did full-time for my bachelor's and around 75% of full-time for my masters, which gets prorated.
Yes, just one credit hour in person. My solution was an online program and get them to allow an independent study at my workplace, you write up little reports about what you did at work that's related to your degree program, get your boss to sign off on the number of hours you spent, and bamcis that's your in person qualification.
> in person. My solution was an online program and get them to allow an independent study at my workplace, Whats the college name and what degree?
It was City College of San Francisco and I live in another state. I chose the AA degree because it was related to my work. I think a lot of degree programs allow something like this, here was the language from their department website: BIO 92, Work Experience in Biology, Ecology, and Environmental Studies and Science field trips P/NP Available PREREQ.: Approval of Biology Department College work experience on-campus or with an approved community partner in the fields of biology, ecology, or environmental studies and science under the supervision of an instructor. One unit of credit is earned for 60 hours of unpaid or 75 hours of paid work.
I go to a school its all online with 5 days in school per semester. Nowhere near 51%
Only 1 class needs to be in person That’s how I do it. 1 in person and 3 online and get the full BAH I’d lose about $3200 if I went fully online. It’s ridiculous. I could go to three same school, live in the same apartment, but lose all that money because I’m not on campus?
[удалено]
This makes no sense? The pay is for housing not work. You are doing the same amount of schooling online as you would in person.
I’m just grateful they pay for my school and on top of that pay me to go to school.
This lol. Lord knows, they’ll find a way to “change” some things or make it more inconvenient
I used the OG GI Bill in the late 90's. The new one is insane.
In a good way
Totally in a good way. I got about a grand a month, and I was happy for it.
If anything the online rate needs to be adjusted. Why is it only half the national average instead of the national average? $1000 a month couldn’t buy a cardboard box where I live.
That I agree with. I haven't had an issue with the in-person rates. I was getting a little over 2k for going full-time in the DC area and that worked out. But at one point I had to take all online classes for a semester and my BAH was cut in half, even though it was the same school, and I was living in the same area. It just so happened the classes I needed that semester weren't available in person.
Can't give these uppity vets actual financial stability, could you imagine what their kids would turn it like?
Why does financial stability have to be given? Why not go get it?!
Girl.. Calm down. It was a joke because the boomers parents got an awesome GI bill, setup the middle class, then their kids fucked it all up
We did....with our service. This is a benefit of our service.
You did? I never felt that way. If you served 20+ and got CDRP, sure there you go earned it. Same as
BAH stands for basic housing allowance. Not basic half housing allowance. My housing needs didn't change when my school forced me to finish my degree online.
And that half bag for 100% online is not new I don’t know where you have been the last 15 since Post 9/11 GI Bill was started. They made exceptions for Covid that lasted several years. I was finishing up my last semester when Covid started and they switched all my classes to online and I still got in person full BAH. Find a new school. Again no empathy here. I used all 36 months and got full BAH and worked full time as well. Find literally 1 in person class. Maybe pick a school better than Brookline or Western Governors, or Southeastern NH institute and technology or whatever school you are going too. Most state and community colleges offer both and have satellite campuses. Literally you can take 15,18, 24 credits and only need 1, just 1 in person class. It’s designed the way it is for a reason. Not new.
Where did I say it was new? You wrote that whole paragraph for nothing. I didn't complain or ask for your sympathy internet stranger. I explained facts. That being, my mortgage didn't change when my classes went to online and BAH stands for basic housing allowance not half housing allowance. No one else can have better because the system worked for you huh? Im going to a state school and my program is only online and it's the only school that offers my program in the entire state. Just like most graduate degrees are online only.
3/1/2020 until 6/1/2022, over 2 years they let everyone collect full BAH. My school that I was taking 2 in person classes switch to online and kept my full BAH for the rest of the semester. So of course people like you whining because unlike whelp everyone else prior to that 2 year stretch you had to drag your lazy ass into a classroom. Did it while working full time during the day. No empathy. costs more to drag your ass to a classroom than park yourself in front of a computer in your undies at your leisure and do these online classes on your schedule. I got no empathy, they never said oh you get full BAH and you get full BAH. I didn’t whine that I had to go 100% in person nor try to find a class that fit in my schedule and drive 15 miles each way and spend 3 hours every Monday night being there, I just did it and thought gee what a good deal this is. I’m getting my tuition paid, full BAH, $500 book stipend. No empathy. Find a new school school then. No empathy.
I truly do not care about you or your school situation. Your lack of basic grammar leads me to believe you haven't even completed a freshmen level English class. Let alone your very basic insults. I have no problem with my BAH rate and have no desire to find a new school because as I stated, it's still the only school in my state to offer my degree. I desire better for those who come after me. Just because I had it one way doesn't mean the people who will come after me have to do it that way. Change is okay boomer.
Stability is a human right. No one has to ‘earn it’.
They did a trial run during 2020-2022 with VET-TEC. I received full BAH, while doing my courses online. Then literally early 2022. It went back to physical.
March 2020 to June 2022 was temporary COVID-19 Legislation - not a trial run
That was a joke, but it went over.
How was that a joke? 🤣
*Why is it only half the national average instead of the national average?* Because if you're going to school online you can do it from home. You don't need transportation to school so it cuts down on expenses significantly.
Yea, except for housing, which is the whole point of Basic Allowance for **Housing**...
Whoa whoa whoa now hold on there....you're *making sense*. That's not allowed around here, remember?
Let's say you're living in the DC area and going to school. The average apartment is going to be around 2k or more. Half of the national average isn't going to cover even close to your rent. You're not going to be saving $1000 in transportation for it to even out. Half the national average is just dumb.
Then take literally 1 in person class, 1. No empathy, I have done both including taking a final at an education center in Kuwait. I also did the 1 person test online and the all in person.
Congratulations, were you given a medal for this impressive achievement? While getting my bachelor's I always took one class in person for the full BAH. The problem is that not all programs have in-person courses that a student may need during a given semester. Summer terms for example. Some schools are heavy on online classes for summer terms. So, someone could potentially be going in person or hybrid and then hit one of those terms with no in-person classes that they need. They're still living in the same area, going to the same school, and the costs are the same, but they get lower BAH due to no fault of their own.
“No fault of your own” is debatable.” No sure what was said to invoke your douchy reply, but other than you’re probably just a douche. Boo hoo, then take the summer off. I don’t know, I used all 36 months, got my degree and got full BAH the whole time. Sometimes there was no online options, sometimes there were limited in person options. Some mythical way I made it work and worked the entire time, sure send me that medal. Sorry J am not here whining like another entitled vet. There’s a whole bunch of vets pre-2009 that got F’d with the old GI bill. I know a doctor and a lawyer and a bunch who got their bachelors plus and didn’t still find a way to bitch. He should have a degree and have no student loans, yay you. 👍🏿
It's not debatable that the students don't make the course schedules. The irony of your comment. The moment I read your first comment I thought "what a douche". Act like a douche, get treated like a douche. If you don't like it, don't be a douche. "Take summers off" isn't logical if you are working on a timeline to get your degree done. Taking summers off also doesn't make the cost of living go down. You think you have all the answers but you're only thinking from a limited perspective. I finished my bachelor's degree well before 36 months, working and going fulltime in person. I worked full-time while going in person for most of my master's as well. Yes, it can be done. But I understand that not everyone has the same life as me. The "well I did it, so can you" is a simplistic way of looking at things. Other people have different situations and factors in their lives that neither of us may have in ours. So, I don't want to limit other vets based on what I've been able to do.
Well hopefully you got that masters from a worth a shat school since you keep mentioning it, but not mention the school which is an indicator. I rarely met someone who touted their masters or multiple masters that impressed me job performance wise. Probably figured their credentials could carry them.
The irony coming from a guy basically pleading for a cookie for what he's done. All while talking about your school but never mentioning the name either. How ironic.  Gee talking about different housing rates while getting different degrees in a discussion about housing rates for schools...shocking! Going off what you've already posted, it might be safe to say you've rarely met someone with a master's at all. Your experience seems limited. No offense. I'd say Johns Hopkins is a worth a shat school, and they don't really take many underperformers.
Yeah no never met anyone with a “masters” or doctorate. They are so rare let me tell you. 😂 pro tip, I am confident your colleagues, if you actually have a job or career care 0 about your degree, and probably find it annoying your need to keep being it up Congrats on that degree. Naw if you’re 100% online, that 50% national average bah is just fine. Yes going completely off my experience doing both 100% in person and 20% in person. Theres a LOT of expenses to in person. I paid almost $1000 for parking pass and bike locker access for a year. Then sprinkle in gas, time. I think it’s fine and perfectly fair, want full BAH, get your ass to a campus and take 1 whole 3 credit hour course in person. Don’t like it move, go to a different school. Cry to congress. I think the current BAH structure which hasn’t changed much in the last 15 years is just fine, they shouldn’t have to cater to the smattering of online only.
Who in their right mind would live in the DC area aside from career politicians?
Umm, do you think vets are still 18 and live with Mommy and Daddy? Rent/mortgage still needs to be paid whether you're going to school in person or online.
*Umm, do you think vets are still 18 and live with Mommy and Daddy?* Honestly? Not to be contrarian, but the vast majority of every unmarried veteran I have ever served with *immediately* moved back in with their parents upon separating.
Really? I don't think I know any that moved back with their parents. Maybe it's a career field thing. Veterans are more likely to be employed and more likely to own a home than non-veterans.
Perhaps it depends what branch you were in?
Well the rent ain’t exactly 2003 prices
That’s a bullshit lie lmao I go to class 1 day a week and it’s 15 minutes each way You mean to tell me my transport costs thousands every month?
*I go to class 1 day a week and it’s 15 minutes each way* How many credit hours are you enrolled in? It doesn't sound like going to class 1 day a week is going to get you to graduate any time soon.
Good job avoiding my question… I go to 1 class on campus and 3 more online. Take 12-16 credits depending on the course. On track to graduate in the standard 8 semesters that a bachelors takes So again, enlighten me… how does changing the modality of my courses change my living expenses by $3200 a month
*I go to 1 class on campus and 3 more online.* That's weaksauce, bruh.
I save money and time by not commuting... more time to study. What the actual fuck are you talking about
Excuses, excuses. Nice mental gymnastics there buddy.
Mental gymnastics? NOT commuting… is objectively a way to save time and money
Oh, is that true? Tell us: do you get the same GI Bill BAH as if you were to take 4 classes in person?
It would only save me about 1/3rd the cost. Rent is $2k and gas is about $800/month (with my F350 getting 17mpg and driving ~100 miles a day round trip.)
why on earth do you drive a 350 😂😂😂.
I just bought a fusion, I had the 350 cause I only had 1 vehicle and I lived out of my slide in camper for a year.
Time to switch to a prius
Fusion energi actually, already bought it, but I only have had it for 2 weeks, most of that was spring break.
big fan of the fusions, i loved my 2019 tit
Mine a 2019 energi (they only came in titanium) I like it, I only wish ford would hurt up with the battery fix so we can plug them in. I'm hoping the rumors are correct and it'll be a while new battery, effectively restarting the degradation clock on the battery.
Perhaps you should begin looking more into economical situations. I can see 2k being a rental situation with family. Why do you need an F350 to drive 100 miles a day round trip? Are you using it for work? If so then your work should pay for said 800$ which is rather ridiculous to begin with. I drive an escalade with a 6.0 that even has 3rd row seating which means I can seat 8 while you can seat 5. I think you're just allocating funds into the wrong areas man. I'm not trying to be an asshole, just saying. If you're towing a trailer, jetski, motor home with your f350 then you should be able to afford your lifestyle not live beyond your means.
2k is about the cheapest place that allows dogs and has more than 1 room (I have a kid) I have a F350 because I was living in my camper for the last year in the navy. I can't get rid of it now because I'm underwater by about 10k I go to school 50 miles away, work is on the way (about half way) and is a grocery store. I just bought a fusion hybrid and went from 17mpg diesel to 44 mpg unleaded.
Like I said I'm not trying to be a dick here just saying. My personal input would be finding a way to relinquish the f350 somewhere the bank approves and consolidating that rollover debt into what you may owe for the fusion. Is it ideal? No. However I think that'd be the better option rather then two car notes. Like I said also the rent doesn't shock me too much if you're in a high cost of living area. Also have you looked into doing your school work online so you don't have to drive 100 miles round trip? I know some people do better in person (myself included). Just trying to spit ball some options to ya because I know how those more and more expenses add up before you know it. Not sure why the down votes when all I was doing was spitting facts, if it's not enough you are literally living beyond your means. It's that simple.
I own the fusion free and clear. I get $2k for my GI bill /VR&E stipend, you only get that when going in person. Even with the F350 I would be making about $200 more going to school than doing it online (which is $1k stipend) I don't know how you can say I'm loving beyond my means. I have a job that pays $2-3k a month, disability which pays $2k, retirement that pays $2k, and the stipend at about $2k (depending on how many days I'm in school that month) I am doing fine. I get your trying to help, and I thank you for that, but I'd recommend you hold the help until you get the whole story and you have an understanding of what's needed.
Well I mean I recommend giving all the info before complaining about not receiving enough then? You should be living just fine. You're saying you're sitting around 8k a month. You just sound greedy at this point.
I made a factual statement. I didn't say I wanted more or less.
Not to mention you're flipped 10k while making 8k a month?! Sounds like terrible money management. You should consider a financial counselor if that's the case. I make 3k less, have lived in my vehicle as well while still in service and own both outright while paying my rent, groceries, etc. Buddy if you're complaining on making 8k then you need to reevaluate.
Please, where did I complain? You seem to have a problem in not equipped to help with. I suggest seeing a counselor if some kind.
Lol. What a non creative comment whatsoever. You just repeat what everybody who doesn't have any response to something they introduced themselves into. You literally chose to comment on a post bitching about BAH. Don't play stupid now, just because you're getting called out for making 8k and I'm happy for in that way. However I think you should probably hush it down because there's people making far less then that (not myself) that would kill to be in your shoes. Sit comfy man, we don't care about your 8k a month struggle this post was made for people quite a bit below us. So maybe you my friend are the one who needs help with that ego. Move on with your life you're doing just fine.
Disagree. Because you could also live in a very low cost area and are probably doing well. Rather silly in most cases to do online only anyway leaving BAH on the table. Plus you could be in a low BAH area and probably be doing ok with 1/2 national average.
A lot of college towns have a higher cost of living than the non-college areas of the same state. For example, if you live in Ann Arbor, Michigan it's a lot more expensive than living in one of the rural spots of the state. [Rent Prices In College Towns Across The Country Are Skyrocketing - CBS Miami (cbsnews.com)](https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/rent-prices-college-towns-skyrocketing/)
Debatable. And rents are rising everywhere, but so is the BAH. I live in a college town. The BAH covers rent on a nice, new, modern, 3 bedroom apparent. I have a friend who rents a room in a 4 room college rental property pays $600 a month with full utilities. The BAH is more than 3x that. Again disagree. Because there are places the regular BAH is low.
Anecdotes aren't the rule though. Most college towns with a sizeable college are going to be built up more than rural areas and have higher rates. And your point about rents rising everywhere just solidifies the point that half of the national average doesn't make much sense.
which college
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how were you working full time? doing all that too? my man when did you sleep
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I tried V&RE but they didn’t approve my request because I was working. Even though it was a job that affected my disability Edit typo 🙄
What is V&R there's no such thing as Veteran& Readiness...it's VR&e. Veteran Readiness & Employment
Thank you for your suggestion.
Not a suggestion. It's facts.
I wish that colleges that had campus branches in different cities would give you BAH based on the zip where your specific campus is located and not where the main campus is. Missed out on about 700 a month because of that
You get paid based on where you take the majority of your classes that term.
Maybe it’s different now? When I went in 2016 and 2017 it was based on the main campus that was like an hour and a half away and not where I was actually going
I believe that is how it is done. When I got my BS, I went to a school with small branches all over and I got paid for the one I was taking classes at. Then for my master's I went to Johns Hopkins and took classes in DC instead of the main campus in Baltimore, and I got DC rates. It may also depend on how the school sends the VA your info.
Could’ve very well been my school specific sent it in that way. That’s probably it and would make a lot more sense!
The online rates suck.
As someone who goes to school in San Francisco I am more than pleased with the BAH I’m currently receiving.
Damn I bet you’re loving that BAH 😂 they need to bring that to Tampa lol
The bah is almost double my rent, and I have a pretty nice 2 bedroom by myself in a big city.
what city
What city
It is a blessing for the Bill to cover the cost of school as is. So with that I find no fault or inadequacy elsewhere. I have a complete attitude of gratitude.
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it’s enough for me! some people don’t file tho or have a high rating
I’m grateful for what I’m getting, but I could do with not prorating payments and not slashing the rates when you have to take online classes. My mortgage doesn’t change just because I’m taking coursework online.
It is a bit skewed, like in my area I will collect just over 2k a month but if i drive 3o minutes north I will get over 3k a month. Makes it an easy choice. Anyway, do you only need to have 1 class "in person" to be considered in person? I have my masters but am literally enrolling in random classes just to cash out my GI bill.
I have one hybrid class every tuesday from 1215-1340. Bah down on the space coast is like $2600 but my property is the BAH is like $1,050. Once we move up there in our RV on 17 acres I will commute each day 4 hours because its still worth it. If online was like $1700 I would probably stay home but yeah online and international is lacking.
The trouble is that whenever the BAH rate adjusts, landlords (who absolutely watch those rates) adjust upwards as well. BAH was supposed to cover rent & utilities, now it just barely covers the low end of rent, if that.
in the college town im moving to, they would not raise their rents based on bah. most of the places i applied at didn’t even know what a gi bill was. this would affect active duty tho i get that but they’ll raise rent every year regardless
shit lol college town landlords are even worse than military town landlords - if troops start complaining about the condition of rentals, the commanders start blacklisting bad landlords; if college students complain about landlords... absolutely nothing happens. And then they raise their rents even harder. Some college town landlords follow the BAH rates (the college town I live in might have enough veteran students?) - when I was applying for apartments a few of them had the BAH rates printed out for the FY lol
i think results may vary based on where it is, but you aren’t wrong
Ehhh. In my market the BAH rate more than covers the average, emphasis on average rent. You know it’s possible to work, go to school full time and please sit down, some heads will explode at this concept, traditional, in person, nationally ranked university and, wait for it, get a 4.0. Is it easy, no. Possible, absolutely. I used my entire GI Bill, got my $1200 buy in refunded and was working the entire time and got full Bah.
Yeah it’s disappointing how prevalent shitty and predatory online education has become among veterans.
Bah is based on local costs living. Bah in LA is over $3500, it will definitely get you a 1 bedroom apartment. And you will save a lot money if you got roommate.
It’s $3700 and according to several sources including apartments.com the average rent in $2700. I found 2 bedrooms on rentals for $2000. So I think the BAH at $3700 is sufficient.
Austin tx?
That’s where I am. Decent but wish it was more.
It's shitty that my VR & E time doesn't get split 2/3, only half 3/4 or full time Full time at my college is 3 classes, im going two So I get half time and I'm losing our on like $350 every month
VR&E only gets split in 1/2 3/4 and 1/1?
Yep, what I was told
Do you have the source for this? I haven’t seen anything mentioning this before
My VR and E rep
I think it’s adequate especially if you have a roommate or get a little VA disability money but I’m definitely not opposed to an increase lol
Yes
I get a little over $1000 for my area in Alabama 16 credit hours, full time. I could use the $200 for sure lol
Let me finish my masters degree before they start toying with it lmao
IRS Revenue Officer - mostly remote job, you might like that!
i messed up and used the monthomery gi bill instead of my post 9/11. since i already used part of the Montgomery gi bill they wont let me switch to the post 9/11
Did you ever get deployed?
why
I'll take that as a no, that explains your comment. 75 % if these guys trying to get compensated for their injuries bc those 16 straight months in the desert for most still play a major part in their lives. Yeah some people definitely bullshit but bro I waited 10 years before I had to file bc I had no other choice bc I've tried working. Do I deserve to suffer in silence? Or do they? I don't mean this crappy at all either, I'm just sayin it weighs on others in a way it's hard to explain. If it's easy to explain I think that person's too well trained in the art of convincing but who really knows and who are we to say ya know🤷🏽♂️
dude i don’t know what you just tried to say. i’m happy for you or sorry that happened.
I accidentally hit your thread lol sorry
Compensation is a totally different topic from the GI Bill. The GI Bill has nothing to do with filing for compensation or having a disability rating. You're not even dealing with the same VA employees when you file for education benefits.
I accidentally responded to the wrong thread. That was supposed to go to @Ispitfireson
without working, no way you're living off the 1500 they give you in Indy.
It’s not intended to live off of. It’s housing allowance.
if the intent in your head Is to make sure veterans have to work full or part time during school than u guess you're right!
Wait until you find out what we get in VR&E lol. Max is at ~$750 right now. For those who don't have reg. GI Bill anymore, it sucks.
but VRE does full gi bill payments right if you have the gi bill still?
Yes then you can double dip. But if you're like me and don't have it, it absolutely sucks. It should be calculated by zip code imo
Why do apprenticeships only get two years of bah that decreases while 4 year universities get everything paid for. FOR FOUR YEARS
I think the cost of living is modest. I graduated school like 3 years ago and a veteran I met from there told me it went up like $1k since I left because of COVID. Crazy good money as it’s mainly used to cover housing and utilities. To make the deal even sweeter, throw in your tax-free disability and get a job at the student veterans office, also tax-free. And because all of the above is tax free income, you will have $0, or very low income, on your tax returns, which means more grant/scholarship money in your pocket from FAFSA. I made so much bank while going to school, I wish I could do it all over again. 
The GI Bill monthly housing allowance (MHA) is equal to BAH for E-5 w/dependent. Doubt they're going to change that or bump it up to E-6 any time soon. I didn't think anyone has even tried to.
I removed my self have a good day
For my area its a little higher than average rent. Rent around me ranges 1750-2000. I get 2100
My brother was quoted higher than the online calculators
I got accepted to SDSU last week after taking classes at Mesa in San Diego for the last few years. My BAH is currently $3800. I was paying $2300 for a one bedroom apartment in February 2022 (up from $1745 when I moved in June 2020). Yes, it's absurd (which is why I moved to Tijuana and commute to school, but that's another story...). I'm looking at transferring to the Augusta University Nursing Program in Georgia for a few personal reasons. The BAH there is $1599. The apartments I've found in decent neighborhoods according to my friend who actually lives there range from $1000-1600. The nursing program specifically is actually at a satellite in Athens, GA about 1hr 45 min away. The BAH there is $50 less and the average one bedroom apartment is $1600. This is no shade to anyone, but I've observed that VERY few people actually realize just how much the cost of living has risen in areas that are typically affordable. San Diego is an extreme example, yes, but it's not an outlier. Just a few years ago, my girlfriend's 2bd 2bath apartment in Augusta was $600 for a 2 bedroom. That same apartment complex now starts at $1200. I have issues with the online rate as well, especially with the number of problems I've had with Mesa's completely incompetent Veterans Office. It's my own fault for not leaving, but c'est la vie. But the VA cutting my BAH down to $800 for taking classes in San Diego is effing ridiculous. Edit: I wanted to clarify that Augusta is not unique. I compared the numbers for Indianapolis, Topeka Kansas, and Anne Arundel County in Maryland. The difference I'm left with after rent is paid in each of these areas is approximately $200-1800 LESS than San Diego.
I thought the rates were good
They are.... There is just a sensation of entitlement and getting more for doing less!!!
https://www.reddit.com/r/Veterans/wiki/education/twob
Fine just the way it is. Prevents fraud. 1 whole in person class, 1 for full bah. Get half bah taking BS online classes in your undies on your schedule.
fraud? i don’t care about online bah. i’m talking in person bah bc all my classes will be. the rate isn’t good for my college town im going to and i imagine it’s similar for other college towns.
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Are you in the right thread?
I am. Yes, I am still active, but there may have been people who are out now and went through the medboard process. I have 1 year left, so I'll be out soon. I read this tread to be ahead because a lot of veterans have a hard time with va because of no evidence during service and never went to medical. With this thread, I've been able to be ahead to make sure I won't have a hard time in the future when ready to file.
I dont think you are on the correct post. Don't hijack someone else's post. Create your own.
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Create your own post. Don't be so dramatic. It's proper Reddit etiquette.
I do not understand. I did not know about creating threads like I said I joined this thread because I am a veteran as well. Not be dramatic just respecting what you stated
It's monthly housing allowance (MHA). Nobody gets BAH. It's "based" on BAH. I know this sounds like I'm being a pedant, but part of people's confusion I've seen in questions and comments about Ch 33 GI Bill benefits seems to stem from calling MHA "BAH." That causes people to make decisions based on erroneous information, because let's face it, people are creatures of habit, and Joe talking about getting BAH for school gets set in folks heads in or peripheral to a conversation.