GI Bill rates 2026–2027 (official VA rates)
Quick answer: VA has published its 2026–2027 rates. For the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Aug. 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027), VA pays net in-state tuition and fees at public schools and up to $30,908.34 a year at private and foreign schools. Housing is based on 2026 E-5 with-dependents BAH for where you attend (up to $1,198 a month online-only), plus up to $1,000 a year for books (VA). The Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty pays up to $2,601.00 a month full time from Oct. 1, 2026 (VA).
Status (checked Oct. 17, 2026): every number on this page is copied from VA.gov. Post-9/11 rates: effective Aug. 1, 2026 (VA page last updated Oct. 13, 2026). Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty and Selected Reserve: effective Oct. 1, 2026 (last updated Oct. 1, 2026). Chapter 35 DEA: effective Oct. 1, 2026 (last updated Oct. 14, 2026). VA hasn't published 2027–2028 rates.
Post-9/11 GI Bill estimate calculator
Estimate only. It follows VA's published method: rates × your eligibility percentage; housing × your rate of pursuit (credits ÷ full time, rounded to the nearest tenth, must be more than 50%). In-person housing uses DTMO's official 2026 E-5 with-dependents BAH for the ZIP (the same file as our BAH calculator); VA uses your school's location, so confirm with VA's GI Bill Comparison Tool. No housing allowance while you're on active duty, at half time or less, or for flight or correspondence training. The default ZIP 85721 is the University of Arizona in Tucson.
Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33): Aug. 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027
Full (100%) rates. If you're eligible for less than 100%, multiply by your percentage.
| Benefit | 2026–27 (from Aug. 1, 2026) | 2025–26 |
|---|---|---|
| Public school tuition and fees | Net in-state tuition and mandatory fees (no dollar cap) | Same rule |
| Private or foreign school, non-college degree program (yearly cap) | $30,908.34 | $29,920.95 |
| Flight training (yearly cap) | $17,661.89 | $17,097.67 |
| Correspondence school (yearly cap) | $15,012.59 | $14,533.00 |
| Housing, in person in the U.S. | 2026 E-5 with-dependents BAH for the location | 2025 E-5 with-dependents BAH |
| Housing, online only (monthly max) | $1,198 | $1,169 |
| Housing, foreign school (monthly max) | $2,396 | $2,338 |
| Books and supplies | Up to $1,000 a year ($41.67 per credit, up to 24 credits) | Same |
2025–26 figures are from VA's 2025–2026 past rates page.
Your eligibility percentage
| Active-duty time (after Sept. 10, 2001) | Percent of the full benefit |
|---|---|
| 1,095 days (36 months) or more, a Purple Heart, or 30+ continuous days and discharged for a service-connected disability | 100% |
| 910 to 1,094 days (30 to 35 months) | 90% |
| 730 to 909 days (24 to 29 months) | 80% |
| 545 to 729 days (18 to 23 months) | 70% |
| 180 to 544 days (6 to 17 months) | 60% |
| 90 to 179 days (90 days to 5 months) | 50% |
Other Post-9/11 payments (2026–27)
- Apprenticeship or on-the-job training: housing starts at 100% of 2026 E-5 with-dependents BAH for the training ZIP for months 1 to 6, then 80%, 60%, 40% and 20% (from 2 years on), prorated by eligibility, plus up to $83 a month for books.
- Licensing and certification tests: up to $2,000 per test; VA charges 1 month of entitlement for every $2,578.64 paid (or every $2,508.33 for prep courses). National tests have no dollar limit.
- Rural relocation: a one-time $500 if you move from a highly rural county (6 or fewer people per square mile) and relocate at least 500 miles or must fly to attend.
- Tutorial assistance: up to $100 a month, $1,200 total. Tuition over the cap? See if your school is in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Transferred benefits and the Fry Scholarship use Post-9/11 rates; VA lists them on its education benefit rates page. Thinking of transferring yours? See GI Bill transfer to dependents.
Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (Chapter 30): Oct. 1, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2027
Monthly rates VA pays directly to you. College and non-college degree programs use the same rates.
| Enrollment | Served 3+ continuous years | Served 2 to 3 years |
|---|---|---|
| Full time | $2,601.00 | $2,110.00 |
| 3/4 time | $1,950.75 | $1,582.50 |
| 1/2 time | $1,300.50 | $1,055.00 |
| Less than 1/2, more than 1/4* | $1,300.50 | $1,055.00 |
| 1/4 time or less* | $650.25 | $527.50 |
| On-the-job training, months 1–6 | $1,950.75 | $1,582.50 |
| On-the-job training, months 7–12 | $1,430.55 | $1,160.50 |
| On-the-job training, after the first year | $910.35 | $738.50 |
*Or the cost of tuition and fees, whichever is less. The 2025–26 full-time rate was $2,518.00 (3+ years). A kicker or the $600 Buy-Up adds to these amounts. Flight training: 60% of approved charges; correspondence: 55% of the established cost.
Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606): Oct. 1, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2027
| Enrollment | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Full time | $508.00 |
| 3/4 time | $408.00 |
| 1/2 time | $253.00 |
| Less than 1/2 time | $127.00 |
| On-the-job training, months 1–6 | $381.00 |
| On-the-job training, months 7–12 | $279.40 |
| On-the-job training, after the first year | $177.80 |
The 2025–26 full-time rate was $493.00. A kicker adds to these amounts.
Chapter 35 DEA (survivors and dependents): Oct. 1, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2027
| Enrollment | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Full time | $1,621.00 |
| 3/4 time | $1,281.00 |
| 1/2 time | $939.00 |
| Less than 1/2, more than 1/4* | $939.00 |
| 1/4 time or less* | $405.25 |
| On-the-job training, months 1–6 | $1,029.00 |
| Months 7–12 | $774.00 |
| Months 13–18 | $508.00 |
| More than 19 months | $259.00 |
*Or the cost of tuition and fees, whichever is less. Special restorative training full time: $1,621 a month.
FAQ
What are the Post-9/11 GI Bill rates for 2026-2027?
For Aug. 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027, VA pays the net in-state tuition and mandatory fees at public schools, and up to $30,908.34 a year at private and foreign schools and non-college degree programs. Flight training is capped at $17,661.89 and correspondence school at $15,012.59. The monthly housing allowance is based on 2026 E-5 with-dependents BAH for where you attend most classes (up to $1,198 for online-only classes), and books pay up to $1,000 a year. These are 100% rates; multiply by your eligibility percentage.
How much is the GI Bill housing allowance for online classes in 2026?
Up to $1,198 a month from Aug. 1, 2026, which VA bases on half the national average housing allowance (it was $1,169 in 2025-26). It's prorated by your eligibility percentage and your rate of pursuit, which must be more than 50%. If you take at least 1 class in person, you may qualify for the higher resident rate.
Will 2027 BAH rates change my GI Bill housing allowance?
Not for this school year. VA says it uses the 2026 BAH rates to calculate the housing allowance paid between Aug. 1, 2026 and July 31, 2027.
How much is the Montgomery GI Bill per month in 2026?
From Oct. 1, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2027, the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty pays up to $2,601.00 a month for full-time school if you served at least 3 continuous years, or $2,110.00 if you served 2 to 3 years. The Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve pays up to $508.00 a month full time.
Why do Post-9/11 and Montgomery GI Bill rates change on different dates?
VA's Post-9/11 GI Bill rates run on the academic year, Aug. 1 to July 31. The Montgomery GI Bill (Active Duty and Selected Reserve) and Chapter 35 DEA rates run from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30.
Are 2027-2028 GI Bill rates out yet?
No. As of Oct. 17, 2026, VA's rate pages list the 2026-2027 rates as current. We'll add the new rates when VA posts them.
Related: SGLI, FSGLI and VGLI premium rates · GI Bill transfer to dependents · Hazlewood Act (Texas) · 2026 BAH calculator · When 2027 BAH rates come out · Leaving-the-service timeline · Top 10 most-missed veteran benefits · All vet benefit guides
- VA: Post-9/11 GI Bill rates, Aug. 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027
- VA: Post-9/11 GI Bill 2025–2026 rates
- VA: Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty rates, Oct. 1, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2027
- VA: Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve rates, Oct. 1, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2027
- VA: Chapter 35 rates for survivors and dependents, Oct. 1, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2027
- VA: Current education benefit rates (all programs)
- DTMO: BAH rate lookup (E-5 with dependents)
Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Rates change; the official source wins. Questions about your award: Ask VA. In crisis? Dial 988, then press 1.
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