Post 9/11 GI bill help...

Question

This is from the info on gibill.gov

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Monthly housing allowance equal to the

basic allowance for housing (BAH) amount

payable to a military E-5 with dependents, in

same zip code as school * (paid to you);

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Does this mean that:

a) student must live in the same zip code as the school (and if so, what about online students?)

b) the amount is determined on average cost of housing in the school's zip code?

c) something else?

Answer 1

I have called the VA about this exact question.  The answer given to me is that you will have to live in the same zip code as the school to receive the equivalent BAH.  When I enquired for more information all they could give me is that this is the way it was explained to them and that there will be more details in the future.  The problem is that even though it has been approved the fine details have not been worked out.  I expect it to be worded differently in the final draft with a mileage range to the school.  My arguing point is the are alot of cities in the US that have more than one zip code, so it would not be right to exclude someone that lives a couple of miles from the school because they do not have the exact zip code.  So I guess we just have to wait for them to work out the kinks then we will get a better answer.

Answer 2

A) yes student must live in the same zip code as the school in order for them to get funding from my understanding if they want to go to a private institution they will still only get the amount for an in - state institution ... For online students, they DO NOT qualify for stipend

B) the amount the student gets is determined by how long they have served ... the amount is of the average of in - state cost of housing

Again the amount they get also depends on the time they have served