Education Benefits Comparison
Compare the total dollar value of Post-9/11 GI Bill, VR&E, Tuition Assistance, and Montgomery GI Bill for your specific school and situation.
Enter your service record and school location
Compare GI Bill, VR&E, and Tuition Assistance
See your total education benefit value
Your Situation
Service status
Determines Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility tier (40%–100%)
10%+ may qualify for VR&E (requires employment barrier determination)
School Details
School type
San Diego, CA — E-5 w/dep BAH: $3,975/mo
GI Bill MHA = E-5 with-dependents BAH at your school's location
Public in-state: ~$10,000–12,000/yr · Private: ~$35,000–40,000/yr
Side-by-Side Comparison4-year program · Full-time
Ch. 33
Post-9/11 GI Bill
Total program value
$195,100
$48,775/year
Ch. 31
VR&E
Requires 10%+ VA disability rating and employment barrier determination by VR&E counselor
TA
Tuition Assistance
Tuition Assistance is available to active duty service members only
Ch. 30
Montgomery GI Bill
Total program value
$90,648
$22,662/year
· Fixed monthly stipend — tuition is paid from this amount
· After paying tuition: ~$1,185/month remaining for living expenses
· Requires $1,200 buy-in and service before Jan 1, 2018
What This Means for You
Post-9/11 GI Bill covers 100% of your in-state tuition plus $3,975/month housing allowance for 9 months each academic year. Total 4-year estimated value: $195,100.
Save or share your education benefits estimate
Useful for comparing school options, planning your post-service education, or reviewing benefits with a school counselor.
Related Tools & Guides
BAH Calculator
Look up E-5 BAH for any school ZIP — the GI Bill MHA is this rate
VA Disability Calculator
Calculate your combined VA rating — 10%+ may open VR&E eligibility
GI Bill vs. Tuition Assistance
Why active-duty members often compare TA before using GI Bill months
VR&E vs. GI Bill
The benefit most veterans overlook — especially at expensive schools
GI Bill Housing Allowance Guide
Why your school's ZIP code matters more than tuition
Post-9/11 GI Bill Explained
Complete 2026 breakdown — tiers, MHA, books, transfer rules
Important disclaimer
This tool compares education benefits for planning purposes only. Actual benefit amounts depend on VA eligibility determinations, school certifying official verification, and current VA payment rates. VR&E eligibility requires counselor evaluation — a disability rating alone does not guarantee approval. Tuition Assistance policies vary by branch. MGIB eligibility depends on when and how you entered service, whether you paid into the program, and specific service requirements. Many newer service members are primarily under Post-9/11 GI Bill rules. MHA shown using 2026 BAH data; academic year rates effective August 1, 2026. Verify all benefits with VA.gov and your installation education office. This is not financial or legal advice.
How Much Is the Post-9/11 GI Bill Worth at a San Diego University?
Scenario: E-5 with 36+ months of qualifying active duty service (100% eligibility), attending UC San Diego or a comparable institution in San Diego, CA (ZIP 92093), full-time. California in-state tuition approximately $15,000/yr. Compared to Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30).
What this means: Under this scenario, Post-9/11 GI Bill has the higher estimated dollar value — primarily because the Monthly Housing Allowance ($3,975/month) is benchmarked to the local BAH rate. In this scenario, Post-9/11 benefits may cover in-state tuition and provide a substantial housing allowance, though actual rent, fees, enrollment level, and eligibility tier will affect the result.
How the Comparison Works
This calculator estimates the total financial value of each education benefit over your full program, combining tuition coverage, monthly housing allowance, and books/supplies. Not all benefits are available to everyone — the calculator shows only the benefits you qualify for based on your service history and VA rating.
Post-9/11 GI Bill (Ch. 33)
The most widely used benefit. Covers in-state public tuition at 100% (or up to $30,908.34/year at private schools), plus a monthly housing allowance equal to E-5 with-dependents BAH at your school's ZIP code. Value varies enormously by location.
VR&E — Vocational Rehab (Ch. 31)
Often overlooked: covers full tuition with no dollar cap and all required books and supplies. VR&E participants may receive a subsistence allowance; some may elect the Post-9/11 subsistence rate if they have GI Bill entitlement. Requires 10%+ VA rating and employment barrier determination by a VR&E counselor.
Tuition Assistance (Active Duty)
Available to active duty members only. Covers $250/credit hour up to $4,500/year — does not consume GI Bill months. For many active-duty members, TA is worth comparing first because it does not use GI Bill months and active-duty GI Bill use generally does not include MHA.
Montgomery GI Bill (Ch. 30)
A fixed monthly payment ($2,518/month full-time) paid directly to you — you cover tuition from that amount. Better than Post-9/11 for online programs with low tuition, but usually less total value for in-person students where housing allowance adds up.
Why the ZIP Code Matters So Much
The GI Bill monthly housing allowance (MHA) is set equal to the E-5 with-dependents BAH at the school's ZIP code. This means two veterans attending the same program at different schools can receive vastly different MHA amounts — a school in San Diego might pay $3,900+/month while the same degree program in a rural area might pay $1,200/month. Over 36 months of enrollment, that gap is worth $96,000+ in housing allowance alone.
If you're choosing between comparable schools, enter both ZIP codes separately and compare the resulting MHA. In some high-cost locations, the housing allowance difference can exceed the tuition difference.
Active Duty: TA vs. GI Bill
For service members on active duty, TA and GI Bill have different rules worth comparing. Key factors:
- TA covers $4,500/year and resets annually — use it or lose it each fiscal year.
- Post-9/11 GI Bill generally does not pay MHA to active-duty members — they already receive BAH separately.
- Every GI Bill month used on active duty is a month of MHA not collected post-separation.
- Using TA while on active duty may preserve GI Bill months that could include MHA post-separation — a difference that can be significant over a multi-year program.
What this calculator does not include
- • Yellow Ribbon school-specific matching (may close the private school tuition gap)
- • GI Bill kicker / college fund
- • MGIB $600 buy-up option
- • Transferability service-obligation approval details
- • VR&E counselor-approved plan specifics
- • School-specific fees not certified to VA
- • Break months or summer term differences
- • State tuition waivers or grants
- • Changes from individual VA eligibility determinations
Disclaimer
MilPayTools calculators use official DoD and VA rate tables (2026) for educational purposes only. Results are estimates and may not reflect your exact situation. Always verify your pay and benefits with your unit's Finance Office, your MyPay account, or an accredited military financial counselor. Tax calculations are illustrative estimates — consult a tax professional for personalized advice. This tool is not affiliated with the Department of Defense, the VA, or any government agency.
Learn More
Want updated numbers when 2027 rates drop?
Updates when pay tables, BAH rates, or tools change. No spam.
We'll only email you when official rates change or new tools launch. Unsubscribe anytime.