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GI Bill Information: Ask the Expert BlogWhen Can I Expect My Housing Allowance and Book Stipend?
August 25th, 2010
by Ron Kness
by Ron Kness
Hello, I would like to get a clear understanding as to when (specific date, pay day sort of thing) I would receive the housing allowance. Classes will start August 30th, the 23rd for transfer students. If the confirmation from the school is sent in a timely manner (a month or so before October) and we are paid in arrears for the housing allowance, can I expect the allowance to be in my account on Oct 1st? Direct Deposit should already be set up.
In regards to the book stipend, should I expect to see that money at the beginning of the school semester or when I receive the first housing allowance? Is the stipend school year based (Fall 2010-Spring 2011) or calendar-year based (Spring 2010- Fall 2010)? Thank you for your assistance ahead of time. — Jonathan
First Jonathan, I can’t give you a specific date when you will see your Post 9/11 GI Bill housing allowance, but it takes around 8 weeks to process. If your school submits it right away, you should see a deposit, around the first week of November, for the two days of August and all of September and October. I say “should” because sometimes the first check takes longer.
Just to have your bases covered, I would have funds available to cover living expenses for the whole first semester, just in case it does take longer. You will eventually get your money, but in case it is late, you are not scrambling trying to figure out how to pay your bills. Once you get your first check, subsequent checks should come around that same date each month.
You should see your Post 9/11 GI Bill book stipend with your first housing allowance check each semester. The book stipend is based on an academic year, so it would be fall 2010 to spring 2011.
97 Responses to “When Can I Expect My Housing Allowance and Book Stipend?”
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Thanks Alan. I am the spouse of of Veteran who is not on active duty. I actually received a letter yesterday and talked to someone at the VA office. Looks like there was some delay because they were changing the benefits. Hopefully,I will be getting my payments any time.
i emailed the paperwork to have my husbands gi bill transferred to me in May and I have not heard anything back from the VA. How long does the certificate comes in my name. I am worried because school begins 7/6 and i cant receive hope or pell because our income is too high. Will i still be able toenroll or do i have to wait. We have already received the certificate stating the benefits are transferrable.
I’m assuming your husband already made a transfer request through the Transfer of Benefits (TEB) website and that request has been approved? If not, that is the first step. Once the request has been approved (by checking back at the TEB website and watching for the status to change from “Pending Review” to “Approved”), then you need to submit VA Form 22-1990e from the eBenefits website. If these two actions have already been done, then it is a matter of waiting to get your Certificate of Entitlement. which can take 8 to 10 weeks.
However, because you are getting close to your school start date, the other route I would go is to see your school’s VA Certifying Official. Most of them can certify you on the spot and you could still start school on-time even though you may not have received your CoE yet.
Does the 911 GI Bill cover Developmental College classes ie; Math/English?
Yes it does, but they call them Preparatory Classes.
Yes it is. The book stipend usually comes at the beginning of a semester whereas the housing allowance will come after the first month of school.
It can to get the first payment. After that, it will come on a routine monthly basis.
From what i understand the lady at my husbands school who helped him with his benefits told him that he had enough money left over to where he wouldnt have to purchase his own books. That he would get vouchers to take to the book store to get his books. Does he not get the book money deposited to him every semester? It it based on circumstances at to wether or not he will receive that money?
Hi,
I received the Pell Grant, (5,500 split into two semesters) on top of my GI Bill Benefits. I received 2700.00 per semester.
My tuition and fees were all paid for with the Pell Grant, the GI BILL has not been used at all.. I even bought my books, about 500.00 dollars worth with the pell grant.. So does this mean I will get a check from the VA with the book stipend? Also, will the pell grant money be refunded once the GI Bill coverage kicks in? Just curious as to how it all works out.
Also, is their any requirements for the book stipend? I am only taking 9 credit hours until mid September and then it goes to 12 when my math class starts.
Question about the book stipend then…I started school in the summer semester and received $375 which did not even cover book costs for that semester. Now I am in fall semester and I have zero money to get books for this semester. You would think the VA would have thought about something like that yea? I mean, they have to have college degrees to get the jobs, so they know what its like. I digress to my original question, will I see another stipend? Or do I need to fill something out to get reimbursed for the books?
No under the Post 9/11 GI Bill, you are not required to send in any book receipts. You should get $41.67 per credit shortly after the semester begins.
The GI Bill is the last payer, so you will get the housing allowance and book stipend. As far as your tuition, if your Pell Grant paid it, then the GI Bill will not as the VA pays actual charges after everyone has paid first. So basically your are using up GI Bill entitlement, but only getting the book stipend and housing allowance in return.
we have started school and my money has not been recieved. i need books ,so can i goto the book store with a vochur to get my books and pay later or am i entitled to get my books paids.
I am beginning a graduate program that determines a full time student to be 9 or more semester hours. I am taking 6. With the new pay method for housing allowance, how will my allowance be calculated? Also, if I purchase my books out of pocket, will I received the entire book stipend?
If your school considers 9 credits to be full-time and you are taking 6 credits, then you will get 6/9ths or 2/3rds of the full amount. The full amount is calculated by taking the BAH for an E-5 with dependents for the zip code of your school.
As far as the book stipend, I’m not sure what you are expecting when you say “will I receive the full amount”. The book stipend is paid at the rate of $41.67 per credit up to $1,000 per year, so if you are taking 6 credits, you will get $250.02 this semester as a book stipend regardless if you books cost more or less.
I read you said the book stipend is 41.47 per credit. I’m only able to take one class this term,3 credits, but my book cost 197 dollars, will the VA reimburst me for the amount I had to pay out of my pocket? I’m already in a dired situation with the BAH changes!
Does the VA pay the Post 9 11 GI Bill housing allowance at the end of a covered month or in advance of a covered month? For example, I start school on the 1st of August. In a perfect world (devoid of process time) should I receive the housing allowance on the 1st of August or the 1st of September?
It would not be before the 1st of September because the VA always pays in arrears.If you started school on 1 September you should see something from around the middle to the end of September. Once the VA has processed all the certifications of enrollment form the schools, then they cut the payment checks or make the direct deposit, depending on how you have your payment method set-up.
i started school october 15th, and its now november 1st and i havent recieved any bah for the post 9-11 gi bill. When will i recieve it because they gibill customer service hangs up on me due to high call call volume, so im at a total loss right now.
Just be patient. Normally you will not get your housing allowance until you have been in school for at least a month and sometimes it takes two months to get the first payment. After that , it should come approximately the same time each month. The VA processes payments only after they have processed all the applications for benefits and the Fall term normally puts them in a backlog situation. So until they work through the apps, they can’t cut payments.
If you are just beginning your GI bill its a pain the first semester as far as getting money for books and housing, but after that the VA is great about getting your money to you on time. I’ve had the GI bill two years and have had not complaints.
My girlfriend has been using her Montgomery for about 29 months. She switched over to the post 9/11 at the end of November was approved for it by December 2nd. She is still currently attending school. Would this still fall under the 8 week waiting time?
No it won’t. For here, it should be a seamless and transparent process with no stop in benefits.
i started school on the 17th, i already got $500 for books, and seriously i cant get through to the va office, i need to have some sort of idea when my housing will be here. i just keep getting the run around with this whole thing…
Talk to your school’s VA Certifying Official. Every school has at least one person to help you with GI Bill issues.
This addresses those questions/comments concerning the $1000 book stipend. My books cost over $500 for the spring 2012 semester. I paid for all of it out of pocket. I will be going year round and my books will run about $1500/year. I KNOW I will get a MAX of $1,000 stipend. Sounds like a bad deal huh? Use your heads people. Colleges buy back books in between semesters at about a 50% (some higher, some lower) of what you paid for the books. So, I am looking at getting back $750 for my used books, meaning I will pay $750 for a full school year of books. You cannot beat that. If you cannot afford to pay for anything above the $1000 the govt gives you, don’t take any more classes.
I have been in school for 4 weeks now and no book money has come yet. Last semester I finally got my book money with only a month left in the semester. What exactly is going on with the VA? Some people I have talked to get their book money at the very start of the semester while others, like me, dont get it till late and in semester
In most cases, it depends on when your school submits their paperwork. Some schools are proactive and submit before the semester starts. Other schools wait until after the semester has already started.
I need assistant in getting my GI Bill benefits processed thru the Buffalo office. I sent my request in 23 Jan 2012 and still to date it hasnt been processed. My name is Cassandra Buckner last 4 of ssn 2446. I cant pay my rent or my school bill. Now I have an eviction notice and I have no where to go if I’m put out. I’m a single mom with a 1 year old son and I’ve begged borrowed enough from my family and friends.. This has been going on for over 7 weeks.. Can someone help me please?
I dont understand I was getting my money every month and was out in Dec11 and started back in Jan 2012. But now its harder to start it back up???
Unfortunately Cassandra, we are not affiliated with the VA so I can’t help you with your payment issue. I would question if your school sent in a Certificate of Enrollment on your behalf for this semester. Contact your VA Certifying Official and ask, plus that person may be able to help you.
I have switched schools I’m using the post 9-11 gi bill my question is…….
I set up direct deposit with my previous school. Will my payments still go direct deposit? Thank you
My GI bill has been approved. School has been paid. But have not received and funds for living. Its been over 90 days. But I am on transitional leave till my final out date is April 19th.
Hello,
I am retired and transferred my benefits to my daughter. She is set to attend NSU in LA starting in the fall. I have submitted the proper application to the Regional Office to get the Certificate. Once I receive it what’s next. Also in LA there is a TOPS program for tuition that she qualified for. I was told that if we used TOPS she wouldn’t get any other benefits from the GI Bill. Is this correct, or what can I (she) expect to get from the VA. I really think there needs to be some type of checklist to use or GI Bill for dependents. What is the next steps and does the LA Tops program still allow her to receive housing and book stipend?
Hello,
I have read these comments, and have noticed that you receive your first payment sometimes as late as the 2nd month of school. Is your first payment then both the first and 2nd month together? Or do you receive only the amount equivalent to one month housing?
Started a new class for the 2nd 8 weeks of the spring semester that put at 11 credits. I have received the payment for books stipend but no housing allowance. I understand that the payments may come late, but I was receiving payment on time(last or first day of the month). My question is wouldn’t my books stipend show up and housing allowance show up on the same day? Or is it common for the two to be on separate dates?
It is common for the two to show up on separate days as they are separate payments. Normally you should get your book stipend shortly after the beginning of a semester. Your housing allowance is an after-the-fact payment, so you should get it toward the end of the month or at the beginning of the next month.
No, you get the backpay also. It just takes awhile to get the payment process started.
Just started the 9/11 GI Bill and am very much liking it so far. To help out some of the questions on here about pell grants and how to use the GI Bill here ya go. If you apply for Fafsa DO NOT USE IT before ur bill. My VA rep told me to apply for it and use it as extra funds for books, gas, supplies etc. The Bill covers most books expenses (all if you rent them) and the housing I am still curious about. Already got my book stipend and something called a MGIB SR Kicker is on its way. I applied for funds early so does that mean I should receive it earlier in the starting month or no? (applied in march and school started april) Just be patient for the funds and check ur bank account, except fafsa, I got a paper check for that one in the mail. Hope this helps some.
I started at ITT Tech about a month ago and I was told I was on my own when it came to my housing allowance. Never set up a direct deposit….. Do I need to talk to the school about post 9/11 benifits. I still need a job, and I’m sick of asking family for money. Michigan has no jobs paying over 8$ that has little or no requirements or job skills. I was 91 /63j in the army…. I’m thinking about working at fast food ….my cell phone will be shutoff soon.
any help in a direction to get this going ? 
John, it normally doesn’t make any difference in the order you use the Pell and Post 9/11 GI Bill. If your Pell pays your tuition first, you get it back from your school once the GI Bill pays them. If your GI Bill pays your school first, then you get your Pell money from your school right away. Either way, you get it.
You said, “the bill” covers books. Actually, you get a book stipend at the beginning of each semester calculated at $41.67 per credit with a $1,000 yearly cap (if you are at the 100% tier). As far as the monthly housing allowance, it is based on the zip code of your school and the number of credits you are taking. Normally you get it either at the end of the current month or beginning of the following month.
Hi Ron. No that is not correct. If her tuition is paid for by another program (TOPS), then all she would get is her housing allowance and book stipend. In my estimation, that is not the best use of the GI benefits you transferred to her.
Under the Post 9/11 GI Bill, her tuition and fees would be paid for in full at her school ($2,750.50 per semester) and she would get a monthly housing allowance based on the zip code of her school and the number of credits she is taking ($906 if she is taking a full credit load). Plus once each semester, she would get the a book stipend of $41.67 per credit (about $500), up to the $1,000 per year maximum.
Just because she is eligible for TOPS doesn’t mean she has to use it. You (or she) can do what you want, but either way most of her education will be paid for by one program or another.
I’m not sure how the funding for TOPS works, but if it is limited and by your daughter using her GI Bill, another student may get to attend college. Just something to think about.
What I’m not understanding Joseph is if you are not using your GI Bill at all or just using the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB). If you are using the MGIB, all you get is up to $1,473 per month – no housing allowance or book stipend. And you must pay all your own education expenses.
If you would be using the Post 9/11 GI Bill, then the VA would pay your tuition and eligible fees and monthly you would get a housing allowance and a book stipend either once each semester or monthly depending if your school is considfered a degree-producing or non-degree-producing school, respectively.
If you are not getting the housing allowance, but using Post 9/11 GI Bill, then it could be you are not taking enough credits to qualify for it. If you are authorized the monthly housing allowance, but did not set up Direct Deposit, then you will receive your money by check sent to the address on your VA Form 22-19900 or 22-1990e.
If you are using the MGIB right now, but qualify for the Post 9/11 GI Bill, I would recommend doing the math to see which one would pay you more. If you decide to switch GI Bills, send in a new VA Form 22-1990 (veteran) or 22-1990e (dependent using transferred benefits) from the eBenefits website indicating you want to use the Chapter 33 GI Bill.
If you are still getting paid active duty pay while on transitional leave, then that is why you have not been paid your housing allownace – you can’t get both as that would be double-dipping. Once you come off of leave, then you should see your housing allwoance. Regardless of your pay status though, you should have seen your book stipend by now. Contact the VA and find out what is the hold-up with your book stipend.
This is the first time that I will be using the book stipend. Do that pay for other materials related to the course or just the books?
Also, is the funds issued in a voucher for you take to the college book store or is it something that is deposited into your account? Active duty spouse.
It is money Christy that is deposited into your account. You can spend it as you wish and you do not need to send in receipts or anything like that. The amount you get will be $41.67 per credit (up to the $1,000 yearly cap).
If you set up your Direct Deposit on your VA Form 22-1990 or 22-1990e, then you are fine and no change would be required for that part. But you will have to submit VA Form 22-1995 – Request for Change of Program or Place of Training.
If 8 to 10 weeks have not lapsed since you sent in your application, I wouldn’t get too excited yet. It normally takes that long before your or your school start to see any money. The VA will send money for your tuition and fees directly to your school. You should see your book stipend money first with your housing allowance to follow sometime after.