There's No Place Like Home: Housing Allowance for Online Students

The inability of veterans in online degree programs to receive a basic housing allowance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill--a benefit available to their counterparts in traditional on-campus programs--had been a sore spot for many students. After all, they still had to pay for a roof over their heads, even if their commutes to campus were virtual.

GI Bill 2.0: A welcome change

Now veterans in distance learning programs, through a change in the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Improvements Act, can receive the basic housing allowance, or BHA.

Under the change to Post-9/11 GI Bill, now known as GI Bill 2.0, that took effect on Oct. 1, veterans enrolled full-time in online degree programs can qualify for an allowance equal to half of the national average basic housing allowance of $1,347 a month, or $673.50 a month.

Previously, students in online programs could qualify for the BHA only if they took at least one course in a face-to-face setting. But doing so meant having to travel to a campus-based program––an impracticality for students juggling full-time jobs and other responsibilities––and file paperwork to get their primary online institutions to accept the credits.

"Our veterans saw it as a penalty," said Melissa Maddox, military services manager for the online-only Ashworth College in Norcross, Ga. "So many of them are working adult students, it's obviously much more conducive for them to do online studies. They still have housing expenses, even though they're taking online classes."

The BHA is paid directly to students. To apply for the allowance, visit the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

Vets and distance learning

Like other adult learners, many veterans gravitate towards online programs because of the flexibility and convenience of taking virtual courses while juggling work and family responsibilities.

"Our classes being online, they don't have to worry about being in class at six o'clock on Tuesdays and Thursdays––they can study late at night and on weekends," Maddox said.

Beyond the convenience factor, distance learning is a familiar concept for vets because many of them start taking courses online during their years of service, according to Ginny Newman, assistant director for military education at Penn State.

"They have a history and are comfortable using distance learning," Newman says. "They started with a school with distance learning and want to finish there."

Distance learners have the unique ability to access institutions and programs far from their homes. The Penn State World Campus has more than 8,500 students who have access to over 70 online professional certificates, associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs. About 14 percent of its enrollment consists of veterans. Ashworth offers over 115 degree programs, and about 10 percent of its 50,000 students are vets.

Virtual location works best

Because the vast majority of veterans return to their original state of residence when they come home, often the only practical way to continue their education is through distance learning. That's especially true for veterans with disabilities, who can remain near their support networks and still be able to take advantage of online degree programs.

"Having distance learning is a way to continue their education when they may be location bound and where they have a support network," Newman says.

Virtual education communities also offer ways to support their veteran students. Ashworth, for example, includes a veterans' portal as part of its social communities for students, and also has a veterans' chapter in its student association. Penn State's World Campus has trained its academic advisors and admissions staff to address the specific needs of veterans and military personnel and their dependents.

Still, distance learning may not work for every student and every major, whether students are veterans or not.

"It's a very personal choice, depending on the kind of experience they want to have," Newman says. "Some veterans want to have the traditional experience of going to campus, while others may be in a different life stage in terms of maturity and responsibilities. Both have great value and provide excellent opportunities for veterans to improve their lives."

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