Chapter 33: Post-9/11 GI Bill®

How do your benefits work at FIU?

• How do I use my education benefits?

  Request to have your classes certified each semester you wish to use your benefits.

  Submitting Enrollment Cert Request

• How will I receive this benefit?

  Chapter 33 students are eligible to receive three main education benefits each enrollment period they use their benefits:

  1. Tuition Payment: The VA will cover up to 100% of your in-state tuition and fees associated to courses required for your degree plan.
  2. Book Stipend: The VA will award students a book stipend each semester they are enrolled. The book stipend is limited to $1,000.00 each year.
  3. Housing Stipend: Students enrolled more than 1/2 time (51% or more) are eligible to receive a housing stipend.
• Tuition payment information

  FIU will report 100% of your in-state tuition costs to the VA. The VA will cover the percentage you have been awarded (this can be found on your COE). For example, if your tuition and fees for a semester are $2,600.00 and you were awarded Chapter 33 benefits at 60%, the VA should pay FIU $1,560.00. The remaining tuition balance is the student's responsibility. 

• Book stipend information

  The VA awards recipients of Chapter 33 benefits a book stipend each semester they use their benefits. Students will receive approximately $41.67 per credit hour they are enrolled, not to exceed $500.00 a semester and the yearly amount cannot exceed $1,000.00. This also depends on your award percentage. For example, if you are awarded Chapter 33 benefits at 60% and you enroll in 12 credits in a semester, your book stipend will be calculated as follows: (12 x $41.67) x 60% = $300.00

• Monthly housing allowance information

  Students with a Rate of Pursuit (RoP) greater than 50% (51% or more) receiving Chapter 33 GI Bill benefits may be eligible for a monthly housing allowance (MHA) while they they are enrolled in courses. The MHA rate is equivalent to the BAH rate of an E-5 with dependents for the school's zip code when taking in-person courses. This is also affected by your award percentage (Chapter 33 at 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100%).

  To help explain this two samples will be listed below. Both will be enrolled 3/4 time and be awarded Chapter 33 benefits at 90%. For a full month of enrollment, the VA counts 30 days of enrollment. The only difference between the two samples is that the first one (A) will have in-person courses while the second sample (B) has only online courses: 

  Formula: (RoP) x (MHA Rate) x (Award %) x (days enrolled)/30 = $

  A) 3/4  x  $2,352.00  x  90%  x  30/30  =  $1,587.60
  B) 3/4  x   $  901.00  x  90%  x  30/30  =  $ 608.18

  What is the monthly housing allowance (MHA) rate?

  Your MHA is the same as the monthly military Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents. It may vary based on these factors:

  • Use the GI Bill^® Comparison Tool to calculate your MHA payment
  • Check the current payment rates for the Post-9/11 GI Bill^®
  • Understand your benefits (PDF)
• What if I am still on active duty?

  For trainees on active duty, payment is limited to reimbursement of tuition and fees for the training taken. Active duty members and spouses of active duty members are not eligible to receive MHA from the VA.

• Does the VA require me to verify my enrollment/attendance?

  Yes, to ensure you are still enrolled and receive your MHA the VA requires you to verify your enrollment at the end of each month. You can do so via one of several methods offered by the VA. More info can be found here.

• Additional information

  Additional information is available at these links:

  • Find out how we determine your percentage of Post-9/11 GI Bill^® benefits
  • Find out how we determine your Post-9/11 GI Bill^® coverage
  • Check your GI Bill^® Statement of Benefits