GI Bill Update
The DoD released the 2010 Basic Allowance for Housing charts This is potentially big news for veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill because the housing stipend is directly tied to the BAH for an E-5 with dependents.
January 12, 2010
The DoD released the 2010 Basic Allowance for Housing charts This is potentially big news for veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill because the housing stipend is directly tied to the BAH for an E-5 with dependents. Although some may see their GI Bill Living stipend increase by as much as 13.6% in 2010, the average increase will be more like 2.5%. Some may see no increase at all because the rates for 43% of the military housing areas covered by BAH will actually drop in 2010. The first question is, when will this new BAH rate go into effect for the GI Bill? Will it be increased in January or will they wait until July and increase it with the annual tuition and fee rate adjustment? Also, what will the VA do in cases where the local BAH has dropped? The DoD has a grandfathering policy that prevents the decrease of a BAH rate as long as the status of a servicemember remains unchanged. In the case of a veteran student this should mean that a current student will not see a decrease in their living stipend. Only new students or those changing their status would see the lower rate. As always, it seems there are more questions with the Post-9/11 GI Bill then there are answers.