by our College Data Analytics TeamWondering what the G.I. Bill® actually covers at Bluffton? The answer depends on the school — benefits are capped and the details vary, so it pays to do your research.
The table below compares the guaranteed Post-9/11 tuition benefit to the cost of attending Bluffton. Living-expense and book benefits are addressed in their own sections below.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Veteran tuition & fees | $36,298 |
| Guaranteed Post-9/11 tuition benefit | $20,235 |
| Tuition out of pocket | $16,063 |
The Post-9/11 GI Bill® caps the annual tuition benefit (about $20,235), so the tuition above that is a gap veterans must cover through Yellow Ribbon, savings, or other aid at Bluffton.
Bluffton University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which can cover tuition and fees beyond the Post-9/11 GI Bill® cap through matching funds from the school and the VA.
Seat counts and matching amounts change by program each year; verify the details with the schools military and veteran services team.
For active-duty students, Tuition Assistance covers up to $250 per credit hour — the indicators below show whether Bluffton is below that cap.
| Residency | Per-credit charge | Below $250 cap? |
|---|---|---|
| In-state | $800 |  |
| Out-of-state | $800 | |
The Post-9/11 GI Bill® also covers housing through a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA). The table compares the housing benefit to estimated living expenses at Bluffton.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Estimated living expenses (room & board, academic year) | $8,930 |
| Post-9/11 monthly housing allowance (MHA) | $1,569/mo |
| Housing benefit (academic year, ~8 months) | $12,552 |
| Estimated surplus in your pocket | $3,622 |
The benefit generally more than covers off-campus living costs here. MHA amounts reflect the local housing rate for the school’s area.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill® pays a books-and-supplies stipend of up to $1,000 per year. Estimated book and supply costs at Bluffton run about $1,600, leaving about $600 out of pocket.
These figures show the GI Bill® and DoD Tuition Assistance dollars veterans and service members actually used at Bluffton.
In the latest reporting year, about 6 veterans received Post-9/11 GI Bill® tuition payments of $52,931.
| Benefit | Recipients | Total disbursed | Average / recipient |
|---|---|---|---|
| GI Bill® (all students) | 3 | $31,551 | $10,517 |
| GI Bill® — undergraduate | 3 | $31,551 | — |
| GI Bill® — graduate | 0 | $0 | — |
GI Bill® benefits follow the veteran; DoD Tuition Assistance is an active-duty benefit paid while serving.
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at benefits.va.gov/gibill.