by our College Data Analytics TeamWill you go to CSU for free thanks to the G.I. Bill®? Coverage is not unlimited and varies school to school, so the fine print is worth checking.
The table below compares the guaranteed Post-9/11 tuition benefit to the cost of attending CSU. Living-expense and book benefits are addressed in their own sections below.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Veteran tuition & fees | $5,751 |
| Guaranteed Post-9/11 tuition benefit | $5,751 |
| Tuition out of pocket | $0 |
At public institutions the Post-9/11 GI Bill® pays in-state tuition and fees in full, meaning most eligible veterans pay no tuition at CSU.
Columbus State 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.
The exact number of seats and the maximum contribution vary by degree level and program, so confirm the current limits with the schools veteran services office.
For active-duty students, Tuition Assistance covers up to $250 per credit hour — the indicators below show whether CSU is below that cap.
| Residency | Per-credit charge | Below $250 cap? |
|---|---|---|
| In-state | $1,410 |  |
| Out-of-state | $1,410 | |
Beyond tuition, the Post-9/11 GI Bill® pays a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) while you are enrolled. The table compares the housing benefit to estimated living expenses at CSU.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Estimated living expenses (room & board, academic year) | $10,122 |
| Post-9/11 monthly housing allowance (MHA) | $1,788/mo |
| Housing benefit (academic year, ~8 months) | $14,304 |
| Estimated surplus in your pocket | $4,182 |
The benefit generally more than covers off-campus living costs here. Your actual MHA depends on your rate of pursuit and the school’s location.
Eligible veterans receive up to $1,000 a year for books and supplies; CSU estimates these costs at 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 CSU.
Approximately 324 students drew Post-9/11 GI Bill® tuition benefits totaling $1,302,827.
| Benefit | Recipients | Total disbursed | Average / recipient |
|---|---|---|---|
| GI Bill® (all students) | 135 | $213,618 | $1,582 |
| GI Bill® — undergraduate | 24 | $44,185 | — |
| GI Bill® — graduate | 111 | $169,433 | — |
| DoD Tuition Assistance (all) | 7 | $11,428 | $1,633 |
| DoD TA — undergraduate | 3 | $6,510 | — |
| DoD TA — graduate | 4 | $4,918 | — |
GI Bill® dollars are paid on the veterans behalf, while DoD Tuition Assistance supports active-duty service members.
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.