by our College Data Analytics TeamWill you go to Covenant for free thanks to the G.I. Bill®? 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 Covenant. See the living-expense and book sections below for those benefits.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Veteran tuition & fees | $40,464 |
| Guaranteed Post-9/11 tuition benefit | $20,235 |
| Tuition out of pocket | $20,229 |
The Post-9/11 GI Bill® limits the annual tuition benefit to roughly $20,235, so tuition beyond that is out of pocket (or covered by Yellow Ribbon) at Covenant.
Through the Yellow Ribbon Program, Covenant College and the VA share the cost of tuition above the Post-9/11 cap. In the most recent year, about 10 students received Yellow Ribbon awards at this school.
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.
DoD Tuition Assistance pays up to $250 per credit hour for active-duty students; here is how the per-credit charge at Covenant compares.
| Residency | Per-credit charge | Below $250 cap? |
|---|---|---|
| In-state | $1,240 |  |
| Out-of-state | $1,240 | |
Beyond tuition, the Post-9/11 GI Bill® pays a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) while you are enrolled. Here is how that benefit compares to the estimated cost of living at Covenant.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Estimated living expenses (room & board, academic year) | $11,000 |
| Post-9/11 monthly housing allowance (MHA) | $2,088/mo |
| Housing benefit (academic year, ~8 months) | $16,704 |
| Estimated surplus in your pocket | $5,704 |
For most full-time students the housing allowance covers the cost of living off campus, with money left over. The MHA is based on the school’s ZIP code and is paid at the full-time rate for resident students.
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 Covenant run about $1,170, leaving about $170 out of pocket.
This is the real volume of GI Bill® and military tuition benefits paid out at Covenant.
Roughly 21 students drew Post-9/11 GI Bill® tuition benefits totaling $414,215.
| Benefit | Recipients | Total disbursed | Average / recipient |
|---|---|---|---|
| GI Bill® (all students) | 21 | $490,591 | $23,361 |
| GI Bill® — undergraduate | 19 | $463,772 | — |
| GI Bill® — graduate | 2 | $26,819 | — |
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.