by our College Data Analytics TeamWill you go to Drake State for free thanks to the G.I. Bill®? GI Bill® benefits are limited and differ by school, so the specifics matter.
The table below compares the guaranteed Post-9/11 tuition benefit to the cost of attending Drake State. Housing and book benefits are covered separately below.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Veteran tuition & fees | $5,130 |
| Guaranteed Post-9/11 tuition benefit | $5,130 |
| Tuition out of pocket | $0 |
Because tuition is at or below the annual Post-9/11 benefit, the GI Bill® covers it in full at Drake State.
There is no record that Drake State participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program in the latest federal data. Check directly with the school, since participation can change year to year.
DoD Tuition Assistance pays up to $250 per credit hour for active-duty students; here is how the per-credit charge at Drake State compares.
| Residency | Per-credit charge | Below $250 cap? |
|---|---|---|
| In-state | $44 |  |
| Out-of-state | $44 | |
The Post-9/11 GI Bill® also covers housing through a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA). Here is how that benefit compares to the estimated cost of living at Drake State.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Estimated living expenses (room & board, academic year) | $9,450 |
| Post-9/11 monthly housing allowance (MHA) | $1,947/mo |
| Housing benefit (academic year, ~8 months) | $15,576 |
| Estimated surplus in your pocket | $6,126 |
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 Drake State run about $2,000, leaving about $1,000 out of pocket.
This is the real volume of GI Bill® and military tuition benefits paid out at Drake State.
In the latest reporting year, about 42 students drew Post-9/11 GI Bill® tuition benefits totaling $135,337.
| Benefit | Recipients | Total disbursed | Average / recipient |
|---|---|---|---|
| GI Bill® (all students) | 25 | $93,567 | $3,743 |
| GI Bill® — undergraduate | 25 | $93,567 | — |
These are federal education benefits — the Post-9/11 GI Bill® for veterans and DoD Tuition Assistance for active-duty 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.