by our College Data Analytics TeamWill you go to Mercyhurst 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 Mercyhurst. Living-expense and book benefits are addressed in their own sections below.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Veteran tuition & fees | $44,510 |
| Guaranteed Post-9/11 tuition benefit | $20,235 |
| Tuition out of pocket | $24,275 |
Because the Post-9/11 tuition benefit is capped near $20,235 per year, tuition above the cap is the veterans responsibility at Mercyhurst.
Mercyhurst University is a Yellow Ribbon school: the institution and the VA jointly fund tuition that exceeds the GI Bill® cap. Roughly 13 students used Yellow Ribbon benefits here in the latest reporting year.
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 Mercyhurst is below that cap.
| Residency | Per-credit charge | Below $250 cap? |
|---|---|---|
| In-state | $590 |  |
| Out-of-state | $590 | |
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 Mercyhurst.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Estimated living expenses (room & board, academic year) | $11,250 |
| Post-9/11 monthly housing allowance (MHA) | $1,509/mo |
| Housing benefit (academic year, ~8 months) | $12,072 |
| Estimated surplus in your pocket | $822 |
At this school the academic-year housing benefit exceeds typical living costs, so most full-time students come out ahead. 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 Mercyhurst run about $1,200, leaving about $200 out of pocket.
Beyond the coverage math above, this is how much veteran education-benefit money actually flows to Mercyhurst.
Approximately 61 students drew Post-9/11 GI Bill® tuition benefits totaling $1,015,122.
| Benefit | Recipients | Total disbursed | Average / recipient |
|---|---|---|---|
| GI Bill® (all students) | 63 | $992,940 | $15,761 |
| GI Bill® — undergraduate | 42 | $714,618 | — |
| GI Bill® — graduate | 21 | $278,322 | — |
| DoD Tuition Assistance (all) | 13 | $22,406 | $1,724 |
| DoD TA — undergraduate | 5 | $1,656 | — |
| DoD TA — graduate | 8 | $20,750 | — |
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.