by our College Data Analytics TeamHow much of the cost at Rio Salado College will the G.I. Bill® cover? 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 Rio Salado College. See the living-expense and book sections below for those benefits.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Veteran tuition & fees | $2,358 |
| Guaranteed Post-9/11 tuition benefit | $2,358 |
| Tuition out of pocket | $0 |
Tuition and fees here fall within the annual Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefit, so eligible veterans typically owe nothing toward tuition at Rio Salado College.
Rio Salado College 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.
Available Yellow Ribbon seats and maximum contributions differ by program and degree level — check with the veteran services office for current limits.
DoD Tuition Assistance pays up to $250 per credit hour for active-duty students; here is how the per-credit charge at Rio Salado College compares.
| Residency | Per-credit charge | Below $250 cap? |
|---|---|---|
| In-state | $30 |  |
| Out-of-state | $30 | |
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 Rio Salado College.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Estimated living expenses (room & board, academic year) | $9,664 |
| Post-9/11 monthly housing allowance (MHA) | $2,514/mo |
| Housing benefit (academic year, ~8 months) | $20,112 |
| Estimated surplus in your pocket | $10,448 |
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.
With a Post-9/11 book stipend of up to $1,000 per year, the estimated $1,104 in supply costs at Rio Salado College, leaving about $104 out of pocket.
This is the real volume of GI Bill® and military tuition benefits paid out at Rio Salado College.
In the latest reporting year, about 1 students drew Post-9/11 GI Bill® tuition benefits totaling $204.
| Benefit | Recipients | Total disbursed | Average / recipient |
|---|---|---|---|
| GI Bill® (all students) | 129 | $109,442 | $848 |
| GI Bill® — undergraduate | 129 | $109,442 | — |
| DoD Tuition Assistance (all) | 131 | $91,035 | $695 |
| DoD TA — undergraduate | 131 | $91,035 | — |
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.