by our College Data Analytics TeamWondering what the G.I. Bill® actually covers at SMWC? 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 SMWC. See the living-expense and book sections below for those benefits.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Veteran tuition & fees | $33,490 |
| Guaranteed Post-9/11 tuition benefit | $20,235 |
| Tuition out of pocket | $13,255 |
Because the Post-9/11 tuition benefit is capped near $20,235 per year, tuition above the cap is the veterans responsibility at SMWC.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods 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.
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 SMWC is below that cap.
| Residency | Per-credit charge | Below $250 cap? |
|---|---|---|
| In-state | $150 |  |
| Out-of-state | $150 | |
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 SMWC.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Estimated living expenses (room & board, academic year) | $7,312 |
| Post-9/11 monthly housing allowance (MHA) | $1,500/mo |
| Housing benefit (academic year, ~8 months) | $12,000 |
| Estimated surplus in your pocket | $4,688 |
For most full-time students the housing allowance covers the cost of living off campus, with money left over. Your actual MHA depends on your rate of pursuit and the school’s location.
With a Post-9/11 book stipend of up to $1,000 per year, the estimated $1,600 in supply costs at SMWC, leaving about $600 out of pocket.
These figures show the GI Bill® and DoD Tuition Assistance dollars veterans and service members actually used at SMWC.
Approximately 24 Post-9/11 recipients used tuition benefits worth $182,200.
| Benefit | Recipients | Total disbursed | Average / recipient |
|---|---|---|---|
| GI Bill® (all students) | 17 | $157,789 | $9,282 |
| GI Bill® — undergraduate | 13 | $107,324 | — |
| GI Bill® — graduate | 4 | $50,465 | — |
| DoD Tuition Assistance (all) | 1 | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| DoD TA — undergraduate | 0 | $0 | — |
| DoD TA — graduate | 1 | $1,500 | — |
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.