by our College Data Analytics TeamWondering what the G.I. Bill® actually covers at Samford? 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 Samford. Living-expense and book benefits are addressed in their own sections below.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Veteran tuition & fees | $38,144 |
| Guaranteed Post-9/11 tuition benefit | $20,235 |
| Tuition out of pocket | $17,909 |
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 Samford.
Samford University is a Yellow Ribbon school: the institution and the VA jointly fund tuition that exceeds the GI Bill® cap. In the most recent year, about 30 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 Samford compares.
| Residency | Per-credit charge | Below $250 cap? |
|---|---|---|
| In-state | $1,034 |  |
| Out-of-state | $1,034 | |
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 Samford.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Estimated living expenses (room & board, academic year) | $20,139 |
| Post-9/11 monthly housing allowance (MHA) | $2,229/mo |
| Housing benefit (academic year, ~8 months) | $17,832 |
| Estimated shortfall to cover yourself | $2,307 |
Expect to make up the shortfall between the housing benefit and actual living costs. 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 $1,200 in supply costs at Samford, leaving about $200 out of pocket.
This is the real volume of GI Bill® and military tuition benefits paid out at Samford.
In the latest reporting year, about 106 veterans received Post-9/11 GI Bill® tuition payments of $2,013,750.
| Benefit | Recipients | Total disbursed | Average / recipient |
|---|---|---|---|
| GI Bill® (all students) | 80 | $1,495,919 | $18,699 |
| GI Bill® — undergraduate | 52 | $1,043,089 | — |
| GI Bill® — graduate | 28 | $452,830 | — |
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.