by our College Data Analytics TeamWill you go to Pillar 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 Pillar. Housing and book benefits are covered separately below.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Veteran tuition & fees | $24,820 |
| Guaranteed Post-9/11 tuition benefit | $20,235 |
| Tuition out of pocket | $4,585 |
Because the Post-9/11 tuition benefit is capped near $20,235 per year, tuition above the cap is the veterans responsibility at Pillar.
Pillar 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.
DoD Tuition Assistance pays up to $250 per credit hour for active-duty students; here is how the per-credit charge at Pillar compares.
| Residency | Per-credit charge | Below $250 cap? |
|---|---|---|
| In-state | $700 |  |
| Out-of-state | $700 | |
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 Pillar.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Estimated living expenses (room & board, academic year) | $24,000 |
| Post-9/11 monthly housing allowance (MHA) | $4,515/mo |
| Housing benefit (academic year, ~8 months) | $36,120 |
| Estimated surplus in your pocket | $12,120 |
The benefit generally more than covers off-campus living costs here. 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 $1,500 in supply costs at Pillar, leaving about $500 out of pocket.
Beyond the coverage math above, this is how much veteran education-benefit money actually flows to Pillar.
Roughly 5 Post-9/11 recipients used tuition benefits worth $96,205.
| Benefit | Recipients | Total disbursed | Average / recipient |
|---|---|---|---|
| GI Bill® (all students) | 6 | $92,636 | $15,439 |
| GI Bill® — undergraduate | 5 | $71,931 | — |
| GI Bill® — graduate | 1 | $20,705 | — |
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.