by our College Data Analytics TeamHow much of the cost at South University, Columbia 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.
Here is how the Post-9/11 GI Bill® tuition benefit stacks up against the published cost of attending South University, Columbia. Living-expense and book benefits are addressed in their own sections below.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Veteran tuition & fees | $18,238 |
| Guaranteed Post-9/11 tuition benefit | $18,238 |
| Tuition out of pocket | $0 |
Because tuition is at or below the annual Post-9/11 benefit, the GI Bill® covers it in full at South University, Columbia.
South University-Columbia 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. About 2 Yellow Ribbon recipients were reported 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.
For active-duty students, Tuition Assistance covers up to $250 per credit hour — the indicators below show whether South University, Columbia is below that cap.
| Residency | Per-credit charge | Below $250 cap? |
|---|---|---|
| In-state | $435 |  |
| Out-of-state | $435 | |
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 South University, Columbia.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Estimated living expenses (room & board, academic year) | $8,925 |
| Post-9/11 monthly housing allowance (MHA) | $1,998/mo |
| Housing benefit (academic year, ~8 months) | $15,984 |
| Estimated surplus in your pocket | $7,059 |
At this school the academic-year housing benefit exceeds typical living costs, so most full-time students come out ahead. Your actual MHA depends on your rate of pursuit and the school’s location.
Eligible veterans receive up to $1,000 a year for books and supplies; South University, Columbia estimates these costs at about $1,500, leaving about $500 out of pocket.
Beyond the coverage math above, this is how much veteran education-benefit money actually flows to South University, Columbia.
Approximately 72 Post-9/11 recipients used tuition benefits worth $855,100.
| Benefit | Recipients | Total disbursed | Average / recipient |
|---|---|---|---|
| GI Bill® (all students) | 46 | $449,901 | $9,780 |
| GI Bill® — undergraduate | 39 | $383,460 | — |
| GI Bill® — graduate | 7 | $66,441 | — |
| DoD Tuition Assistance (all) | 3 | $4,995 | $1,665 |
| DoD TA — undergraduate | 3 | $4,995 | — |
| DoD TA — graduate | 0 | $0 | — |
GI Bill® benefits follow the veteran; DoD Tuition Assistance is an active-duty benefit paid while serving.
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.