by our College Data Analytics TeamWill you go to SWU 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 SWU. See the living-expense and book sections below for those benefits.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Veteran tuition & fees | $27,870 |
| Guaranteed Post-9/11 tuition benefit | $20,235 |
| Tuition out of pocket | $7,635 |
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 SWU.
Southern Wesleyan University is a Yellow Ribbon school: the institution and the VA jointly fund tuition that exceeds the GI Bill® cap. Roughly 7 students used Yellow Ribbon benefits here in the latest reporting year.
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 SWU is below that cap.
| Residency | Per-credit charge | Below $250 cap? |
|---|---|---|
| In-state | $1,200 |  |
| Out-of-state | $1,200 | |
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 SWU.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Estimated living expenses (room & board, academic year) | $9,183 |
| Post-9/11 monthly housing allowance (MHA) | $2,007/mo |
| Housing benefit (academic year, ~8 months) | $16,056 |
| Estimated surplus in your pocket | $6,873 |
The benefit generally more than covers off-campus living costs here. MHA amounts reflect the local housing rate for the school’s area.
Eligible veterans receive up to $1,000 a year for books and supplies; SWU estimates these costs at about $1,060, leaving about $60 out of pocket.
These figures show the GI Bill® and DoD Tuition Assistance dollars veterans and service members actually used at SWU.
In the latest reporting year, about 26 students drew Post-9/11 GI Bill® tuition benefits totaling $342,302.
| Benefit | Recipients | Total disbursed | Average / recipient |
|---|---|---|---|
| GI Bill® (all students) | 14 | $212,589 | $15,185 |
| GI Bill® — undergraduate | 12 | $200,949 | — |
| GI Bill® — graduate | 2 | $11,640 | — |
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.