by our College Data Analytics TeamWondering what the G.I. Bill® actually covers at Swarthmore? GI Bill® benefits are limited and differ by school, so the specifics matter.
Here is how the Post-9/11 GI Bill® tuition benefit stacks up against the published cost of attending Swarthmore. See the living-expense and book sections below for those benefits.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Veteran tuition & fees | $62,412 |
| Guaranteed Post-9/11 tuition benefit | $20,235 |
| Tuition out of pocket | $42,177 |
The Post-9/11 GI Bill® caps the annual tuition benefit (about $20,235), so the tuition above that is a gap veterans must cover through Yellow Ribbon, savings, or other aid at Swarthmore.
Swarthmore 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. Roughly 3 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.
DoD Tuition Assistance pays up to $250 per credit hour for active-duty students; here is how the per-credit charge at Swarthmore compares.
| Residency | Per-credit charge | Below $250 cap? |
|---|---|---|
| In-state | $0 |  |
| Out-of-state | $0 | |
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 Swarthmore.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Estimated living expenses (room & board, academic year) | $18,964 |
| Post-9/11 monthly housing allowance (MHA) | $2,682/mo |
| Housing benefit (academic year, ~8 months) | $21,456 |
| Estimated surplus in your pocket | $2,492 |
For most full-time students the housing allowance covers the cost of living off campus, with money left over. 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; Swarthmore estimates these costs at about $760, so the stipend covers them in full.
Beyond the coverage math above, this is how much veteran education-benefit money actually flows to Swarthmore.
Approximately 7 veterans received Post-9/11 GI Bill® tuition payments of $132,265.
| Benefit | Recipients | Total disbursed | Average / recipient |
|---|---|---|---|
| GI Bill® (all students) | 6 | $107,602 | $17,934 |
| GI Bill® — undergraduate | 6 | $107,602 | — |
| DoD Tuition Assistance (all) | 0 | $0 | — |
| DoD TA — undergraduate | 0 | $0 | — |
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.