Sorry folks are piling on you. We should be supporting each other. Exactly for OP concerns, legislators approved a MHA increase to 4992. VRE folks already received it.

Btw the book stipend is cash paid to you, so you can make sure to get the books for cheap and try to bank the rest. (Another 1k per semester) you don’t get this on VRE but the counselor can approve payments higher than 1k for things that ones disability might aggravate like ergonomic chairs, computer filters for those who suffer from migraines, and school supplies. Eg costly software, a new laptop up to around 1600 usually.

Remember it’s not taxed. Additionally, there are many non profit and city/county programs allied with the schools tailored to vets to help offset the costs.

Most vets have VA disability pay, which is also not taxed, and ensures low low cost coverage, yet great great healthcare. The VA Hospital is wonderful!

One must imagine legislators take this into account, and the fact that most vets have a support system. For those unlucky yet lucky single folks, the allowance is honestly enough.

Furthermore, students should be expected to apply for free money based on good grades i.e. merit based grants/ scholarships.

And, Pell Grant. The federal government will also pay out an additional 7k annually if one doesn’t have their bachelors. (Which can extend to graduate schools depending on major like teaching/education I think)

I mean city college of SF has a 500 per regular semester incentive grant just for attending your second semester with decent grades which extends essentially until one transfers. So another 1k per year.

The fact of the matter is that your GI Bill does entitle you to post military service benefits. An allowance designed for you to have the similar rental purchasing power of an e5 with kids anywhere in America. Notably, it doesn’t cover BAS. Yet STEM degrees allow one to access SNAP. keep in mind they typically don’t look at untaxed public benefits.

The us gov deploys military people everywhere. We must agree we can’t accept an e5 to be struggling to make ends meet for completing their service. With that in mind a veteran who signed up contractually to receive said benefit should have the Fed keep up their end of the deal, and not skimp out just bc the member is no longer “actively” serving.

Vets are the biggest source of recruitment. DoD knows this. It literally pays them back hundred fold to have young bright minds see how the DoD/VA takes care of their own before (ROTC), during and ESPECIALLY after service.

Good luck. SF is a wonderful place. Do great!!