Rate of Pursuit

Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill®

Full-time status for Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)/Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) or monthly stipend purposes is determined by the VA’s “Rate of Pursuit,” which considers the number of credits you enroll in and the length of the semester.

The student must maintain a Rate of Pursuit of 51% or greater to qualify for any Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA). Additionally, to maximize benefits, at least one class must be taken on campus.

Chapters 30, 31, 35, and 1606

Full-time status for monthly stipend purposes is determined by the VA’s “Rate of Pursuit,” which considers the number of credits you enroll in and the length of the semester.

Since Polk State College semesters may be shorter than the standard semester length, use the following formula to determine entitlement eligibility for courses taken:
18 x the number of credits taken, divided by the length of the semester, measured in weeks.
18 x 4 = 72.  72/6 = 12.

Example Explained:
You have registered for one 4-credit course, for a total of four credits, which run for six weeks.
18 x 4 (# of credits) = 72.
Divide 72 by 6 (# of weeks).
Equals 12 (credit hour equivalent in full semester).
Using the above example, the VA would consider 4 undergraduate credit hours to be equivalent to 12 credits, or full-time attendance, for that semester.