The Yellow Ribbon Program

The Yellow Ribbon Program is a provision of the Post 9/11 GI Bill. The program allows students to attend universities that normally would not be within their financial perimeters by covering up to 100% of the additional tuition expenses not covered through the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

If you are attending a private college, graduate school, or a campus with non-resident status, review the lists of participating schools to see if you may qualify for Yellow Ribbon Program benefits. In addition to attending a participating school, the student must meet one of the following criteria:

• Served an aggregate period of active duty after September 10, 2001, of at least 36 months;
  
• Were honorably discharged from
  active duty for a service connected disability and also served 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001;
  
• Are a dependent eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
  
  

Students receive Yellow Ribbon Program benefits at participating schools on a first-come first-served basis, regardless of the rate at which they pursue training in any given academic year. Once a student is elected as a candidate for the Yellow Ribbon Program, they continue to receive benefits during subsequent academic years until the completion of their education (or the exhaustion of the Post 9/11 GI Bill), provided the student maintains satisfactory progress, conduct, and attendance.

How the Yellow Ribbon Program Works

The Post 9/11 GI Bill pays up to the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition and fees. Many students have tuition and fees that exceed the amount provided. A Yellow Ribbon Program participating school offers to waive a certain portion of the excess tuition the Post 9/11 GI Bill does not cover, and the VA matches how much they waive.

For example, if a student has a tuition cost of $500 after their Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits, and a Yellow Ribbon Program participating school waivers $250, the VA will cover the other $250, leaving the student with zero additional out-of-pocket expenses.

Participating schools in the Yellow Ribbon Program may limit how many students they provide this benefit to each year. Applying early increases the chances of receiving benefits.

For More Information

The VA can answer your specific GI Bill benefit questions. Call 1-888-GIBILL-1 to get personalized information and support.

For further reading, visit the Veterans Benefits GI Bill blog. The Veterans Benefits GI Bill blog provides continuous, up-to-date information on the Post 9/11 GI Bill and all of its provisions and benefits.