Yellow Ribbon

The VA Yellow Ribbon program allows veterans to attend private universities and avoid excessive out-of-pocket education costs. While the Post-9/11 GI Bill typically provides full tuition benefits at public universities, it features a “ceiling” of benefits for private and foreign institutions. For institutions where tuition exceeds this ceiling, the Yellow Ribbon Program bridges the gap through school contributions and matching federal funds. Not all schools participate in Yellow Ribbon, but a large number of them do.

A medical school education is expensive for veterans and non-veterans alike. While students can take several financial aid paths, active duty, qualifying spouses and school-age dependents, and veterans also have the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon program. These programs significantly expand veterans’ opportunities to attend some of the nation’s top medical schools without the burden of additional financial strain. 

Explore the Top 10 best yellow ribbon HBCU programs for education and support at historically Black colleges and universities.