Yellow Ribbon Guide for Military and Veteran Students
The Yellow Ribbon Program is a benefit through the Department of Veteran Affairs that helps military members and veterans pay for tuition for higher out-of-state schools, foreign schools, graduate schools, or fees that the Post-9/11 GI Bill does not cover.
With the rising costs of higher education in the United States, the Yellow Ribbon Program positively impacts Veterans and their families by enabling them to have funding for their education without compromising their educational goals.
Read on to discover information about program eligibility, participating schools, obtaining the benefit, and how the program handles year-to-year changes.
Uses of the Yellow Ribbon Program
The Yellow Ribbon Program is intended to help veterans pay for the costs of higher education that exceed the amount that the Post-9/11 GI Bill will cover, including tuition and fees.
Because the Post-9/11 GI Bill has a maximum amount allowed by law that often doesn’t cover higher-cost tuition, the Yellow Ribbon Program is available to fill that gap. Specifically, the Yellow Ribbon Program applies to veterans attending the following:
- An out-of-state public university where the tuition is higher than the in-state rate offered by the GI Bill
- Private institutions where the tuition and fees are much higher than the funding given by the GI Bill
- In-state or out-of-state graduate schools that may be more costly than undergraduate degrees
- Professional programs like law or medical school
- International schools that participate in the program may have a higher cost than what the GI Bill will cover
The Yellow Ribbon Program covers mandatory fees for the education program but does not cover any fees that are not mandatory, such as room and board, study abroad (unless required by the degree program), or penalty fees, including late registration, returned checks, or parking fines.
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides an example of how the program works: if a veteran is attending a public school as an out-of-state student that charges $16,000 for out-of-state students and $10,000 for in-state students, the Post-9/11 GI Bill would pay the in-state cost of $10,000, and the Yellow Ribbon Program would pay the extra $6,000.
The Yellow Ribbon Program also matches the amount the school contributes to the program. For example, if the school funds $3,000 in tuition, the Yellow Ribbon Program will match that $3,000 so the veteran does not have to pay any higher education costs out of pocket.
Additionally, if state or institutional waivers already cover part of the tuition and fees, the VA will first determine how much the GI Bill will pay and match funding contributions to cover any remaining costs.
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Yellow Ribbon Eligibility
The most important thing to know about the Yellow Ribbon Program is that to receive the benefit, you must qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill at the 100% benefit level, and at least one of the following must be true:
- You served at least 36 months on active duty and were honorably discharged.
- You received a Purple Heart on or after September 11th, 2001, and were honorably discharged.
- You served at least 30 continuous days on or after September 11th, 2001, and were released from active duty for a service-related disability.
- You are an active-duty service member who has served at least 36 months.
- You are a spouse using the transferred benefits of an active-duty service member who has served at least 36 months on active duty.
- You are a dependent child using benefits transferred by a Veteran.
- You are a Fry Scholar.
Note that the 36 months of active-duty service requirement can be fulfilled through consecutive timing or with breaks in service.
To access the benefits of the Yellow Ribbon Program, you must meet the following baseline criteria:
- Your school is an institution of higher learning.
- Your school offers the Yellow Ribbon Program.
- Your school has not offered the Yellow Ribbon benefit to more students than the maximum number agreed upon with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Your enrollment in the higher education institution is certified, and you have provided the Yellow Ribbon Program with the required information.
School Participation
Not all colleges offer the Yellow Ribbon program. The participating schools help veterans by bridging funding gaps that may hinder their education. Many colleges and universities nationwide and even some international institutions participate in the program, giving veterans and their families extensive educational options.
A school that participates in the program is designated as a Yellow Ribbon School, and each institution has its specific agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs. This agreement defines specific program elements, like the maximum number of students participating per year and their funding level.
The Yellow Ribbon benefit has a few important caveats for those interested in applying for it. Participating schools offer this program on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on their specific agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Additionally, the amount of funding each Veteran student receives will look different for every person depending on factors including existing aid, the level of schooling you are seeking (undergraduate, graduate, doctoral), and the school term.
Prospective participants taking summer courses are encouraged to check with their school to see if the Yellow Ribbon Program benefits can be used during the summer term.
Notably, students do not have to be enrolled full-time to access this program, which benefits those working or raising families while pursuing higher education.
Use the CollegeRecon School Finder Tool to discover military and veteran-friendly schools.
Applying for the Yellow Ribbon Program
Once you have read the requirements and confirmed you are eligible to receive the Yellow Ribbon benefit, you can apply using the following steps:
- Apply for Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits to receive a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) that confirms you are qualified to receive benefits under the bill.
- Turn your CoE into the certifying official, financial aid, or military liaison at your educational institution and ask to apply for their Yellow Ribbon Program
- Your school will decide on whether or not they have already enrolled the maximum number of students for the program period and how much funding you will receive. This is determined by the amount of tuition and fees minus any other aid you have received from other sources.
- After the school has decided, you will receive a notice about whether or not they have accepted you and how much funding you will receive.
Changes from Year to Year?
If you are a veteran receiving funding from the Yellow Ribbon Program, you may be concerned about continuing benefits from one academic year to another.
The good news is that if your school continues to participate in the program, they are obligated to continue offering the benefits of the Yellow Ribbon Program at your current funding amount as long as you meet the following requirements:
- You continue to make reasonable progress toward completing your program according to your school’s standards
- You stay enrolled in the school without a break
- You have money left in your Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits. You can check the status of your benefits here.
If you take fewer courses, the Yellow Ribbon Program and the school will pay less for tuition and fees. The Yellow Ribbon Program will refund based on every school’s policy. If the program has overpaid fees for any person, the student is responsible for paying the VA back any amount the school does not fund.
Additionally, if you have taken a semester off, you can still receive funding through the Yellow Ribbon Program based on meeting the above requirements.
If you have transferred to a different school, your new school must offer the Yellow Ribbon Program and accept your enrollment application to continue receiving benefits. If, for any reason, your school plans to stop the Yellow Ribbon Program, it must inform you so you can make alternative arrangements in a timely manner.
Quick Tips for Using the Yellow Ribbon Program
- Ensure the school of your choice offers this program so that you have maximum funding options available
- Confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements under the Post 9/11 GI Bill
- Submit your CoE to your school early to increase your chances of receiving the benefit since the program operates on a first come, first serve basis
- When in doubt, contact a representative at your school if you have any questions or concerns
Get a free Education Guide for active duty, veterans, and spouses.