Yellow Ribbon Program
What is the Yellow Ribbon Program?
The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher learning (degree granting institutions) in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate. The institution can contribute up to 50% of those expenses and VA will match the same amount as the institution.
The Institution of Higher Learning (IHL) must agree to:
How Does the Yellow Ribbon Program Benefit the Student?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays up to the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition. The student’s tuition and fees may exceed that amount if they are attending a private institution, graduate school or attending in a out-of-state status. If they are enrolled at a Yellow Ribbon participating institution and the tuition and fees exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition, additional funds may be available for their education program without an additional charge to their entitlement.
Institutions that voluntarily enter into a Yellow Ribbon Agreement with VA choose the amount of tuition and fees that will be contributed. VA will match that amount and issue payment directly to the institution.
Who Is Eligible?
Only individuals entitled to the maximum benefit rate (based on service requirements) may receive this funding. Therefore, they may be eligible if:How will Students Know A School is Participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program?
They must be enrolled in an approved program offered by an IHL.
When Will Benefits under the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program Be Available?
Benefits are payable for training pursued on or after August 1, 2009. No payments can be made under this program for training pursued before that date.
How Much Money is Payable Under the Yellow Ribbon Program?
Question: What portion of tuition and fees charges will be considered under the Yellow Ribbon Program?
Answer: The difference of the amount charged to the student and what has been paid by VA as educational assistance.
The following steps are provided to determine the difference for one student:
Step 1: Student’s enrolled credit hours reported by the institution to the VA x Max Credit Hour Charge for the State = Maximum Tuition Payable
Step 2: Compare the Maximum Tuition Payable with the amount charged the student and VA will pay the institution the lesser amount
Step 3: Compare the Maximum Single Term Fees for your State with what you have charged the student. VA will pay the institution the lesser amount.
Step 4: Add what VA has paid for tuition and fees and compare with total amount charged to the student. Institution charges that exceed what as already been paid by VA are the difference that could be applied to the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Step 5: Determine how much of the difference, up to one-half of that amount, that the institution will agree to cover with funds of the institution and the VA will match that amount.
Example: The student enrolled in 12 credit hours during the Fall term and your institution charged the student $5,000 for tuition and $1,200 in fees. The Maximum Per Credit Hour for the State = $250 and Maximum Fees for a single term = $1,000:
Steps 1 and 2: 12 credit hours x $250 = $3,000 - VA will pay $3,000 of the $5,000 tuition charged
Step 3: VA will pay $1,000 of the $1,200 fees charged
Step 4: VA has paid $4,000 of the $6,200 charged the student. $2,200 could be applied to the Yellow Ribbon Program
Step 5: Your institution can choose to contribute up to $1,100 of this amount and VA will match that contribution.
PLEASE NOTE: The amounts provided by the States on the corresponding table are not for the academic year 2009-2010. Also, the amounts used in the above examples do not relate to any specific State.
For Additional Information
Yellow Ribbon Program Documents
Letter from VA Secretary Peake explaining the Yellow Ribbon Program
Final Reminder letter from VA Secretary Shinseki on Yellow Ribbon Program Participation
Letter from Director, VA Education Service containing participation survey