Yellow Ribbon Program

The Yellow Ribbon Program is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and participating higher education institutions that helps eligible veterans and their dependents pay for higher out-of-state, private school, foreign school, or graduate school tuition and fees that the Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn't cover. Under this program, participating schools contribute a certain amount toward extra tuition and fees through a grant, scholarship, or similar program, and the VA matches that contribution. To be eligible, applicants must qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill at the 100% benefit level. This includes veterans who served at least 36 months on active duty, received a Purple Heart after September 11, 2001, or were discharged due to service-connected disability after at least 30 continuous days of service. Eligible dependents include spouses and children using transferred benefits, as well as Fry Scholars. The school must be an institution of higher learning that participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program and has not exceeded the maximum number of students in their agreement with the VA. Enrollment is handled on a first-come, first-served basis, and schools determine the funding amount each student receives after subtracting other aid from tuition and fees.