What is the yellow ribbon program?

The Yellow Ribbon Program is a provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill that allows institutions of higher learning in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to fund tuition and fee expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate.

Under the Yellow Ribbon Program, participating schools can contribute a specified amount of funding, which the VA will then match dollar for dollar, to cover the remaining tuition and fee costs for eligible veterans and their dependents. This helps to make higher education more affordable for veterans and their families by reducing or eliminating out-of-pocket expenses for tuition and fees.

The Yellow Ribbon Program is typically available to veterans who have served at least 36 months of active duty since September 11, 2001, and who meet certain eligibility requirements. Each participating institution sets its own contribution amount and determines the number of students it will support under the Yellow Ribbon Program, so availability and benefits may vary from school to school.

Overall, the Yellow Ribbon Program is a valuable resource for veterans and their dependents seeking higher education opportunities and can help to bridge the financial gap between GI Bill benefits and the cost of attending college or university.