Yellow Ribbon Program

The Yellow Ribbon Program is a voluntary agreement between the VA and participating schools to cover tuition and fee costs that exceed the Post-9/11 GI Bill's annual cap. This is especially important for veterans attending private universities, out-of-state public universities, or graduate programs where tuition exceeds what the GI Bill pays.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers up to the full in-state tuition rate at public schools. For private and foreign schools, it covers up to an annual cap (approximately $28,937.94 for the 2024–2025 academic year). If your school's tuition exceeds these limits, the Yellow Ribbon Program can fill the gap.

The Yellow Ribbon Program uses a cost-sharing model between the school and the VA:

1. The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays tuition up to its annual cap
2. The school waives (contributes) a portion of the remaining tuition balance
3. The VA matches the school's contribution dollar for dollar

Example

To use the Yellow Ribbon Program, you must meet the following requirements:

• 100% Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit level: You must be entitled to the maximum benefit rate. Veterans with less than 100% (e.g., 80% or 90%) are not eligible for Yellow Ribbon.
• Fry Scholars: Children and spouses receiving benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship are eligible.
• Purple Heart recipients: Veterans with a Purple Heart may be eligible when using transferred benefits under certain conditions.
• Transferred benefits: Dependents using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits may be eligible if the transferring service member qualifies.

Who Is Not Eligible

• Active-duty service members: Tuition is already covered through Tuition Assistance (TA) or the GI Bill. Active-duty members are not eligible for Yellow Ribbon.
• Spouses of active-duty service members using transferred benefits are not eligible.
• Veterans with less than 100% Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit level.

Participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program is entirely voluntary — schools choose whether to participate and set their own terms. This means:

• Not all schools participate. Many do, but it is not universal. Always verify before enrolling.
• Schools set the contribution amount. Some schools cover the full remaining tuition gap. Others may contribute a fixed dollar amount (e.g., $5,000 per year).
• Schools can limit the number of students. A school might offer Yellow Ribbon to only 50 students per year, or it might have unlimited spots. Once the spots are filled, additional students are not covered.
• Not all programs within a school may be covered. A university might participate in Yellow Ribbon for undergraduate programs but not for its law school or medical school, or vice versa.
• Participation can change year to year. A school that participates this year may adjust its contribution amount, covered programs, or number of available spots next year.

The VA maintains a searchable database of all schools participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program, including the contribution amounts and number of available spots for each program.

Search Yellow Ribbon Participating Schools on VA.gov

You can filter by state, school name, and program type. The tool shows:

• The school's contribution amount per student
• The number of students the school will cover
• Which degree levels and programs are included

There is no separate application for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Here is how the process works:

1. Confirm your GI Bill benefit level: Make sure you are at the 100% benefit level. You can check on VA.gov or on your Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
2. Verify the school participates: Use the VA's search tool (linked above) to confirm the school and your specific program are covered.
3. Enroll at the school: Apply for admission and enroll normally.
4. Contact the school's VA certifying official: Let them know you want to use the Yellow Ribbon Program. The certifying official (usually in the registrar or financial aid office) handles the enrollment certification.
5. The school certifies your enrollment to the VA, including your Yellow Ribbon participation. The VA and school handle the payments directly — you should not need to pay the Yellow Ribbon-covered portion out of pocket.

• Not all schools participate. Do not assume your school offers Yellow Ribbon — always verify before enrolling, especially if you are counting on it to cover your tuition gap.
• Not all programs at a school may be covered. A university might offer Yellow Ribbon for undergraduate studies but not for specific graduate programs. Check the specific program you plan to enroll in.
• Availability can change year to year. Schools can change their contribution amounts, the number of spots available, or the programs covered from one academic year to the next. Confirm each year.
• Limited spots fill up. At schools with a capped number of Yellow Ribbon students, spots may fill quickly. Contact the school's VA certifying official early to express your interest and ask about the timeline.
• Yellow Ribbon does not cover housing or books. It only covers tuition and fees above the GI Bill cap. Your Monthly Housing Allowance and books stipend come from the Post-9/11 GI Bill separately.
• You must maintain eligibility. If you drop below full-time enrollment or lose your 100% GI Bill benefit level, you may lose Yellow Ribbon coverage for that term.
• Check with the school's VA certifying official directly. They are your best resource for understanding how Yellow Ribbon works at their specific institution. Every school administers it a little differently.

• Yellow Ribbon Program Overview — VA.gov
• Yellow Ribbon Participating Schools Search — VA.gov
• GI Bill Comparison Tool — VA.gov