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Yellow Ribbon Program

March 25 to May 15 is the open season for the Yellow Ribbon Program for the 2019-20 academic year. Schools may apply for initial participation, modify existing open-ended agreements, take no action and continue to honor the terms of existing open-ended agreements, or withdraw from the Yellow Ribbon Program. Please see the cover letter and FAQs to determine the appropriate course of action. The cover letter and FAQs for the 2019 open season are available below:

NOTE:  You will be unable to fax documents to (202) 275-2636.  We encourage you to submit a signed agreement via email attachment to YellowRibbon.VBACO@va.gov by May 15, 2019.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

VA’s website will reflect participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program for the 2019-20 academic year in June. Please consider posting on the institution’s website that its participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program for the 2019-20 academic year will not be reflected on VA’s website until June. Schools participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program for the 2018-19 academic year are currently available.

2018 - 2019 Yellow Ribbon Program Participant List

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 either the annual maximum cap for private institutions or the resident tuition and fees for a public institution. 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:

  • Provide contributions to eligible individuals who apply for the Yellow Ribbon Program on a first-come first-served basis, regardless of the rate at which the individual is pursuing training in any given academic year;
  • Provide contributions during the current academic year and all subsequent academic years in which the IHL is participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program and the student maintains satisfactory progress, conduct, and attendance;
  • Make contributions toward the program on behalf of the individual in the form of a grant, scholarship, etc;
  • State the dollar amount that will be contributed for each participant during the academic year;
  • State the maximum number of individuals for whom contributions will be made in any given academic year.

Available Benefits and Eligibility

Veterans and dependents entitled to the maximum benefit rate, (including recipients of the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship) may receive this funding. Effective August 1, 2022, active duty service members may participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

More Information

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