Following are frequently asked questions (FAQs) concerning the Yellow Ribbon Program. Veterans and dependents must be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill at the 100% benefit rate in order to be eligible for Yellow Ribbon Program funds. The application process for these funds is addressed in FAQ #12.

1. What is the Yellow Ribbon Program? How will it benefit me?

The Yellow Ribbon Program is a provision of the law that was created by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The program allows approved institutions of higher learning (degree-granting institutions) and the VA to partially or fully fund tuition and fee expenses that exceed the established thresholds in each state under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The institution can contribute funds to cover unmet charges, and VA will match up to 50% of the same amount. Therefore, additional funds may be available to you to attend a private institution of higher learning, graduate school, or on out-of-state status.
Example: the highest in-state undergraduate tuition is $20,000, and the school’s program is $30,000. If the school participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program at the maximum rate, the school would contribute $5,000 and VA would pay the matching $5,000 amount to the school. Your tuition and fee costs would be zero in this example.

2. If I am eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, am I automatically eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program?

No. You must be eligible at the 100% benefit level to qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Likewise, dependents under the Transfer of Entitlement provision could be eligible only if they are at the 100% benefit level. (Active duty personnel are not eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program.)

3. How do I know whether the school I want to attend participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program?

This year’s list of participating Yellow Ribbon schools is posted on the GI Bill website at http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/CH33/YRP/YRP_List.htm.

4. If the school I plan to attend participates in the program, can I count on being in the program?

No. The school’s agreement with the VA may limit the number of participants in the program and is determined on a first-come, first-served basis. The school will notify each student accepted into the Yellow Ribbon Program.

5. If the school I plan to attend participates in the program, do all participants receive the same amount of Yellow Ribbon Program benefits?
Not necessarily. Schools have the flexibility to designate the number of students and contributions based on student status (undergraduate, graduate, doctoral) and college or professional school. For example, the school could specify $1,000 for undergraduates, $1,500 for graduate students, and $2,000 for doctoral students. The school also could specify $1,800 for students in the school of engineering and $2,500 for students in the school of nursing.

6. If I participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program this year, will I automatically be in the program next year?

Not necessarily. Yellow Ribbon Program agreements must be approved each year. A school with an approved agreement with VA must continue to offer it to you in subsequent years as long as the following conditions apply:

• The school continues to participate in the program;
• You maintain satisfactory progress towards completion of your program and remain continuously enrolled (per school’s policy); and
• You have remaining entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
• If you transfer to another school, the new school would have to participate in the program and accept your application; the first school’s decision has no bearing on the second school.

7. If I participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program this year, will I automatically be guaranteed the same matching contributions from the school and VA for subsequent years (provided the above conditions still apply)?

No. The school may choose to contribute a different amount for subsequent years.

8. Will all of my tuition and fees be paid for if my school participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program?

Not necessarily. The school’s agreement with the VA specifies an amount the school will contribute (and VA will match up to 50% of the unmet charges), which may or may not make up the entire difference in cost of tuition and fees. In addition, the school’s agreement with the VA may specify only certain colleges and/or professional schools, and/or undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral level programs. The list of schools on the website will include specific information on each school’s agreement with VA.

9. What happens when a portion of my tuition and fees is already met through state or institutional waivers?

The amount of tuition and fees charged will be used to determine the amount payable under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The VA will use the amount charged the student, even if that amount is later reduced by scholarships, loans, waivers, or other types of assistance. The unmet charges may be covered through Yellow Ribbon Program contributions.

10. What fees will be covered by Yellow Ribbon Program funds?

All mandatory fees for a student’s program of education may be included. Any fees that are not mandatory, such as room and board, study abroad (unless the study abroad course is a requirement for the degree program), penalty fees (such as late registration, return check fees, and parking fines) cannot be included. These fees are not payable under the Yellow Ribbon Program or under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

11. Do I have to attend full-time to be in the Yellow Ribbon Program?

No. You do not have to attend full-time.

12. How will I know for sure that I am eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program? What is the process to apply?

If you submit an application for the Post-9/11 GI Bill to VA and are eligible at the 100% benefit level, VA will issue you a Certificate of Eligibility advising that you are potentially eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program. You should provide your Certificate of Eligibility to the school which, in turn, will determine if there are slots available for the Yellow Ribbon Program (based on its agreement with the VA). If your school has already sent us an enrollment certification, and it is processed at the same time as your application, your award letter will also display your benefit level. The school is responsible for notifying you whether or not you are accepted and approved for the Yellow Ribbon Program. The school then submits an enrollment form to VA, certifying information that is used to make payment to the school for tuition and fees and for Yellow Ribbon Program payments.

13. How would I know if the school I am attending would discontinue its participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program for subsequent years?

The school must inform its students of discontinued participation.

14. Can I receive Yellow Ribbon Program funds for the summer term?

Yes, if the school still has Yellow Ribbon Program funds available for the per-student maximum contribution for summer term. Page 3 of 3 VBA Education Service August 2009

15. If I reduce my course load, how will my payments change?

The contributions from the school and VA would be reduced. Refunds are based on the school’s refund policy, and you would be liable to VA for any resulting overpayments.

16. If I leave my school but return after a semester, am I still approved for the Yellow Ribbon Program?

The school must continue to offer the Yellow Ribbon Program to you — provided that the school continues to participate in the program, you maintain satisfactory progress, and you remain continuously enrolled. The definition of continuous enrollment is dictated by the school’s policy and determines your continued eligibility for the Yellow Ribbon Program.

17. How do student loans, grants, and/or scholarships affect my Yellow Ribbon benefits and vice-versa?

tudent loans, grants, and/or scholarships do not affect your Yellow Ribbon benefits (or Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits). Due to a recent change in law, students should check with the Financial Aid Office at the school to see whether there are any changes to the aid packages, or check with 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243), 1-319-337-5665, or 1-800-730-8913 (TTY users).

18. Do the “maximum fees per term” listed on the tuition and fee table on the website coincide with my school’s quarters or semesters?
Yes. The “maximum fees per term” on the tuition and fee table applies to semesters and quarters.