List of Yellow Ribbon Program Participating Schools

This afternoon, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs released their official list of schools participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program. Visit the previous link and click your state to find out which schools and universities near you are actively participating in this incredible program.

Explanation of the Yellow Ribbon Program

This program is an added provision of the Post 9/11 GI Bill that helps students by covering the financial costs associated with attending schools which they would otherwise be unable to afford. It provides up to 100% of tuition expenses not already covered through their current Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.

The Yellow Ribbon Program is especially useful for those service members and military dependents who are forced to spend cash out of pocket to attend their preferred educational institutions – but remember – to qualify for these benefits you must first attend a participating school! If you’re currently enrolled in a private college, graduate school, or a campus with non-resident status, you’ll need to review the list of participating schools to see if you qualify for the program.

If your school is not a participating member and you’re forced to shell out considerable amounts of money to continue your education, then consider transferring to another institution that’s willing to cover those costs!

If you’re looking for additional information from participating schools, we suggest contacting Saint Leo University and Hawaii Pacific University. Both of them made our list of the Top 25 Military Friendly Colleges list for 2010, and they offer significant benefits to members of the military (including participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program).

In addition to attending a participating school, you will also need to meet at least one of the following criteria to qualify for this programs benefits:

• Served an aggregate period of active duty after September 10, 2001, of at least 36 months;
• Were honorably discharged from active duty for a service connected disability and also served 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001;
• Are a dependent eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

Students receive Yellow Ribbon Program benefits at participating schools on a first-come first-served basis, regardless of the rate at which they pursue training in any given academic year. And once you begin receiving benefits from the Program, they will continue until you complete your education, or have exhausted your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits. You must, however, maintain satisfactory progress, conduct, and attendance in your program (each school has specific requirements for this, so be sure to check with your school to make sure you stay on track!).

How The Program Works

The Post 9/11 GI Bill pays up to the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition and fees, but many students have tuition expenses and fees that exceed the provided amount. A Yellow Ribbon Program participating school offers to waive a certain portion of this excess tuition and the VA matches however much the institution is willing to forfeit.

You’ll want to apply to the program as soon as possible through, since participating schools can limit the number of students they offer these benefits to on a yearly basis. Applying early increases the chances of receiving your benefits, so don’t wait around to get those forms turned in!

Get More Information

Sign up for our Free Military Education Handbook for additional information on Military Tuition Discounts, Scholarships, and other Academic and Financial Assistance Programs, or contact the VA at 1-888-GIBILL-1.