Yellow Ribbon Program

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 the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate.

To receive benefits under the Yellow Ribbon Program:

• You must be eligible for the maximum benefit rate under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®*
• You must not be on active duty or a spouse using transferred entitlement
• Your school must agree to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program
• Your school must have not offered Yellow Ribbon to more than the maximum number of individuals, as stated in their participation agreement
• Your school must certify your enrollment to VA and provide Yellow Ribbon Program information

You may be eligible if you fit the following circumstances:

• You served an aggregate period of 36 months in active duty after Sept. 10, 2001
• You were honorably discharged from active duty for a service-connected disability and you served 30 continuous days after Sept. 10, 2001.
• You are a dependent eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill® based on the service eligibility criteria listed above.

Students will need to submit the UMD VA Enrollment Certification Request form. Per federal regulations, eligible recipients will be selected on a first-come, first-serve basis.

*GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website. 

Yellow Ribbon Agreement Details:

1) Schools or colleges listing "Undergraduate and Graduate" in the Degree Level column are permitted to offer a Yellow Ribbon Program scholarship to the associated maximum number of students regardless of degree level.