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. 

2020-2021 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.