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Yellow Ribbon FAQ

What's covered?
Qualified individals will receive payments depending upon the length of their post 9/11 service. Your rate of entitlement will be listed on your Certificate of Eligibility. If you haven’t received your COE yet, you can estimate your rate, here. Covered college costs include:

  • Tuition and fees (not to exceed the maximum in-state tuition and fees at a public institution of higher learning) are paid directly to the college by the VA.
  • A Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) based upon the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents using Clarkson’s zipcode (13699). The Rate of Pursuit must be greater than 50% to receive the MHA. Generally, that means you must be at least half-time (6 credit hours).
  • An annual books and supplies stipend of up to $1000 paid proportionately based on enrollment.

Who is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is for individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Your eligibility is ultimately determined by the VA.

Who is eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program?
Only individuals entitled to the maximum benefit rate (based on service requirements) may receive this funding. Therefore, you may be eligible if:
  • You served an aggregate period of active duty after September 10, 2001, of at least 36 months;
  • You were honorably discharged from active duty for a service connected disability and you served 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001;
  • You are a dependent eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post 9/11 GI Bill based on a veteran’s service under the eligibility criteria listed above.
  • You must be currently receiving benefits under Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill) in order to qualify for Yellow Ribbon benefits.

Is there a limit to the benefits if I'm a less than half-time student?
Yes - there is a limitation on Educational Assistance for Training Pursued at Half-time or Less. If your attend training at ½ time or less, you are not eligible for the monthly housing stipend. You are eligible for an appropriately reduced stipend for books.

I am on active duty, is there a limit to my benefits?
Yes, active duty members are not eligible for the monthly housing stipend or for the book stipend. Active duty members will also not receive any benefits under the Yellow Ribbon program as they are not subject to the ‘maximum in-state tuition rate’ limitation; Chapter 33 benefits will be paid at the 100% rate for those on active duty, thus making Yellow Ribbon unnecessary.

Can I transfer my GI Bill benefits to a family member?
Yes, but the details for doing so have not been completely clarified yet. Check this Department of Defense website for up to date information about Transferability.

How do I get started?
See the Steps to Obtaining Education Benefits section on the Information for Veterans page.