Since the 2009-10 academic year, the George Washington University has been a proud participant of the Yellow Ribbon Program. GW will continue its commitment to the program, for the fourth year, during the 2013-2014 academic year.

In 2008, the GI Bill was updated with the enactment of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, giving veterans with active duty service on, or after, September 11, 2001, enhanced educational benefits that cover more educational expenses, provide a living allowance, money for books and the ability to transfer unused educational benefits to spouses or children.  The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program or YRP) is a provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. 

This program allows institutions of higher learning (degree granting institutions) in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to fund tuition expenses that exceed the maximum base pay amount.

Please note that effective August 1, 2013, the Post 9/11 GI Bill will payup to $19,198.31 per academic year for private universities, including the George Washington University (GI Bill Base Benefit).  The VA will, in addition, match GW contributions under the Yellow Ribbon Program.

The 2013-2014 GW Yellow Ribbon Participation Form is available through the Student Veteran Portal on GWeb.

A. STUDENT APPLICATION POLICY/PROCEDURES FOR THE YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM.

Forms are processed on a first-come, first-served basis with the following limitations:

Under this commitment, GW will:Students should read this entire posting carefully.

• Provide tuition assistance to veterans beyond what they are provided from their base GI Bill rate of compensation.  The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will match GW’s contribution dollar-for-dollar up to 50% of the difference between the student’s tuition benefit (which includes the GI Bill Base Benefit) and the total cost of tuition and fees.
• Enable up to  175 YRP-qualified undergraduate students (for certain programs; others are unlimited) and an unlimited number of YRP-qualified graduate students to receive benefits for the 201-2013 academic year.  This is expected to cover all YRP-qualified individuals enrolled as degree-seeking.

Under this commitment, YRP participants should note:

• Pursuant to University and VA Policy, the combination of University aid and outside aid designated for tuition (such as GI Bill Base and Yellow Ribbon Program Benefits) shall not exceed the cost of tuition and fees.
• Neither non-degree students nor visiting undergraduate students from other institutions are eligible, under University policy, to participate in GW’s Yellow Ribbon Program.
• GW cannot certify YRP benefits retroactively. GW will not certify any student for past semesters in which a student may have been eligible for YRP benefits, but did not properly enroll with the University to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Yellow Ribbon qualified UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS will receive:

• GI Bill Base Benefit: $19,198.31 per admitted YRP-qualified undergraduate per year; plus
• Yellow Ribbon Program Benefit:
  • GW shall provide up to $18,000 per YRP-qualified undergraduate per year, not to exceed the cost of net tuition and fees, plus          
  • The VA shall provide funds to match GW up to 50% of the difference between the student’s tuition benefit (which includes the GI Base Bill Benefit) and the total net cost of tuition and fees.  At GW, this means that the VA will match up to $18,000.
• The total benefit should, depending on program and course of study, enable most YRP-eligible undergraduates to attend GW at no cost (tuition and fees only).
• Tuition and required fees only are included in these educational benefits.
• Study Abroad fees can not be included, because they are not a required part of any undergraduate program at GW.
• Example:  Undergraduate Student A, a YRP-qualified student, has tuition costs of $45,780 per year.  Undergraduate Student A will receive $19,198.31 as a GI Bill Base Benefit.  This leaves a remaining tuition cost of $27,702.50.  GW will provide half of that amount in YRP benefits, and the VA will match the other half that is equivalent to 50% of the remaining net tuition cost.  In this scenario, Undergraduate Student A will have a balance of $0 for tuition.  

Yellow Ribbon qualified GRADUATE STUDENTS will receive:

• GI Bill Base Benefit: $19,198.31 per admitted YRP-qualified graduate student per year; plus
• Yellow Ribbon Program Benefit:
  • GW shall provide up to $12,000 per YRP-qualified graduate per year, not to exceed the net cost of tuition, plus          
  • The VA shall provide funds to match GW up to 50% of the difference between the student’s net tuition benefit (which includes the GI Base Bill Benefit) and the total cost of tuition and required fees.  At GW, this means that the VA will match up to $12,000
• The total benefit should, depending on program and course of study, enable YRP-eligible graduate students to attend GW at a significant discount.
• Net tuition and required fees only are included in these educational benefits.

Yellow Ribbon qualified LAW STUDENTS will receive:

• GI Bill Base Benefit: $19,198.31 per admitted YRP-qualified graduate student per year; plus
• Yellow Ribbon Program Benefit:
  • GW shall provide up to $15,400 per YRP-qualified graduate per year, not to exceed the net cost of tuition, plus          
  • The VA shall provide funds to match GW up to 50% of the difference between the student’s net tuition benefit (which includes the GI Base Bill Benefit) and the total cost of tuition and required fees.  At GW, this means that the VA will match up to $15,400.
• The total benefit should, depending on program and course of study, enable YRP-eligible graduate students to attend GW at a significant discount.
• Net tuition and required fees only are included in these educational benefits.

B. PROCEDURES APPLICABLE TO CONTINUING STUDENTS.

1. Continuing students who completed the GW Request for Participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program form for the 2013-2014 academic year, must confirm their participation in the program for the 2013-2014 academic year by completing the GW Request for Participation Form for the 2013-2014 academic year and submitting it to the Office of Veteran Services.  Failure to submit this confirmation in a timely manner will result in the student's removal from the Yellow Ribbon Program participation list. Students who have graduated, withdrawn, or transferred from GW should notify the Office of Veteran Services immediately.

2. Once registered, students must, each semester in which they are enrolled, complete a GW Request for Certification Form and submit to the Office of Veteran Services.

3. For VA certification purposes, students must contact the GW Veteran Services Office if they add or drop courses after their initial registration and as a result, the number of their credit hours changes. A change in the number of credit hours will require adjustments in your enrollment certification for benefits and could also affect your student account.

C. PROCEDURES APPLICABLE TO NEW STUDENTS.

1. Students should apply for and receive confirmation of admission to the program of their choice at the George Washington University (GW) (non-degree students, active duty individuals, and spouses using a transferred benefit from an individual on active duty are not eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program), and they should confirm that the program is a VA-approved program by visiting the Department of Veterans Affairs website.

2. Students should determine eligibility for the Yellow Ribbon Program on the Department of Veterans Affairs' Yellow Ribbon Program Information website.

3. Students should apply, if they are eligible, for education benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

4. Students should be sure to make an informed decision concerning their choice of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.  There are typically multiple educational benefit choices for individuals with military experience.  It is our understanding that once selected, benefit choices are irrevocable.  For further information on benefits, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs website.

5. Eligible students, upon admittance to GW, should fill out the GW Request for Participation Form and must submit confirmation of their eligibility for the Yellow Ribbon Program to the Office of Veteran Services at least three weeks prior to the beginning of the student's academic coursework. For many programs, this deadline is by August 7, 2013 for the fall term and December 15, 2013 for the spring term.  Such confirmation may be in the form of a U.S. Department of Veteran Services Certificate of Eligibility for the Post 9/11 GI Bill.  GW processes the Request for Participation forms on a first-come, first-served basis.  Students may scan and e-mail, fax, or drop this form off at Colonial Central, and a GW Veteran Services representative will contact the student to confirm receipt of the form. Failure to submit this confirmation in a timely manner will result in the student's removal from the Yellow Ribbon Program participation list.

6. Once registered, students must, each semester in which they are enrolled, complete a GW Request for Certification Form and submit to the Office of Veteran Services.

7. For VA certification purposes, students must contact the GW Veteran Services Office if they add or drop courses after their initial registration and as a result, the number of their credit hours changes.   A change in the number of credit hours will require adjustments in your enrollment certification for benefits and could also affect your student account.

More information about the Yellow Ribbon Program is available on the Department of Veteran Affairs website.