The Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Yellow Ribbon Program

What is the Post 9/11 GI Bill?

The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service after September 10, 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. The Post-9/11 GI Bill also offers some service members the opportunity to transfer their benefits to dependents.

Through the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the VA will pay a percentage of a student’s net cost for tuition & fees (after the application of any waiver, scholarship, aid or assistance) to Stevenson, and makes housing and other payments directly to students. Stevenson will receive a percentage, as determined by the length of active duty service, up to $19,198.31 per academic year; the maximum rate the VA will pay to any private college or university for 2013-14 (the tuition and fees were capped at $18,077.50 for the 2012-13 academic year).

In addition a student may also be directly paid:

  • A monthly housing allowance (MHA) equal to the basic allowance for housing (BAH) amount payable to an E-5 with dependents, in same zip code as your school.  This allowance is paid proportionately based on your enrollment (this means the payments are prorated to the semester dates, so for this spring MHA is paid from January 17 – May 6). If you are attending school at the 1/2 time or less rate, or are on active duty or the spouse of an active duty member receiving transferred benefits, you will not receive any MHA. If you are enrolled solely in distance learning (online classes) you will receive a housing allowance equal to 1/2 the national average.
  • A yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1000, paid proportionately based on enrollment.

What is the Yellow Ribbon Program?

The Yellow Ribbon program is part of the Post 9/11 GI Bill specifically designed for students wishing to attend private colleges and universities. For the 2013-14 academic year, Stevenson offers unlimited enrollment to eligible students.

Who is eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program?

Only veterans entitled to the maximum benefit rate (based on service requirements) or their designated transferees may receive this funding. Active duty service-members and their spouses are not eligible for this program (child transferees of active duty service-members may be eligible if the service-member is qualified at the 100% rate).

What does Yellow Ribbon mean from a financial standpoint?

For the academic year 2012-13, the VA will pay a maximum of $18,077.50 to any private college or university, based on a student’s percentage of eligibility. For students who are eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program, Stevenson and the VA will split any remaining tuition and fees charges 50/50 so that they are covered in full. Please note that tuition and fees do not include on-campus housing or meal plan charges, and these still need to be paid by the student.

How can a veteran obtain more specific information about the Post 9/11 GI Bill?

The best place to go is to the VA website which is updated regularly. 

How do I apply for the Post-9/11 GI Bill?

Students should submit their application online through the VA.  The VA will determine eligibility and will send the student a letter which will indicate their percentage of benefits (40-100% based on length of service), as well as the amount of time awarded.  Learn more and apply >

For information on how to apply to transfer benefits to dependents, visit the GI Bill website. 

Please contact our School Certifying Official, Kymber Taylor, with any questions about this or any other VA educational benefits at 443-334-2610 or e-mail: kltaylor@stevenson.edu.