Today Congressman Dan Maffei announced that several Central New York colleges and universities will participate in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program, to provide financial assistance for college to veteran GIs. The Yellow Ribbon Program is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008.
Congressman Maffei said: “Our young veterans have made extremely significant sacrifices on behalf of our country, so I am proud to announce young servicemen and women will now have more opportunities to afford higher education. Thanks to the Yellow Ribbon Program, many Central New York colleges and universities will help young veterans get the education they need, and will strengthen our workforce for years to come.”
In the 25th Congressional District, Syracuse University, Le Moyne College and Columbia College will participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which is run by the US Department of Veterans Affairs. A number of other schools in the Rochester and Central New York area will participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program as well. These schools will provide benefits for education beginning on August 1, 2009.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill subsidizes up to the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition and fees. However, GIs attending private universities, graduate schools, or who are from out-of-state, may incur higher tuition costs. The new Yellow Ribbon Program provides funding for tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate. Under the Program, an institution may cover up to 50% of those extra expenses, and Veterans Affairs will match the amount.
To be eligible to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, students must qualify for the maximum benefit rate under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. 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; and,
- 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.
Schools participating in the Yellow Ribbon program will determine the maximum number of students that may participate in the program and the percent of tuition that the school will contribute.
To find out more about the Yellow Ribbon Program, or to see if your university or college is participating in the Program, visit https://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/CH33/Yellow_ribbon.htm/.
