The Yellow Ribbon Program helps eligible veterans cover tuition costs not fully paid by the Post-9/11 GI Bill®. This guide explains how the program works for veterans, when it’s most useful, and how to use it strategically after military service.
This guide is designed for:
If you’re pursuing education as part of your transition to civilian life, the Yellow Ribbon Program may help reduce out-of-pocket costs. Dependent on your eligibility and school choice.
The Yellow Ribbon Program is a provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill® that helps cover tuition costs beyond what the GI Bill® pays at participating schools.
When a school participates:
Participation and benefits vary by institution.
For veterans, Yellow Ribbon is typically used after service, not during active duty.
Key points to understand:
Because of this flexibility, understanding how a specific school participates is essential.
Yellow Ribbon benefits are often most helpful when:
It’s especially valuable when combined with careful school and degree selection.
Many veterans can further lower costs by shortening time to completion.
Options may include:
Reducing time to degree can amplify the value of Yellow Ribbon benefits.
→ Turn military experience into college credit
Yellow Ribbon participation is determined by individual colleges and varies by location.
Rather than reviewing a national list, most veterans start by exploring options by state and then reviewing school-specific participation details.
Most students begin their search based on location. Select a state to see participating schools, eligibility details, and program availability in that area.
Covering tuition is important — but outcomes matter too.
RoEDUâ„¢ helps veterans compare schools and degrees using cost, time to completion, and outcomes, so you can understand the long-term value of your education choices after benefits are applied.