Yellow Ribbon 2020

Yellow Ribbon Open Season has begun. We are asking all Institutions of Higher Learning to review this email which identifies current procedures and upcoming changes to school requirements for the Yellow Ribbon Program.

VA is now accepting modifications to terms of existing Yellow Ribbon Program agreements and soliciting for initial participation from Institutions of Higher Learning.

If your school is currently participating, your open-ended agreement will be automatically renewed with the same terms unless you submit a request for changes or submit a request for withdrawal.

Note, no further action or communication is required if your institution does not need to modify terms of its agreement. The agreement form and instructions, the cover letter, and FAQs have been posted at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/yellow_ribbon/yellow_ribbon_info_schools.asp.  Schools participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program for the 20-21 academic year should be posted to our website in June, 2020.

WHAT IS CHANGING: For all institutions that will have a Yellow Ribbon Agreement in place for the academic year starting on 1 August 2020, please be aware that a procedural change has been implemented beginning August 1, 2020.  Schools must now denote specifically their Yellow Ribbon funding as “Yellow Ribbon” on ledgers rather than an indication of scholarship.  Please fully review the updated Yellow Ribbon FAQs on the website, information is provided in FAQ number 23. This change is in place to ensure that schools accurately apply required scholarships to net cost of tuition and fees prior to determining the unmet costs relevant to Yellow Ribbon funding. Schools must report the actual net cost for in-state tuition and fees after the application of any waiver of, or reduction in, tuition and fees, and any scholarship, or other federal, state, institutional, or employer-based aid or assistance (excluding Title IV aid) that is designated for the GI Bill student for tuition and fees.

Please immediately notify your school President and/or financial representative, if appropriate, to ensure that they are aware of this information and understand that any modifications to existing agreements and any new agreements must be submitted no later than May 15, 2020.  Please inform students that the listing of institutions participating in the YR Program for the 20-21 academic year will not be reflected on VA’s website until June, 2020.

Thank you for your interest in the Post-9/11 GI Bill Yellow Ribbon Program.