Posts Tagged ‘Yellow Ribbon Program’

Hi Daniel, This is all going to change on 1 August so I’m not sure if the way it is now is going to still be in effect when you start school.  As it is right now your Post 9/11 GI Bill  benefits allow you to go to any approved school in any state.  You will receive the maximum tuition rate per credit hour listed for that state regardless of where you live.

That means that if you attend school in Texas, you will receive the amount listed for Texas–not the amount listed for Wyoming.  The problem is that you will be more than likely be charged an out of state tuition by any college outside of Wyoming as you will not be a resident of the state.  The maximum tuition rates paid by the Post 9/11 GI Bill are based on in-state tuition so in most cases your total tuition will not be covered at states outside of Wyoming.

One way to get some additional assistance is to attend a Yellow Ribbon Program school.  Each participating school runs their program a little differently and you have to be accepted into the school’s program to be eligible for its benefits.  If you get into a school’s program, they will pay a portion of the amount of your tuition not covered by the Post 9/11 GI Bill and the VA will match their contribution.  Depending on which school you choose, all of your tuition over the in-state student rate could be covered.

It is also possible to establish residency in another state, but it normally takes at least a year.

After 1 August there will no longer be any individual state maximum tuition rates.  You can attend any approved state supported school in any state and the Post 9/11 GI Bill will cover your tuition and fees at an in-state tuition rate for as long as you have benefits. You can still use the Yellow Ribbon Program to cover the difference.

Hi Clifton.  Everything I have read about the coming changes to the Post 9/11 GI Bill shows the $17,500 to be an annual limit.  Nothing refers to it as being a limit for two consecutive semesters.  I would imagine it was set up that way as the majority of students attend two semesters of college each year.

DeVry University is a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program.  You might want to sit down with your VA Certifying Official or give them a call if you are out of state, and try to work out some sort of class schedule to where your classes can be spread out over the three semesters and each semester uses a part of the $17,500.  If you are accepted into the school’s Yellow Ribbon Program, the school and the VA should cover the amount each semester that isn’t covered by the $17,500.

I’m not sure it would work, but the VA Certifying Official might be able to come up with something.  If you have been attending school year round for a while, you must be nearing your degree and the end of your benefits, so whatever they arrive at shouldn’t have to be for many semesters.