Yellow Ribbon Program

Covers private, out-of-state, foreign or graduate tuition above the Post-9/11 GI Bill cap, matched by the school, for a student at the 100% benefit level.

Also called: Yellow Ribbon, private school GI Bill, out-of-state tuition, graduate tuition.

For: Veteran or service member, spouse, child.

Where it applies

Applies in states and territories.

Federal

The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays in-state public tuition in full, but caps private and foreign school tuition at $30,908.34 for the 2026-27 academic year (August 1, 2026, to July 31, 2027). The Yellow Ribbon Program fills part or all of the gap: a participating school waives part of the remaining tuition and VA matches the school's amount. The student must be at the 100% Post-9/11 benefit level, by 36 months of active duty, a Purple Heart after September 10, 2001, 30 continuous days with a service-connected discharge, or as a Fry Scholar. An active-duty member with 36 months, or a spouse using an active-duty member's transferred benefits, has qualified since August 1, 2022. Schools choose how many students they cover, at which level of study, and for how much. Places are first come, first served. Check the GI Bill Comparison Tool for a school's current agreement.

Thresholds

Thresholds for Yellow Ribbon Program
Gate	Rule
100% Post-9/11 level	The student must be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill at the 100% level, and the school must take part.

Figures

Each figure is dated with the day it was read. A local figure moves whenever the statute or the local ordinance does, so confirm it with the office that grants it before you rely on it. Statute verified gives the day the weekly section check last found the statute standing on the legislature’s own code site; a figure without it rests on a statute the check does not read yet.

Dated figures for Yellow Ribbon Program
Figure	Amount	Read from
Private and foreign tuition cap, August 1, 2026, to July 31, 2027	$30,908.3438 U.S.C. 3313(c)(1)(A)(ii)	Post-9/11 GI Bill ratesRead 2026-10-08

Sources

Yellow Ribbon ProgramOfficial
Post-9/11 GI Bill ratesOfficial

Updated

Last updated 2026-10-08.

What changed then:

First published.

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Disclaimer

VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.