The "Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program" (i.e., Yellow Ribbon Program) is a provision of the "Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008." Under this program, University of Cincinnati has entered into an agreement with VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed Ohio's highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate for student-veterans who are drawing on their Chapter 33 benefits. University of Cincinnati will award institutional aid to a set of maximum dollar amounts.
Per U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs regulations, to receive benefits under the Yellow Ribbon Program:
- You must be eligible for the maximum benefit rate under the Post-9/11 GI Bill;
- University of Cincinnati must have not offered Yellow Ribbon to more than the maximum number of individuals stated in its participation agreement with VA;
- University of Cincinnati must certify your enrollment to VA, including Yellow Ribbon program information. This will require you to adhere to all UC registration and VA educational benefits policies and procedures so as to ensure timely processing.
For comprehensive Yellow Ribbon Program eligibility information, review the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs website.
University of Cincinnati Yellow Ribbon Maximums
University of Cincinnati will accommodate up to a maximum of fifty (50) Yellow Ribbon students for the 2011-2012 academic year. Students will be allotted Yellow Ribbon benefits on a first-come-first-served basis up to the established student-category maximums.
The maximum number of students per student-category and the maximum dollar amount provided by UC per category will be as follows:
- Twenty-five (25) undergraduate students. Each student will be awarded up to a maximum of $2,420.50 for each of Autumn, Winter and Spring terms (Summer term is not included) for a maximum of $7,261 per student for the academic year;
- Fifteen (15) graduate students. Each student will be awarded up to a maximum of $1,791.50 for each of Autumn, Winter and Spring terms (Summer term is not included), for a maximum of $5,374.50 per student for the academic year;
- Five (5) College of Law students. Each student will be awarded up to a maximum of $3,895 for each of Autumn and Spring terms, for a maximum of $7,790 per student for the academic year; and
- Five (5) College of Medicine MD Program Students. Each student will be awarded up to a maximum of $2,758.33 for each of Autumn, Winter and Spring terms (Summer term is not included) for a maximum of $8,275.00 per student for the academic year.
Once the maximum number of students per category has been reached, additional Yellow Ribbon applications for that category will be denied.
The student will be responsible for any tuition and fee charges that exceed the per-term and annual maximum amounts established above. To reduce their per-term tuition and fee charges, student-veterans are strongly encouraged to review their eligibilty for Ohio residency classification under the "Ohio GI Promise" and take action as appropriate.
Applying for Yellow Ribbon Program Benefits
Step 1: Follow and Complete All VA and Registrar's Office Procedures for Obtaining Your Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits (Chapter 33)
Yellow Ribbon Program benefits can only be applied to UC tuition charges that exceed Ohio's highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate as established by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs for the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Therefore, you cannot be awarded payment of Yellow Ribbon Program benefits unless you are first accepted by VA and certified by the UC Registrar's Office Veteran Educational Benefits area for Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) benefits.
Follow the procedures for obtaining your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Step 2: Complete and Submit the "Yellow Ribbon Program Application Form"
Apply for Yellow Ribbon benefits by submitting a completed Yellow Ribbon Application Form to the Office of the Registrar’s Veteran Educational Benefits area (University Pavilion, 5th floor).
Students will be allotted Yellow Ribbon benefits on a "first-come-first-served" basis up to the established student-category maximums.
Once you have been verified by the Registrar's Office for both Chapter 33 benefits and Yellow Ribbon Program benefits, your tuition bill for the term will be credited with the appropriate amount.
Step 3: Complete and Submit the "Chapter 33 Promissory Note Agreement"
Under the “Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008,” University of Cincinnati will receive separate Chapter 33 and Yellow Ribbon Program payments for the pursuit of eligible enrollment in approved programs each term for the academic year directly from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs for the percentage of the student’s tuition and fee for which the student qualifies, as determined by VA. In recognition of this pending payment, University of Cincinnati will credit the student’s tuition and fee bill each term for the amount of tuition and fees covered by Chapter 33 and Yellow Ribbon Program benefits once the student completes the Chapter 33 Promissory Note agreement and submits that form to the Registrar's Office Veteran Education Benefits area.
If you have not completed and submitted this form as part of applying for your Chapter 33 benefits, you must do so before the Bursar's Office will apply the Chapter 33/ Yellow Ribbon credit to your tuition and fee bill.
Questions?
If you have questions about UC's participation in the VA Yellow Ribbon Program and/or the steps outlined above, contact the Office of the Registrar, Veterans Educational Benefits area. The Office of the Registrar is located on the 5th floor of the University Pavilion building.
The Veterans Educational Benefits area's operating hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., (Eastern Standard Time). The office's telephone number is 513-556-6811.