Veteran’s Benefits and the Yellow Ribbon Program

Important: Be sure to review recent changes to the Post 9-11 GI Bill effective August 1, 2011 by going to the VA website.

What is the Yellow Ribbon Program?

The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veteran’s Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher learning (degree granting institutions) in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed the $18,077.50 (for the academic year) tuition and fees maximum. The institution can contribute up to 50 percent of those expenses and VA will match the same amount as the institution.

Who is eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program?

Only individuals entitled to the 100 percent benefit rate (based on service requirements) may receive Yellow Ribbon Benefits from Mills College and the VA. We encourage all veterans to review the eligibility criteria directly from the VA’s website.

General eligibility requirements for the Yellow Ribbon Program include:

• Student served an aggregate period of duty after September 11, 2001, of at least 36 months.
• Student was honorably discharged from active duty for a service connected disability and served 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001.
• Student is a dependent eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill based on a veteran’s service under the eligibility criteria listed above.

What are Mills College Yellow Ribbon benefits?

Mills College participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program and grants tuition assistance to persons who provide documentation of eligibility at the 100 percent level of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Tuition assistance is provided to the student throughout their time at Mills provided the following applies:

• Mills College continues to participate in the program,
• The student remains in good academic standing,
• The student has remaining entitlement, and
• The student has reached the $18,077.50 tuition and fees maximum required by the VA to activate the Yellow Ribbon benefits under the revised Post-9/11 GI Bill effective August 2012. 

While Mills is committed to helping all students achieve their educational goals, our participation in the program will be evaluated annually and the amount of tuition assistance is subject to change.

Mills has agreed to contribute the following tuition assistance for the 2012-2013 academic year after the VA $18,077.50 tuition and fee maximum has been reached.

• For undergraduates, Mills will pay 50 percent of the unmet net tuition and fees up to $12,000 in an academic year.
• For graduates, Mills will pay 50 percent of the unmet net tuition and fees up to $7,500 in an academic year.
• Mills' contribution is already included in any institutional scholarship or grants.

How do I apply for Veterans Education Benefits and/or the Yellow Ribbon Program?

Complete and submit an application form with the VA online.

You will need to enter the facility code for Mills College. It is 3-1-3500-05.

If you are eligible, the Department of Veterans Affairs will send you a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) that specifies both your benefits and your eligibility for the Yellow Ribbon portion of the benefits.

Submit the COE (or confirmation of Transfer of Entitlement for dependants, if applicable) and a completed Yellow Ribbon Program Application to the M Center. For those veterans that are not under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, submit the COE to the M Center.

For questions regarding the COE, contact the Veteran’s Administration at 1-888-GIBILL1 (1.888.442.4551) to speak with an Education Case Manager.

Upon receipt of the COE and Yellow Ribbon Program Application, if applicable, the VA Certifying Official will verify your eligibility for the Yellow Ribbon Program and forward your documentation to Financial Aid. Once the application has been processed, the Yellow Ribbon benefits will be posted to your financial aid award.

After you have registered for classes, the VA Certifying Official will submit a certification of enrollment to the VA electronically. The VA will send funds for tuition and fees or Yellow Ribbon, if applicable, directly to Mills College.

It is important you report any VA benefits paid directly to you by the VA to Financial Aid.

Will I get the Yellow Ribbon Benefits every year?

While Mills is committed to helping all students achieve their educational goals, our participation in the program will be evaluated annually and the amount of tuition assistance is subject to change.

For additional information go to the VA website.