UMass Amherst has signed on to help more veterans receive a college education as part of the Veteran’s Administration’s voluntary Yellow Ribbon Program, a provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
UMass Amherst will welcome its first “Yellow Ribbon” veterans in September. The university has signed on to help more veterans receive a college education as part of the Veteran’s Administration’s voluntary new Yellow Ribbon Program, an enhanced provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
The Post-9/11 GI bill, which goes into effect in August, provides very generous educational benefits. It covers the cost of tuition and fees for eligible vets; benefits are tied to in-state public university rates. It also provides a monthly housing allowance as well as a yearly stipend for books and supplies. In effect, eligible vets may now attend UMass Amherst essentially for free.
As part of the new Yellow Ribbon Program, UMass Amherst can now provide greater support to eligible out-of-state vets, who pay higher tuition and fees. Under the Yellow Ribbon provision, UMass Amherst will fund half the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees, while the Veteran’s Administration will cover the other half.
“We’re participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program because we didn’t want out-of-state students to miss out on this tremendous benefit,” says Eileen Stewart, associate dean of students and head of veteran’s affairs. “It’s an important way we can support our vets.”
For information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Yellow Ribbon Program, visit www.gibill.va.gov.