The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) is a provision of the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher learning, such as Chestnut Hill College, to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed the VA’s yearly national cap. Chestnut Hill College has entered into an agreement with the VA to match up to 50% of those expenses that the VA will match, making the Veteran’s out of pocket expense $0. (This does not include room/board).

The G.I. Bill^® may be the most common VA education program. There are four eligibility categories, with the most common being those individuals who 1) entered active duty on or after July, 1985 and 2) contributed $100.00 a month for 12 months had have an honorable discharge.

REAP provides educational assistance to members of the Reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency declared by the president or Congress.

Reservists are eligible for education benefits or increased benefits to pursue college degrees and other training.

There are two main GI Bill^® programs offering education assistance to survivors and dependents of Veterans:

The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship) is available for children and spouses of Service members who died in the line of duty after September 2001.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs regulations require that all persons using any type of veteran educational assistance programs make satisfactory academic. A student who fails to meet the minimum standards will be placed on academic probation, and the VA will be notified.

If satisfactory academic progress has not been demonstrated, veteran educational benefits could be terminated until such progress can be demonstrated. Benefits may be resumed when the veteran student raises his/her cumulative grade point average (GPA) to the required minimum standards or demonstrates the ability to meet these standards. Last date of attendance will be reported to the VA if a student stops attending courses, but does not officially withdraw.

Veteran students are required to request and have evaluated all prior college and university credit received prior to, during and after military service. This is to ensure that the VA does not pay for coursework twice and that students receive the most from their benefits. If you wish Chestnut Hill College to request your military transcript (except Air Force) please fill out the Request for Military Transcript Form.

“GI Bill^®” is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill