Yellow Ribbon Program
The Yellow Ribbon Program, part of the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, is a voluntary program that allows universities to fund additional tuition expenses that exceed the amount of the core benefit provided by the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, which is capped at $22,805.34 if a student is attending a private institution from August 1, 2017 - July 31, 2018. Institutions participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program can contribute up to 50 percent of the expenses that exceed the base benefit. The Department of Veterans Affairs then matches the amount provided by the institution.
Widener Law Commonwealth has elected to fund all eligible JD students with an unlimited contribution per student, not to exceed the cost of tuition.
Eligibility
The following requirements are for individuals interested in applying for the Yellow Ribbon Program at Widener Law Commonwealth:
- Must be a Juris Doctor (JD) student for the 2017-2018 academic year;
- Must provide a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility approved for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®
at the rate of 100 percent with at least five months of eligibility remaining.
There is no minimum number of credit hours required for participation, and awards continue in subsequent years in which the student maintains satisfactory academic progress, conduct, and attendance.
How does it work?
For example, a regular division JD student (15 credit hours/semester) with combined support from the Post-9/11 GI Bill®
and Yellow Ribbon Program for the 2017-2018 academic year is as follows:
| Widener Law Commonwealth Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $44,548 |
Less: Post-9/11 GI Bill® *Mandatory cap for private institutions 8/1/17 - 7/31/18* |
($22,805.34) |
| Less: Widener Law Commonwealth Yellow Ribbon Program Grant | ($10,871.33) |
| Less: VA Yellow Ribbon Program Match | ($10,871.33) |
| Remaining Student Obligation | -0- |
The Yellow Ribbon Program covers tuition and mandatory fees and does not include room and board or books and supplies, which are provided for separately under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.
Students interested in applying for the Yellow Ribbon Program should take note of the following requirements:
- In order to be considered for the program, a student must be a JD student for the 2017-2018 academic year.
- You must have applied to the VA for Post 9/11 GI Bill® benefits and be approved to receive the maximum (100%) basic benefits under the Post 9/11 GI Bill®.