Welcome to the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program Overview
As a current or former servicemember interested in pursuing an online education, financial assistance may be available to you. The Post-9/11 GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon programs were created to help improve upon the original Montgomery GI Bill.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for qualifying military members and their dependents to use for financial support when it comes to education, housing and books. Although successful in many ways, the Montgomery GI Bill limited options as to where education could be completed. It also required students to pay tuition out-of-pocket and then wait for reimbursement. To learn more about the Post-9/11 GI Bill, visit www.vets.gov
How the Post-9/11 GI Bill Works
- Cost of tuition and fees will not exceed the most expensive in-state undergraduate tuition at a public institution of higher education.
- The Yellow Ribbon program can offset the difference in cost for a private institution’s tuition and fees.
- Tuition is paid directly to the school, rather than to the student.
- Tuition and fee benefits are not taxable.
- You may be allotted a maximum annual book stipend of $1,000.
- If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you can pursue your master’s or PhD.
Who is Eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
- Servicemembers who have served 90-days active duty service in the military or reserves, and have been honorably discharged.
- Servicemembers who have served 3 years active duty.
- Former servicemembers who have received a medical discharge and served less than 90-days, as long as they served at least 30-days active duty after September 10, 2001.
Florida Tech, the Yellow Ribbon Program and You
The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement program allows degree-granting institutions in the United States, such as Florida Tech, to voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition (as explained above). Participating institutions can contribute up to 50% of those expenses and VA will match the same amount as the institution. The Yellow Ribbon program also aids students who choose to pursue an online education program because they are not eligible for a housing allowance. For more information about the Yellow Ribbon program and how it can enhance your Post-9/11 GI Bill tuition assistance at Florida Tech, please visit www.vets.gov
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As of July 2009, Florida Tech joined the ranks of approximately 700 colleges and universities across the nation participating in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement program. Since then, Florida Tech University Online has waived some costs for 250 students enrolled in undergraduate programs. Florida Tech, a U.S. News & World Report-ranked Best University, has always stood by its servicemember students – whether by providing military discounts or participating in government-led initiatives such as the Yellow Ribbon program.
For more information regarding Florida Tech’s online degree programs, please contact Katie Werner at cwerner@fit.edu, (321) 674-8207.