Yellow Ribbon Program

The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement 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 in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed the tuition cap for private institutions in an academic year ($26,381.37 for 2022-2023). The institution can contribute up to 50% of those expenses and VA will match the same amount as the institution. Please note all scholarships, other federal, state, institutional, or employer-based aid or assistance (excluding loans and Title IV funds) will be deducted from the student’s tuition/fees in order to determine the amount submitted to VA for certification purposes.

SMU supports our valued Armed Services members, veterans, and their families. We are participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program for the 2022-2023 academic year. Academic schools that have a limit to the number of students who can participate in the program are accepted into the Yellow Ribbon Program on a first-come, first-served basis. First-come, first-served is measured from the date all required forms are submitted to the SMU Veterans Services Office.

Any tuition that exceeds VA’s private school tuition cap and Yellow Ribbon participation in an academic year is the student's responsibility.

The VA specifies that Yellow Ribbon Program participants must:

• Be 100% eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill^® Benefits
• Be enrolled in a degree-seeking program
• Maintain satisfactory progress, conduct, and attendance.
  • After nonattendance for two regular (fall, spring) terms, a student no longer qualifies for Yellow Ribbon as they are discontinued from the University. Students wishing to re-enroll at SMU and use their VA benefits are required to submit an application for reinstatement or reactivation and contact VABenefits@smu.edu. 

Click here to read more about the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Undergraduate SMU Yellow Ribbon Scholarships are offered as part of SMU funded aid. Scholarships that are tuition and fee specific will be reduced if SMU aid will exceed tuition and fees for a term.

Note: SMU's Yellow Ribbon participation (amount available and number of students) can change each academic year. It is the student's responsibility to understand this and be aware that changes may occur.

The following colleges/professional schools will participate for the 2022-2023 academic year, as indicated below:

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 Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.