Yellow Ribbon

Gap Funding for Tuition: The Yellow Ribbon Program is a partnership between USC and the Department of Veterans Affairs to help cover tuition and fees that exceed the annual Post-9/11 GI Bill® cap.

• The Goal: To help minimize or eliminate out-of-pocket tuition costs for eligible students.
• The Match: USC provides a scholarship contribution, and the VA matches that amount dollar-for-dollar.

To receive the Yellow Ribbon award, you must meet all the following criteria:

1. 100% Eligible: You must be entitled to the 100% benefit level of the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33).
   • Note: If you are at the 90% level or below, you are not eligible for this specific program.
2. Qualifying Status: You must fall into one of these categories:
   • Veteran who has served at least 36 months of active duty.*
   • Dependent child using transferred benefits.
   • Recipient of the Fry Scholarship.
3. Admission: You must be admitted to a degree-granting program at USC.

*Active-duty service members (serving at least 36 months) or their spouse. Active-duty members and their spouses became eligible for Yellow Ribbon as of August 1, 2022.

How Selection Works

• Unlimited Funding Programs: If your school is listed as “Unlimited” (e.g., Undergraduate, Law), you will automatically receive the Yellow Ribbon award if you meet the eligibility criteria and submit your certification request.
• Unlimited Student Selection: If your school is listed as “Unlimited” (e.g., Bovard College, Business, Engineering), you will automatically receive the Yellow Ribbon award if you meet the eligibility criteria. While the number of students accepted is unlimited, the maximum contribution amount per student may still be capped (e.g., $10,000), depending on your specific school or program.
• Limited Programs: For schools with a set number of student slots and funding (e.g., Cinematic Arts, Social Work), awards are granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • The Timer: “First-come” status is determined by the date and time you submit your Certificate of Eligibility and ASE form to our office after registering for classes.
  • Notification: Recipients are typically notified within the first three weeks of the semester.

Maintaining Your Award: Once you receive the Yellow Ribbon award, you generally retain it for the duration of your program as long as you:

1. Maintain continuous enrollment (excluding summer).
2. Remain in good academic standing.
3. Continue to qualify for Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits.

Effective fall through summer.

Undergraduate

Graduate

• Not Guaranteed: Admission to USC does not guarantee a Yellow Ribbon award for programs with limited slots.
• Tuition Only: Yellow Ribbon funds are applied only to tuition and mandatory fees. They cannot be used for housing, meal plans or parking.
• Stacking Aid: Yellow Ribbon is applied after the annual VA cap is exhausted. Other tuition-specific scholarships (like ROTC or departmental grants) are applied first, which may reduce the amount of Yellow Ribbon funds needed.

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 https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.