Eligibility Information
Only veterans entitled to the 100 percent Post-9/11 benefit rate (based on service requirements) or their designated transferees may receive this funding. Students enrolled in classes that begin on August 1, 2022, or after may become eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program if they are currently active-duty service members who qualify at the 100 percent level (have already served on active duty for at least 36 months). Spouses of active-duty service members who meet these qualifications may also be considered for the award. For award consideration, we ask students to submit a recent Statement of Benefits or a VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) along with the online ASE form after class registration.
Eligibility questions? Please call 888-GIBILL-1.
Awarding
When the number of awards is limited, eligible award recipients are identified each fall and spring term on a first-come, first-served basis and notified within the first three weeks of classes.
When spaces are unlimited, all eligible undergraduate and graduate Yellow Ribbon recipients will automatically receive the annual award as needed.
The award can be used to cover any remaining tuition and mandatory fees after the Post 9/11 GI Bill annual cap is applied each year. Yellow Ribbon Award annual caps also apply at the graduate level. Annual caps are typically effective from fall through summer.
Undergraduate students who enroll in progressive degrees will receive the undergraduate-level award until they complete 144 units (including transfer units). Thereafter, they will be considered for the graduate-level award, as long as the corresponding graduate school participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program and a space is available.
VA award funds are typically released to the identified recipients after the spring-term Drop/Add deadline and matched by USC within 10 business days. “First-come, first-served” is measured from the date all the forms required for first-time applicants are submitted to the USC Veterans Certification Office. Forms cannot be submitted prior to class registration. The award is not guaranteed, as the number of recipients depends on award availability and program participation. It may not cover full tuition for graduate students. It is applied as needed to tuition and mandatory fees for all eligible students. Other scholarships restricted to tuition and mandatory fees are applied prior to the disbursement of Yellow Ribbon Awards. Note that program participation from August 1 to July 31 (listed below) can vary each year.
In the meantime, we encourage you to explore additional military aid options recommended by the VA. Other scholarship options may also be available. Contact the USC Financial Aid Office, your graduate program of study or the USC Military & Veterans Initiatives Office for more information.
Continued eligibility requirements for Yellow Ribbon benefit recipients:
- Remain in good academic standing with USC.
- All VA-certified courses must be degree-applicable.
- Remain eligible for Post-9/11 benefits.
- Continue submitting the Application for Semester Entitlement (ASE) every semester.
- Please note that the ASE form can be submitted only after you register for classes each term.
2024-2025 Program Participants and Maximum Annual School Contributions (effective fall through summer)
| Name of College | Location | Degree Level | Division or School | Number of Students | Max School Contribution Amt (Per Student/Per Year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles | Undergraduate | All | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles | Graduate | Annenberg | 4 | $10,000.00 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles | Graduate | Bovard | Unlimited | $10,000.00 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles | Graduate | Business | Unlimited | $10,000.00 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles | Graduate | Cinematic Arts | 3 | $10,000.00 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles | Graduate | Dentistry (incl. OT & PT) | 3 | $10,000.00 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles | Graduate | Dornsife | 10 | $10,000.00 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles | Graduate | Dramatic Arts | 1 | $10,000.00 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles | Graduate | Education | 30 | $5,000.00 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles | Graduate | Engineering | Unlimited | $10,000.00 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles | Graduate | Gerontology | 1 | $10,000.00 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles | Graduate | Iovine & Young Academy | 6 | $10,000.00 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles | Graduate | Law | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles | Graduate | Medicine | 5 | $10,000.00 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles | Graduate | Public Policy | 23 | $5,000.00 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles | Graduate | Social Work | 48 | $6,000.00 |