VA Education Benefits
Benefits may be available to eligible veterans, dependents, and members of the military. 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.
Students who have Post-9/11 GI Bill® eligibility at percentages other than 100% or other VA education benefits may elect to utilize those benefits to support educational expenses at Gettysburg. Based upon individual circumstances, other VA education benefits can be applied in combination with need-based financial aid and/or Gettysburg's academic scholarships. Please contact Lindsey Weibley, Financial Aid Counselor, at lweibley@gettysburg.edu for more information.
Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program)
Gettysburg College is a proud participant in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program), a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program encourages institutions to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to fund a portion of the tuition expenses that exceed the Post-9/11 GI Bill® national cap which is updated annually as mandated by Congress in January of 2011. Only individuals entitled to the maximum benefit rate (100% level, based on service requirements) are eligible to receive Yellow Ribbon Program funding.
Starting with the 2020-21 academic year, Gettysburg College is committed to providing $16,500 per academic year to twelve students who are selected to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Sample 2022-23 Academic Year (Estimated) Yellow Ribbon Award
$26,381.37 (2022/23 Post-9/11 GI Bill® National Cap)
$16,500.00 (Yellow Ribbon Grant- Gettysburg College)
$16,500.00 (Yellow Ribbon match- VA)
$59,381.37
$11,697* (2022 Basic Allowance for Housing- estimate, 7 months)
$1,000* (books stipend, approx. $500 per semester)
$72,078 total
* paid directly to the student
The Yellow Ribbon Agreement is for a full academic year, which VA defines as August 1 to July 31. The amount the institution chooses to contribute to a student may change with a new agreement for a new academic year. Gettysburg College will fund twelve students through this program in the 2022-23 academic year.
The Department of Veterans Affairs determines eligibility for benefits through the Post-9/11 GI Bill® including the Yellow Ribbon Program. Your Certificate of Eligibility will advise if your service meets the requirements for the Yellow Ribbon Program (eligibility at the 100% level).
Enrolled students must submit their Certificate of Eligibility (requested from the VA) to Gettysburg College. Gettysburg's Registrar's Office will certify students enrollment to the VA each semester.
What to do if you are eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program
Contact Lindsey Weibley, Financial Aid Counselor, at lweibley@gettysburg.edu as soon as possible if you believe you are eligible and interested in participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program. Benefits must be awarded on a first-come first-served basis.
Once a student has been selected to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program at Gettysburg College, the institution will provide contributions for a maximum of eight semesters as long as the institution continues to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. The student must remain eligible through the VA and maintain satisfactory progress, conduct, and attendance.
Yellow Ribbon participants are not eligible to receive Gettysburg College merit scholarship funds. If the student's Yellow Ribbon benefits were to run out during the student's time at Gettysburg, the student may then become eligible to resume the merit scholarship.
Students have the option to decline the Yellow Ribbon Program in order to retain a merit scholarship. Students will be removed from the Yellow Ribbon Wait List. If they wish to be considered for Yellow Ribbon in the future, they must submit a letter of request to the Office of Financial Aid. They will be added to the bottom of the Wait List for future consideration.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Gettysburg College is required to notify the VA when a student is placed on academic probation. The Gettysburg College Yellow Ribbon Grant will only be awarded once funding from the VA is confirmed. Students will also be notified separately of their status in terms of Title IV Federal Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards.
HEROES Act
The Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students (HEROES) Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-76) is intended to ensure that service members who are receiving Federal Student Aid Program funding are not adversely affected because of their military status and to minimize the administrative burden placed on such individuals. The Act allows the Department of Education to waive or modify certain regulations pertaining to financial aid during times of war, military operation, or national emergency.
The HEROES Act provides opportunity for colleges and universities to manage Federal aid program requirements differently for service members, their spouses, and their dependents if their ability to comply with standard requirements is hindered by their active duty military status. Administrative relief may be provided related to income used for eligibility calculations, required documentation, required signatures, student loan collection activities, Satisfactory Academic Progress expectations and others.
Potentially affected individuals are encouraged to contact the Office of Financial Aid or their Direct Loan service agent if they feel that their individual or family situation may qualify them for administrative relief based on HEROES Act provisions.