Yellow Ribbon Program

The Yellow Ribbon Program is open to students who are 100% eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill^®. As a reminder, the Post-9/11 GI Bill^® and BU’s YRP do not cover the cost of full-time tuition. Students are encouraged to apply for financial aid.

A maximum of 52 All-University YRP awards are made per enrollment period. These All-University YRP awards provide recipients with an additional $7,000 per academic year ($3,500 from BU, $3,500 matched by the VA).

A maximum of 50 Metropolitan College YRP awards are made per enrollment period. These Metropolitan College YRP awards provide recipients with an additional $4,000 ($2,000 from BU, $2,000 from the VA).

The 2023-2024 All-University Yellow Ribbon Program (YRP) application is currently closed. The 2023-2024 YRP application was open March 20,2023 at 9:00 a.m. eastern and closed March 24, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. eastern.

The 2024-2025 YRP All-University application will open March 18, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. eastern and close March 22, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. eastern. Federal law requires BU’s YRP application to be on a first-come first-served basis, and students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. The application will ask for name, email, phone number, and BUID (if available).

Please read the Boston University Yellow Ribbon Program policy statement below:

Boston University (BU) participates in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Yellow Ribbon Program (YRP).
The VA will only disburse YRP funds after the student has utilized the maximum tuition & fee reimbursement for the academic year. Additionally, students must have remaining Chapter 33 eligibility to continue receiving YRP funds.
The VA education beneficiary is responsible for knowing whether they are eligible for YRP as well as their remaining benefit.
Students must be matriculated Boston University students to receive YRP, and they must take classes towards a specific degree program approved for VA benefits.
Students must be 100% eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill^® in order to receive YRP.
Students may be removed from YRP if they are not enrolled in classes by the add/drop deadline for fall & spring semesters.
1. This includes involuntary suspensions.
2. YRP can be used during summer terms within the same academic year if the student has YRP funds remaining, has not exhausted VA benefits, and has utilized the maximum tuition and fee reimbursement for the academic year.
Students will be removed from YRP after graduation, even if continuing studies in another program. Students must reapply for their next degree program.
YRP awardees may defer admission for one semester.
Students who do not enroll for more than one year will be removed from YRP.
All Cross-Registration (XRG) and Non-Credit Degree (NCD) students are ineligible for YRP. This includes:
1. Center for Professional Education (CPE)
2. Fitness Recreation (FitRec)
3. Food & Wine
Effective August 1, 2022, federal law will allow active-duty service members to receive YRP if they are otherwise eligible.
Once selected, undergraduate students will be confirmed as a Yellow Ribbon Program recipients for the shorter of the two following periods; 8 semesters (4 years) of enrollment at BU or completion of the student’s bachelor’s degree requirements, as long as BU continues to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program and the student does not exhaust VA benefits.
Once selected, graduate students will be confirmed as a Yellow Ribbon Program recipients for the shorter of the two following periods; 8 semesters (4 years) of enrollment at BU or completion of the student’s master’s degree or doctorate requirements, as long as BU continues to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program and the student does not exhaust VA benefits.
The University provides up to 52 All-University YRP awards totaling $7,000 each ($3,500 from BU + $3,500 matched by the VA). Once all 52 are awarded to eligible students, remaining applicants will be placed on a waiting list, chronologically based on the time they submit the YRP application. Students will be awarded off the waitlist as prior YRP recipients graduate or exhaust benefits. There is no guarantee that students on the waitlist will be awarded YRP during that academic year. Students who are not selected off the waitlist are encouraged to apply again the following year.
The University provides up to 50 Metropolitan College YRP awards totaling $4,000 each ($2,000 from BU + $2,000 matched by the VA). Awards are made on a first come first served basis and applicants are considered on a rolling basis.
BU YRP Policy is subject to change without notice.
All VA education benefit recipients are responsible for knowing whether they are eligible for YRP, and for knowing their remaining benefit. For example, if a student exhausts VA benefits mid-semester and does not reach the annual maximum in Ch. 33 tuition and fees, the VA will not disburse any YRP funds; furthermore, even if BU appeals to the VA for YRP money to override this disqualification, the VA will not grant any appeal.
BU’s acceptance of YRP is conditional upon VA eligibility requirements. If YRP is awarded and the VA determines a student is ineligible for any reason, BU is required to remove the YRP award.
The student is responsible for knowing whether they are eligible for YRP as well as their remaining VA benefit, not Boston University.

General information is also available on the VA’s Yellow Ribbon Program website.