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Calculating Post-9/11 GI Bill® Benefits

Because Vanderbilt University is a private university, students who receive Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits are subject to a maximum tuition and fee reimbursement per academic year (August 1 through July 31). The amount of the national cap changes each year on August 1. The amount of funds that are available on August 1 can be used from August 1 to July 31 of the following year.

When VA benefits are calculated, the amount of this national cap must be expended before Yellow Ribbon Program benefits can be awarded.

Yellow Ribbon Program

Students must have a Percentage of Eligibility (POE) of 100% in order to qualify for the Yellow Ribbon program. All Post-9/11 GI Bill ® students with an eligibility level of 100% are eligible for the Yellow Ribbon program. This includes veterans, active duty servicemembers, Purple Heart recipients, children, and spouses. Students must submit a Certificate of Eligibility showing 100% in order to be included. Vanderbilt does not limit participation in the Yellow Ribbon program.

To determine how much would be covered each semester, please complete the following steps:

  • List the tuition for the semester.
  • Subtract any scholarship payments for tuition and fees, tuition discounts, and/or tuition awards. This will provide the billable amount of tuition.
  • Multiply the Post-9/11 GI Bill® national cap for the academic year by your percentage of eligibility (POE). This is the maximum amount of money that you will receive for tuition and fee payments for the academic year.
  • Subtract the national cap funds from the billable tuition.
  • If the money that you will receive from the national cap is less than the billable amount of tuition, the remainder is considered to be unmet need.
  • If a student is eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program based on the eligibility criteria listed above, the student may receive matching Yellow Ribbon funds up to the maximum Yellow Ribbon Program award for the academic year from Vanderbilt and Veterans Affairs based on unmet need.
  • Any remaining amount not covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill® Program or the Yellow Ribbon Program is the responsibility of the student.

The following is an example of an undergraduate student veteran who was not on active duty and had a percentage of eligibility (POE) of 100%, making the student eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program for the academic year.

 

Fall 2023

Spring 2024

Tuition

$30,809

$30,809

Subtract tuition scholarships, discounts, or awards

$0

$0

Billable Tuition

$30,809

$30,809

Subtract national cap funds

$27,120.05

None available

Remaining cost

$3,688.95

$30,809

Yellow Ribbon ($16,000 max)

$1,844.47

$14,155.53 (expended max)

VA Yellow Ribbon match

$1,844.47

$14,155.53 (expended max)

Remaining cost

$0

$2,497.94

If the undergraduate student veteran who was eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program for the academic year received any aid designated for tuition and fees, the student may not receive the full Yellow Ribbon Program maximum:

 

Fall 2023

Spring 2024

Tuition

$30,809

$30,809

Subtract tuition scholarships, discounts, or awards

$10,000

$10,000

Billable Tuition

$20,809

$20,809

National cap available

$20,809

$6.311.05

Remaining cost

$0

$14,497.95

Yellow Ribbon ($16,000 max)

$0

$7,248.97

VA Yellow Ribbon match

$0

$7,248.97

Remaining cost

$0

$0

Example of a student who does not qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program:

If the undergraduate student has a percentage of eligibility (POE) of 60%, the student would not be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program. The student would only be eligible for 60% of the national cap ($27,120.05 times 60% = $16,272.03).*

 

Fall 2023

Spring 2024

Tuition

$30,809

$30,809

Subtract tuition scholarships, discounts, or awards

$0

$0

Billable Tuition

$30,809

$30,809

Subtract national cap funds

$16,272.03*

None available

Remaining cost

$14,536.97

$30,809

Yellow Ribbon ($16,000 max)

Not eligible

Not eligible

VA Yellow Ribbon match

Not eligible

Not eligible

 

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  http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill .