Yellow Ribbon Program

Saint Mary's is proud to be a sponsor of the Yellow Ribbon Program in support of our nation’s veterans. This program provides additional assistance to cover tuition and fees that are not already covered by the Post–9/11 GI Bill. Some veterans may qualify to transfer their eligibility to their children.

Program Details

• Saint Mary's College has committed to provide Yellow Ribbon Program funding to the first five students who apply and qualify for the program in the 2009-10 academic year.  During the 2010-11 academic year Saint Mary's plans to increase this committment by awarding Yellow Ribbon fundng to any qualified student who applies.
• The maximum Yellow Ribbon Funding from Saint Mary's College will be up to $10,000 for the year, and the VA will match the amount Saint Mary’s provides (for a total of up to $20,000 per year in addition to the Post-9/11 GI Bill).
• This program only provides funding for tuition and mandatory fees. It does not cover books, housing, etc.

• The amount of the benefit depends upon the specific number of credit hours the student will enroll for each semester. Here’s an example of the amount of aid a student would receive if she enrolls for 15 credit hours in the fall and 15 credit hours in the spring:

  2009-10 annual tuition and fees	$29,616.00
  Chapter 33 would pay	9,846.30
  Saint Mary’s would provide scholarships and grants (our Yellow Ribbon funding)	9,884.30
  The VA would send in a matching	9,884.30
  Remaining balance due for tuition and fees	$             0

   

• Saint Mary's College will award Yellow Ribbon Program funding to the first five students who are eligible and who apply. Saint Mary's College will determine the date of application as follows:
  
  • Only students who have already been admitted to SMC for the 2009-10 academic year will be considered.
  • The “date applied” will be the later of either the date the Certificate of Eligibility or the Yellow Ribbon Application Form was received in the Registrar’s Office.
  • If multiple applications were received on the same date, the applications will be prioritized by the date listed on the Certificate of Eligibility from the VA.
• Institutional merit scholarships and the Yellow Ribbon Program pay for tuition only. Consequently if a student awarded Yellow Ribbon funding also has a merit scholarship the amount of her scholarship may be reduced so that the total Yellow Ribbon funding from Saint Mary's College and the VA does not exceed the amount of tuition and fees for the year.
• Students who withdraw or take a leave of absence from the College will forfeit their spot in the program and will need to reapply for reinstatement if they later re-enroll.

Who is Eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program

• You are eligible for the maximum benefit rate of the Post-9/11 GI, or
• You are a dependent eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill based and that veteran is eligible for the maximum benefit rate
  
  • To learn more about transferring Post–9/11 GI Bill benefits to a dependent student, visit their Web site here.

How to Apply for the Yellow Ribbon Program at Saint Mary's College

2009-10 Application Process

1. Veterans and their dependents interested in applying for this program should initiate an application through the Veterans Administration’s (VA) web site.
2. The VA will send a Certificate of Eligibility to each applicant.
3. Students must bring the Certificate of Eligibility and a completed 2009-10 Saint Mary’s College Yellow Ribbon Application Form (Microsot Word document) to the Registrar’s Office at Saint Mary's College.
4. The first five applications received by Saint Mary's College will be awarded Yellow Ribbon Program funding.
5. The Financial Aid Office will determine the amount of the Yellow Ribbon Program award and will notify the student of the amount awarded.

2010-11 Application Process

1. Veterans and their dependents interested in applying for this program should initiate an application through the Veterans Administration’s (VA) web site.
2. The VA will send a Certificate of Eligibility to each applicant.
3. Students must bring the Certificate of Eligibility and a completed 2010-11 Saint Mary’s College Yellow Ribbon Application Form (Microsoft Word document) to the Registrar’s Office at Saint Mary's College.
4. The Financial Aid Office will determine the amount of the Yellow Ribbon Program award and will notify the student of the amount awarded.