Northeastern University is investing $2 million to help post-9/11 veterans earn degrees through the federal government’s new Yellow Ribbon Program. Northeastern's commitment, combined with matching funds provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, will allow 162 veterans to attend the university each year at little or no cost. Veterans will have access to a full range of degree programs, including bachelor's, master's, doctoral and law degrees.
Qualifying veterans who enroll at Northeastern will receive grant aid that cover most to all of Northeastern's tuition and fee charges, depending on the selected degree program. Northeastern and the Department of Veterans Affairs will cover all or most of the expenses that exceed the cost of attending the University of Massachusetts. Allowances for housing, books and supplies are included.
A provision of the post-9/11 GI Bill, the Yellow Ribbon Program provides partial funding for veterans to cover the cost of tuition at participating private universities. The participating universities can bridge the gap to cover the remaining costs. Federal funding formulas are tied to the cost of the most expensive public undergraduate tuition and fee rate in the same state.
The Yellow Ribbon Program will become effective on August 1, 2009. To be eligible, veterans must have served at least three years of active duty beginning on or after September 11, 2001. Veterans from any state are eligible to attend Northeastern and receive Yellow Ribbon funding.
