56 Virginia schools join Yellow Ribbon program

Veterans attending Virginia colleges and universities will be eligible for additional benefits next month under the new federal Yellow Ribbon Program set up to aid those who served after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

In Virginia, 56 schools are among 1,100 nationwide that have entered into agreements with the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve financial aid for veterans under the Post-9/11 GI Bill Program.

The program pays up to the highest amount in tuition and fees charged for public in-state undergraduates. But that amount may be exceeded by veterans attending a private institution or graduate school, or who do not qualify for in-state tuition.

Under the Yellow Ribbon Program, degree-granting institutions can contribute up to 50 percent of those additional expenses, with the VA matching the amount for eligible students.

Veterans are eligible for the program if they served at least 36 months on active duty after Sept. 10, 2001, or served at least 30 continuous days and were discharged because of a service-related injury.

The program applies only to schoolwork pursued on or after Aug. 1.

Virginia schools that have signed agreements with the VA include traditional four-year schools such as the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Richmond.

Schools such as ITT Technical Institute and the University of Phoenix, as well as the new South University in Glen Allen, also are participating in the program.

-- Karin Kapsidelis