Veteran Affairs (VA) Benefits

Cedarville University is a military friendly school. Whether you are a veteran, reservist, or active duty pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree, Cedarville allows you to use your education benefits to meet your goals. We have an increasing number of students using Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits. The following examples provided below apply to both VA and ROTC benefits. The Yellow Ribbon program is one of the best ways to maximize your financial aid package and offset the cost of tuition. Contact the Office of the Registrar to speak with a certifying official about Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) benefits.

Post-9/11 GI Bill® Benefit

The Post-9/11 GI Bill® provides education benefits for service members who have served on active duty for 90 or more days since September 10, 2001. These benefits are tiered based on the number of days served on active duty, creating a benefit package that gives current and previously activated National Guard and Reserve members the same benefits as active duty service members.

Once the VA has received your application, the VA will determine your eligibility for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, and issue you a Certificate of Eligibility. To begin the application process, you can use the online form found on www.va.gov. On this website, click on the "Apply for education benefits" link and follow the prompts.  

Education benefits include the following:

• Up to 100 percent tuition and fee coverage
• A monthly living (housing) stipend
• Up to $1,000 a year for books and supplies
• A one-time relocation allowance
• Option to transfer benefits to family members
• Other benefits

The Yellow Ribbon Program

The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill® tuition benefit pays up to 100 percent of the public in-state tuition and fees but only covers up to $28,937.09 a year for private colleges and universities, potentially leaving the student with a balance to pay. In these cases, the Yellow Ribbon program reduces the amount of out-of-pocket expenses, up to covering 100 percent of the total cost of the student’s tuition and fees. Students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree qualify for the Yellow Ribbon program.

Like the other Post-9/11 GI Bill® programs, Yellow Ribbon benefits are payable for training pursued on or after August 1, 2009. No payments can be made under this program for training pursued before that date.

To qualify to receive Yellow Ribbon benefits, you must meet the following criteria:

• Served an aggregate period of active duty after September 10, 2001, of at least 36 months
• Honorably discharged from active duty for a service-connected disability and served 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001
• Dependent eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill® based on a veteran's service under the eligibility criteria listed above

There may be instances where a Yellow Ribbon recipient will have other institutional scholarships or grants. Cedarville University seeks to use institutional funding wisely in order for other students to receive funding. Thus, in cases where a student’s total financial aid is above direct University charges, Cedarville will reduce other forms of institutional gift-based aid. The examples below show how institutional gift-based aid will be reduced in these instances:

Example #1: Tuition <$28,937.09

Josh is awarded Cedarville University scholarships and grants that total $2,000. Josh lives off campus*. His bill and financial aid are as follows:

In the above example, Josh has a CR balance of $10,937.09 that is partially derived from scholarships and grants. In this case, Cedarville University will reduce the scholarships/grants award (from $2,000 to $0) since Chapter 33 funds cover 100% of tuition and fees. The Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits student will have $1,000 toward books and supplies and receive approximately $1,200 per month for living expenses.

Example #2: Tuition >$28,937.09

Anna is awarded scholarships and grants that total $7,000. Anna lives off campus* and is also receiving the Yellow Ribbon award. Her bill and financial aid are as follows:

In the above example, Anna has a $7,000 CR balance that is derived from scholarships and grants. Since the Chapter 33 funding and the Yellow Ribbon portion cover 100% of tuition and fees, Cedarville University will reduce the institutional scholarships and grants (from $5,000 to $0). Anna is permitted to retain her outside scholarship. The Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits student will have $1,000 toward books and supplies and receive approximately $1,200 per month for living expenses.

*Charges will vary for students living in university-owned housing.

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 Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.