The Catholic University of America is proud to continue its participation in the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Yellow Ribbon Program.  The Yellow Ribbon Program helps cover tuition and mandatory fees that exceed the maximum amount paid by the Post 9/11 GI Bill® for eligible students.  The Department of  Veterans Affairs (VA) and The Catholic University of America each contribute matching funds toward these remaining eligible charges. Participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program requires:

• 100% eligibility under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.
• Remaining entitlement to Yellow Ribbon benefits under VA regulations.
• Continued enrollment in an eligible degree or certificate program at Catholic University.
• Submission of the Yellow Ribbon Application by the last day to register or add courses each semester.

The VA pays eligible tuition and mandatory fees directly to the University. Monthly housing allowance (MHA) and the annual books and supplies stipend are paid directly to the student, when applicable.

Yellow Ribbon Program Application Guidelines

1. Students must submit a Yellow Ribbon Application each semester. The application confirms the student's continued participation in the program and acknowledges the student's responsibilities. 
2. If accepted, students are reserved a spot in the Yellow Ribbon Program for the entirety of their studies at Catholic University, provided they remain eligible and submit the application by the published deadline each semester. This is meant to help students plan appropriately for how they will fund their education at Catholic University. While students who have applied for and been accepted into the Yellow Ribbon Program will have a spot reserved for them, they are still obligated to complete the Yellow Ribbon Application by the published deadline each semester to remain in the program.
3. The Yellow Ribbon Application is available through Cardinal Students and may be completed at the same time the student submits their request for VA certification each semester.
4. Students may not receive a Yellow Ribbon Tuition Waiver in conjunction with any other institutional scholarship(s), grant(s), tuition waiver(s) or endowment(s).
5. The total dollar amount of Post-9/11 GI Bill®, VA Yellow Ribbon and CUA Yellow Ribbon benefit contributions cannot exceed tuition charges.

Yellow Ribbon Program Application Timeline

We aim to make our Yellow Ribbon Application align with Catholic University's admission and course registration schedule.

• November 3, 2026: Yellow Ribbon Application available for Spring 2027.
• March 15, 2027: Yellow Ribbon Application available for Summer 2027.
• The Yellow Ribbon Program Application is due on the last day to register or add courses for credit for each semester the student is applying for. These dates can be found on the Academic Calendar.
• Students who submit a complete application, including a current Certificate of Eligibility (COE), can generally expect a decision within 5–10 business days.

Please note this YR application timeline will shift significantly in years when Catholic University needs to renegotiate its Yellow Ribbon Program Agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The open season enrollment period with the VA typically does not begin until March, which will push the availability of the Yellow Ribbon Application to May.

Students' Financial Responsibility in the Yellow Ribbon Program

If students elect to utilize institutional services not covered by the VA Yellow Ribbon Program, payment for those services is due in accordance with the posted deadlines on the Enrollment Services website. The Yellow Ribbon Program and the Post-9/11 GI Bill® do not cover every university charge. Students remain responsible for expenses such as housing, meal plans, optional tutoring fees, certain study abroad expenses, parking permits, and other non-covered institutional charges.

Students should plan to pay these charges at the beginning of each academic term and in accordance with the payment deadlines established by Enrollment Services.

Students receiving VA housing benefits are strongly encouraged to enroll in the University's payment plan to assist with housing and other educational expenses while awaiting their Monthly Housing Allowance.

Students may enroll in an optional monthly payment plan for a nominal enrollment fee. Students enrolled in the payment plan will be billed monthly by the payment plan provider. Full payment of the amount billed by the payment plan provider does not necessarily mean the student’s Catholic University account is paid in full. Students must review their Catholic University account statements to ensure the budgeted payment plan payments are sufficient to cover their balances with the University.

Students are required to pay any outstanding balances above the budgeted payment plan amounts directly to the University by the payment due date.

Please be sure to review the Student Financial Responsibility statement for complete information regarding a student’s financial obligations.

 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: Education and Training Home (va.gov)