ESU Becomes Proud Participant in Yellow Ribbon Program that Assists Student Veterans with Tuition Costs

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (ESU) announced today that it will participate in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program, effective August 1, 2013, to assist veterans with tuition costs. A provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, the Yellow Ribbon Program allows institutions of higher learning (degree granting institutions) in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the Veterans Administration (VA) to fund tuition expenses that exceed either the annual maximum cap for private institutions or the resident tuition and fees for a public institution. As a participant in this program, a Yellow Ribbon Program institution may contribute up to 50% of those additional tuition expenses and the VA will match the same amount as the institution.

According to Lorna Hunter, interim vice president of enrollment management, ESU has agreed to contribute 50% of the tuition expenses for eight eligible student veterans with a maximum contribution amount of $5,000 per academic year. She added that student veterans may apply now for Yellow Ribbon consideration from August 1, 2013 to July 31, 2014.

“ESU genuinely values and applauds the service of our veterans,” says Hunter.  “Our involvement in the Yellow Ribbon Program, like the opening of our Student Veterans Center, clearly demonstrates our intent to give back to those individuals who have sacrificed so much for our country.  We are proud to provide student veterans with opportunities for an excellent, affordable education.  They, in turn, often become exceptional role models by sharing their life experiences with other students both in and outside of the classroom.”

Yellow Ribbon funding is available only to those veterans eligible to receive the maximum benefit rate (based on service requirements).  Designated transferees may also receive this funding. Active duty service members and their spouses are not eligible for this program. Dependents of active duty service members may, however, be eligible if the service member is qualified at the 100% rate. Other eligibility considerations require:

•   Service for an aggregate period of active duty after September 10, 2001, of at least 36 months;

•   Honorable discharge from active duty for a service connected disability and you served 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001;

•   Dependent eligibility for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill based on a veteran’s service under the eligibility criteria listed above.

For more information about eligibility for tuition assistance and ESU’s participation in the Yellow Ribbon program, please contact June Pepe, ESU’s veteran services counselor at 570-422-2830, or by email at jpepe@esu.edu.  For details about the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program, visit www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_911_gibill/yellow_ribbon_program.html

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