What is the Yellow Ribbon Program?

The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher learning (degree-granting institutions) in the United States to voluntarily agree with VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate. The institution can contribute up to 50% of those expenses, and VA will match the same amount as the institution.

Who is eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program?

Only veterans entitled to the maximum benefit rate of 100%, as determined by the service requirements, or their designated transferees may receive Yellow Ribbon benefits from Pacific and the VA.

Effective August 01, 2022, active-duty service members and their spouses using the transfer of entitlement may participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

The general eligibility requirements for the Yellow Ribbon Program include:

  • You served an aggregate period of 36 months in active duty after Sept. 10, 2001
  • You were honorably discharged from active duty for a service-connected disability, and you served 30 continuous days after Sept. 10, 2001
  • You are a dependent eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill® based on the service eligibility criteria listed above

We encourage active military servicemembers, veterans, and dependents to review the eligibility criteria directly on the VA's Yellow Ribbon Program website.


What are Pacific's Yellow Ribbon eligibility requirements and benefits?

Stockton Campus

Only undergraduate/graduate students seeking their first degree are eligible to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program at Pacific. You will not be eligible if you are seeking a second undergraduate/graduate degree.

  • All degree programs at the Stockton Campus are Yellow Ribbon approved, with unlimited students and contribution amount per Yellow Ribbon agreement.
  • This award will be offered to all eligible undergraduate and graduate veterans seeking approved Yellow Ribbon degrees at Pacific's Stockton Campus. 

Sacramento Campus

Yellow Ribbon will be offered to eligible graduate students seeking an approved Yellow Ribbon on a first-come, first-served basis. Unlike the Stockton Campus, the Yellow Ribbon has limited availability based on the Yellow Ribbon agreement.

  • Yellow Ribbon is approved for the following schools and contribution amount:
    • A maximum seating of,
      • 60 McGeorge School of Law, unlimited
      • 24 School of Health Sciences, unlimited
      • 10 Benerd College, unlimited

Students will receive up to 50% of the unmet established charges per academic year with matching contributions from the school and the VA to cover 100% of tuition and fees.

San Francisco Campus

Per the Yellow Ribbon agreement, Pacific provides Yellow Ribbon contributions for the following schools and the contribution amount.

  • Yellow Ribbon approved for the following school and contributions:
    • A maximum seating of,
      • 10 Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry; $10000 maximum contribution (annually)
      • 5 School of Engineering; unlimited contribution
      • 5 College of the Pacific; unlimited contribution
      • 5 Conservatory of Music; unlimited contribution
      • 5 School of Health Science; unlimited contribution

How will Pacific select the Yellow Ribbon Program benefit recipients?

Students will be selected for the Yellow Ribbon Program award on a first-come, first-served basis, determined by the date and time the school certifying official receives their applications. Once the maximum number of awards has been offered, Pacific will not provide any additional awards.

The university strongly encourages all applicants for the Yellow Ribbon Program to apply for federal and state assistance. Please refer to the university's financial aid website for more information on the application process.


How do I apply for Yellow Ribbon Benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®?

The Department of Veterans Affairs is now processing applications for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®. Interested students should complete and submit the application form online at benefits.va.gov/gibill/.

To complete an application online, you will need one of the following campus VA facility codes relating to your campus or program location.

Stockton – 31891105

Sacramento – 31891205

San Francisco – 31891305

You will receive a written notification explaining the VA's decision regarding your eligibility for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and the Yellow Ribbon Program. If you are eligible, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) that specifies you are "potentially eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program." Pacific will make the final funding decision, however.

If you have questions about COE, contact the veteran's administration at 1-888-GIBILL1 (442-4551) to speak with an Education Case Manager.

Once you receive your COE and are deemed potentially eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program, complete Pacific's Yellow Ribbon Application and submit your COE along with your application to Pacific's Office of the Registrar. Upon receipt of your COE, the Office of the Registrar will verify your eligibility to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program.


How will I know if I have received the Yellow Ribbon Program benefit from Pacific?

If you receive a Yellow Ribbon award, it will be coordinated into your financial aid award in accordance with all federal, state, and institutional rules and regulations. The school certifying official will email you to notify you of the award.


How is this benefit applied to my student account?

Once you meet all enrollment and disbursement requirements, the Pacific portion of your Yellow Ribbon award will be credited to your account.

The VA match of your Yellow Ribbon award will issue payment directly to the university on your behalf after the VA processes your enrollment certification.


Will my Yellow Ribbon Award be renewed?

University of the Pacific will offer you a Yellow Ribbon Program award if the following apply:

  • Pacific continues to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program*
  • You remain in good academic and conduct standing as defined in the university catalog and handbook
  • You have remaining entitlement as defined by the VA

*University of the Pacific's participation in the Yellow Ribbon program is voluntary. Pacific may choose not to participate or change the contribution amount offered in future years.
 

For additional information, visit benefits.va.gov/gibill for additional information on the Yellow Ribbon Program or other benefits.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).