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Veterans
Learn more about using your Veterans Educational Benefits.
Yellow Ribbon
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, also known as the Post-9/11 GI Bill or Chapter 33. The Yellow Ribbon Program allows UMUC to enter into a voluntary agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs to contribute funds to our veterans' unmet tuition and fee charges when their tuition and fees charges exceed the amount payable under Chapter 33. The program allows UMUC to contribute an amount up to 50 percent of veterans' unmet costs; the Department of Veterans Affairs will match the amount.
What is the Post-9/11 GI Bill or Chapter 33?
Chapter 33 is a Department of Veterans Affairs educational benefit program that eligible UMUC students may utilize beginning August 1, 2009. You may be eligible if you have active-duty service performed after September 10, 2001 and have:
- Served at least 90 aggregate days on active duty on or after September 10, 2001; or
- Served a period of at least 30 days and received a disability; or
- Are a dependent of an active-duty service member eligible for benefits under the Transfer of Entitlement provision of Chapter 33.
If eligible for Chapter 33 benefits, you may receive the following:
- Payment of tuition and fees not to exceed tuition at a public institution in the state of the school you are attending.
- A monthly housing allowance equal to the housing payable to an E-5 active-duty member with dependents. The amount is based on the zip code of the school you are attending. You must be in attendance more than a half-time rate. The monthly housing allowance is not payable if you are on active duty or if you are enrolled in online courses only; and
- A yearly book and supply stipend of $41.67 per credit hour, not to exceed $1,000 per academic year. The stipend is not available if you are on active duty.
You receive a percentage of the three benefits based on the length of your active duty as indicated by the following chart:
Service Requirements (after 9/10/09) you must serve an aggregate of |
% of Maximum Benefit Payable |
At least 36 months |
100 |
At least 30 continuous days on active duty (Discharge due to service connected disability |
100 |
At least 30 months, but less than 36 months |
90 |
At least 24 months, but less than 30 months |
80 |
At least 18 months, but less than 24 months |
70 |
At least 12 months, but less than 18 months |
60 |
At least 6 months, but less than 12 months |
50 |
At least 90 days, but less than six months |
40 |
Who is eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program?
Only UMUC students entitled to the 100 percent maximum benefit rate under Chapter 33 are eligible to receive this funding.
How do I apply for the Yellow Ribbon Program?
You must apply for your Chapter 33 benefit with the Department of Veterans Affairs by completing an Application for Educational Benefits, VA Form 22-1990. The Department of Veterans Affairs will issue a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to each student who is eligible. The COE will indicate your percent of eligibility and indicate if you are eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program. You must submit a copy of your COE to UMUC’s Veterans and Disabled Student Affairs.
You must also complete a UMUC Veterans Certification Form. The form is available on the MyUMUC portal. After the login, select:
MyAcademics > Veterans Benefits > Apply for Benefits
Select Chapter 33 as your benefit program, and also apply for the Yellow Ribbon Program on the UMUC form.
UMUC will submit an enrollment certification to the Department of Veterans Affairs indicating that you have applied for the Yellow Ribbon Program.
You must apply every semester you are enrolled and wish to receive the funds. You must maintain satisfactory academic progress to continue eligibility.
Examples of Yellow Ribbon Coverage for Undergraduate and Graduate Students
General
Who is available to discuss veterans educational
UMUC’s dedicated Veterans Advising Team can help you maximize the value of your veterans educational benefits, including how to select the right GI plan for your educational needs. Learn more about how the Veterans Advising Team can help you.
Students can apply online at military.umuc.edu. Note, once the application is submitted an account will be created with UMUC and there will be a $50 non-refundable application fee generated. Students are responsible for paying this fee as soon as possible. Students can make payments online through MyUMUC or calling 800-888-UMUC (8682). This phone number can also be used for questions regarding an account balance or student can send an e-mail to bursaroffice@umuc.edu.
What do I need to be fully admitted into UMUC?
To be fully admitted to UMUC, students must submit all official transcripts from previous institutions and military ID and/or orders. The military ID/orders are needed to ensure in-state tuition. Please review our UMUC admission pages for details on requirements for undergraduate and graduate admissions. In addition, the $50 non-refundable application fee must be paid in full. Students may register and attend courses while finishing their admissions process.
Can I start my program at any time?
Application for admission can be done at any time during the year. Classes start at various times during the year.
Where can I learn more about placement testing?
All undergraduate UMUC prospective students must take an English and Math placement test. Students may schedule a placement test through the Testing Center. Students may also look over the placement test Web page for more details.
Who is my UMUC academic advisor?
Military students will be assigned to the Military Team. When a student needs assistance with UMUC programs, policies, admissions, courses, requirements, and basic university administrative information they can contact their academic advisor. Veteran students who have not been assigned an academic advisor may contact 800-939-UMUC (8682).
How do I register for classes?
All courses are available through MyUMUC. All registrations must be done through MyUMUC or by contacting a military advisor for assistance.
Are there any required courses?
For undergraduates, UMUC requires all students to take LIBS 150. This course must be taken within the student’s first 18 credits of enrollment. Students must also successfully complete the WRTG 101 course, along with a second writing course (a communications/writing) and an advanced intensive writing requirement. Mathematic requirements are specific to the program the student is studying.
For graduate school, all students at UMUC are required to take UCSP 611 or UCSP 611A within their first 6 credits.
How do I use Tuition Assistance as payment for courses?
After registering for your courses with UMUC, you can pay for your classes by faxing your tuition assistance to our Finance Office at 301-985-7858. Your Education Office can provide the appropriate tuition assistance documents for submission to UMUC. Your full payment needs to be received by the due date.
Information regarding our monthly payment plan, administered by Sallie Mae, may be obtained by calling Academic Management Services at 800-635-0120.
If you find that you are placed on a waiting list for a class that is full, you may visit the UMUC Waiting List to check your options.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at 800-939-UMUC (8682).
How do I apply for grants/financial aid?
At UMUC, you will find a variety of financial aid programs to suit your needs—from grants and scholarships (which do not require repayment) to loans (which must be repaid) and work-study programs. A number of factors determine eligibility for these programs, including financial need (as defined by the Department of Education), undergraduate or graduate enrollment, and grade-point average. For further information about any of the programs or to receive a financial aid package, please contact the Financial Aid office at 800-888-UMUC (8682) or at finaid@umuc.edu.
How do I order my course materials?
Now that you have registered for your course(s) you will need to purchase your course materials. UMUC has linked with MBS Direct allowing students to purchase their course materials online at military.umuc.edu/bookstore/.
How will online classes be delivered?
UMUC's distance courses link students with their faculty member and fellow students online through the World Wide Web. WebTycho is UMUC's comprehensive Web-based learning resource; it delivers and supports learning opportunities without the constraints of time and place. WebTycho can be accessed anytime from anywhere in the world via the World Wide Web.
What is a Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Agreement?
A SOC (Servicemember's Opportunity College) is an agreement between the university and the soldier that will protect your credits and degree program as you transfer from duty station to duty station. It also offers a way to select courses from many colleges within the SOC Network for guaranteed transferability to your UMUC degree plan. Military students who are pursuing an undergraduate degree at UMUC are eligible for a SOCAD agreement. Graduate students and students pursuing only a certificate are not eligible for a SOC agreement.
When do I receive an SOC Agreement?
If you have selected UMUC as your host institution, are pursuing an undergraduate degree plan, and have submitted all required official transcripts from previously attended institutions, all official score reports, and your military transcripts, an official academic evaluation audit–also known as a Degree Audit– is processed. The SOC agreement is processed following completion of the official audit and is based upon the audit.
If you have not completed at least 24 credits at previously attended collegiate institutions (not including UMUC coursework), you will also need to submit your high school or GED transcript.
Please Note: For relocation students who have already been issued a SOC from Europe or Asia that SOC is still viable and will be honored stateside as long as there has been no 2-year break in enrollment and they are continuing with the same degree plan. We do not issue a new SOC stateside if their overseas SOC is still viable and there has been no change in their degree plan.
Also, updated SOC's are not issued. A new SOC will be issued following the completion of a new audit only when students change their degree plan (different major; adding/deleting optional minor; changing catalog year which changes degree requirements).
All FAQ
Army
Air Force
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Veterans
DoD Civilians
Have questions about veterans benefits? E-mail Veterans Advising or call 800-939-UMUC (8682).
