Veterans Initiative for Graduate Students

Post-9/11 GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education. Additional information on exact benefits and criteria for eligibility is available.

Generally, the following individuals may be eligible. Only the VA can confirm your eligibility.

individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service on or after September 11, 2001, or
individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. The discharge must be an honorable discharge.

Tuition and Mandatory Fees Benefit

These benefits apply to both graduate and undergraduate education programs. The Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay for eligible individuals' tuition and mandatory fees (paid directly to the school) capped at $28,937.09 for their academic year. Mandatory fees exclude room and board, study abroad fees, parking fees, penalty fees, health center fees or other fees not mandated by the university for all students in a specific program. Health insurance is considered a mandatory fee and is covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Generally, veterans receive up to 36 months of entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Tuition and fees are reported to the VA net of tuition specific aid, including scholarships, grants, waivers, external tuition specific scholarships, or other Federal, State (with the exception of New York State Tuition Assistance Program awards), institutional and employer-based assistance other than loans or any Title IV funds.

Transferability of Educational Benefits (TEB)

Service members enrolled in the Post-9/11 GI Bill program, with the approval of the Department of Defense, may be able to transfer unused educational benefits to their spouses or children.

Additional information on basic benefits, eligibility requirements and transferability of benefits to dependents is available.

Yellow Ribbon Program

The Yellow Ribbon Program allows schools to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the Veterans Administration (VA) to help fund the portion of the student's tuition and fees that exceeds actual tuition and fees of $28,937.09 per academic year for a private school.

For the 2024-2025 academic year, Fordham University has agreed to contribute 50% of those expenses with an unlimited maximum contribution for traditional undergraduate students, unlimited maximum contribution for non-traditional undergraduate students, and an unlimited maximum contribution for both graduate students and doctoral students. The VA will match the same amount that Fordham University is contributing dollar for dollar and issue payment directly to the University.

Fordham’s Yellow Ribbon agreement and basic Post-9/11 benefits are expected to cover tuition and mandatory fees at all schools.

Fordham’s Yellow Ribbon agreement for the 2024-2025 academic year for students eligible for the maximum benefit rate of 100% (based on service requirements) will:

Offer assistance to an unlimited maximum amount of eligible individuals regardless of whether the student is full or part-time. All Traditional Undergraduate students, Non-traditional Undergraduate students, and Graduate/Professional students are eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program. This is based on acceptance of admission or enrollment and the order in which the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is received by the certifying official of the university. There is an unlimited maximum number of students per degree level in each college:

	Rose Hill Campus	Lincoln Center Campus	Westchester Campus	Law School
Undergraduates in School of Professional and Continuing Studies	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Undergraduates in Traditional Programs	Unlimited	Unlimited
Graduate	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Doctoral	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited

We will award institutional aid that covers 50% of the tuition expenses that exceed the $28,937.09 cap set by the VA with an unlimited maximum contribution for traditional undergraduate students, unlimited maximum contribution for non-traditional undergraduate students, and an unlimited maximum contribution for both graduate students and doctoral students. Fordham assistance will be in the form of Fordham institutional aid identified as Yellow Ribbon funds.
Continue to assist Yellow Ribbon eligible students, with remaining entitlement per VA guidelines, in all subsequent academic years in which Fordham University chooses to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. The student must maintain satisfactory progress, conduct, and attendance as defined by Fordham University

Eligibility for the Yellow Ribbon Program

The Yellow Ribbon benefit is supplemental to the basic Post- 9/11 GI Bill.
Only individuals entitled to the maximum benefit rate of 100% (based on service requirements) may receive Yellow Ribbon benefits from Fordham and the VA.

As of August 1, 2022, active duty service members and their spouses are eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program if they are at 100% per the VA.

Additional information on Yellow Ribbon eligibility is available.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is now accepting and processing applications for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Veterans at all benefit rates should:

Complete and submit the Post-9/11 GI Bill application
You will receive your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA indicating your eligibility for the program and whether your service meets Yellow Ribbon Program requirements.
The Certificate of Eligibility (COE) must be given to the certifying officer at the appropriate Fordham University campus below.

For Rose Hill – Seton Heslin-Scott, Certifying Officer, [email protected]
For Westchester – Seton Heslin-Scott, Certifying Officer, [email protected]
For Lincoln Center – Mara Saumell, Certifying Officer, [email protected]
For Law School – Ursula Duran, Certifying Officer, [email protected]

Certification of enrollment and eligibility for VA benefits as well as certification of those selected for Fordham University’s Yellow Ribbon Program will be made to the VA. Certification at zero tuition and zero fees occurs in the month prior to the beginning of the term for registered students to allow for timely processing of housing allowance and book and supply stipend. Certifications for net tuition and fees occur at the conclusion of the add/drop period of each semester to allow for financial aid resolution. Benefits will not be processed until you are enrolled.

John D. Fry Scholarship

Eligibility for children of an active duty member of the Armed Forces killed in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001.
Eligible children are entitled to 36 months of benefits at the 100% level and are eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Additional information on eligibility criteria and how to apply is available.

Applying for Financial Aid

All veterans are strongly encouraged to apply for federal assistance using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and state assistance at www.hesc.ny.gov and other outside assistance. Tuition and fee costs are reported to the VA net of tuition specific aid including scholarships, grants, waivers or Federal, State (with the exception of NYS TAP awards), institutional and employer-based assistance other than loans or any Title IV funds. Veterans will receive all Federal Title IV entitlements for which they are eligible. Outside scholarships that are not tuition specific can be used to offset charges not covered by financial aid or VA benefits. Students are highly encouraged to complete the financial aid application process in advance of their VA benefits exhausting to determine eligibility for federal, state and institutional aid. Additional information on filing for financial aid is available.

Fordham University gift aid together with all other tuition benefits is limited to the total cost of tuition.

All aid and benefits must be in keeping with Chapter 33 Guidelines.

Related Links and Contact Information

For more information on the GI Bill, visit the Veteran Affairs website or call 1-888-GIBILL-1.

For Fordham Admission information, contact [email protected].

For more information on financial aid, please visit Fordham University's Financial Aid web page.

To contact Financial Aid, email [email protected]