Educational Benefits

The Post-9/11 GI Bill® is one of the most comprehensive education benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It provides significant financial support for veterans and eligible dependents pursuing higher education. Here’s what the benefit includes:

• Tuition and Fees: VA pays tuition and fees directly to Yale up to the annual VA maximum for private institutions, which is $30,908.34 for the 2026-2027 academic year. Yale also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, covering costs above the VA cap.
• Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA): Students receive a housing allowance based on the Basic Allowance for Housing (E-5 with dependents) for Yale’s ZIP code. In New Haven, CT, the current rate is $3,069 per month for full-time enrollment.
• Books and Supplies Stipend: Eligible students can receive up to $1,000 per academic year  ($41.67 per credit) to help cover the cost of books and supplies.

To qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, you must have completed at least 90 days of active duty service after September 10, 2001. The percentage of benefits you receive depends on your length of service, with 100% eligibility granted for 36 months or more of active duty. In addition, benefits may be transferred to dependents under certain conditions.

Note: Apply through VA.gov and submit your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to veteranresources@yale.edu.

Yale University proudly participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, a provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill® that helps eligible veterans and their dependents afford private higher education. Through this program, participating schools contribute a designated amount toward tuition and fee costs that exceed the national maximum, and the Department of Veterans Affairs matches that contribution dollar-for-dollar. This partnership ensures that qualifying students can attend institutions like Yale with minimal or no out-of-pocket tuition expenses, making higher education more accessible to those who have served.

Academic Year 2025-2026 Yellow Ribbon Program Participation by School: 

School of Architecture

• Degree Level: All
• Maximum Students: 5
• School Contribution: Unlimited

School of Art

• Degree Level: All
• Maximum Students: 5
• School Contribution: $5,000

Divinity School

• Degree Level: All
• Maximum Students: Unlimited
• School Contribution: Unlimited

School of Drama

• Degree Level: All
• Maximum Students: 5
• School Contribution: $5,000

School of Forestry & Environmental Science

• Degree Level: Graduate
• Maximum Students: Unlimited
• School Contribution: Unlimited

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

• Degree Level: Graduate
• Maximum Students: Unlimited
• School Contribution: $9,000

Jackson School of Global Affairs

• Degree Level: All
• Maximum Students: Unlimited
• School Contribution: Unlimited

School of Law

• Degree Level: Graduate
• Maximum Students: Unlimited
• School Contribution: Unlimited

School of Management

• Degree Level: All
• Maximum Students: Unlimited
• School Contribution: Unlimited

School of Medicine 

• Degree Level: All
• Maximum Students: Unlimited
• School Contribution: Unlimited

School of Public Health

• Degree Level: All
• Maximum Students: Unlimited
• School Contribution: Unlimited

School of Music

• Degree Level: All
• Maximum Students: 5
• School Contribution: Unlimited

School of Nursing

• Degree Level: All
• Maximum Students: 10
• School Contribution: $10,000

Yale College

• Degree Level: Undergraduate
• Maximum Students: Unlimited
• School Contribution: $18,100

The Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty (MGIB-AD) program provides education benefits to service members and veterans who have served on active duty. Unlike the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, this program offers a fixed monthly payment directly to the student rather than paying tuition to the school. Benefits include:

• Monthly Benefit Payments: Paid directly to you, not to Yale. You are responsible for paying tuition and fees to the university.
• Duration of Benefits: Up to 36 months of education benefits.
• Programs Covered: College degrees, vocational training, flight training, apprenticeships, and more.

To be eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty (MGIB-AD), you must have served on active duty and contributed $1,200 to the program during your service. This benefit is typically available to those who completed at least two years of continuous active duty and must be used within 10 years of separating from active duty.

The VR&E program, also known as Chapter 31, is designed to help veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find, and maintain suitable employment or achieve independent living goals. This benefit goes beyond tuition assistance, it provides comprehensive support tailored to your career and rehabilitation needs. VR&E benefits include:

• Tuition and Fees: Covers the full cost of approved training programs, including graduate and professional degrees.
• Books, Supplies, and Equipment: Paid for by VA to ensure you have the tools needed for success.
• Monthly Subsistence Allowance: Financial support while you complete your training.
• Career Counseling and Job Placement: Guidance to help you transition into meaningful employment.
• Additional Services: May include tutoring, adaptive equipment, and other resources for veterans with disabilities.

Veterans may qualify for VR&E if they have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% with a serious employment handicap or 20% or more with an employment handicap, and the VA determines they need rehabilitation services to overcome employment barriers.

Unlike other VA education benefits, VR&E focuses on your long-term career success and can cover costs beyond what the Post-9/11 GI Bill® provides. It’s an excellent option for veterans seeking specialized support and resources.

Apply through the VA’s VR&E portal to start your application and work with a VA counselor to develop a rehabilitation plan.
 

The DEA program provides education and training benefits to eligible dependents of certain veterans. It is designed to help spouses and children pursue higher education or vocational training when a veteran has a qualifying service-connected condition. These benefits include:

• Monthly Benefit Payments: Paid directly to the student, not to Yale. You are responsible for paying tuition and fees.
• Duration of Benefits: Up to 36 months of education benefits and must use them between ages 18–26 (some exceptions apply)
• Programs Covered: College degrees, certificate programs, vocational training, apprenticeships, and some on-the-job training.

You may qualify for Chapter 35 benefits if you are the spouse or child of a veteran who has a permanent and total service-connected disability or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-connected condition.

Apply through VA.gov and submit your Certificate of Eligibility to veteranresources@yale.edu.
 

Yale University has a long and proud history with the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). Students interested in pursuing ROTC may cross-register with one of Yale’s partner programs:

• Air Force ROTC
   
• Army ROTC
   
• Navy ROTC

Details about ROTC opportunities, eligibility, and participation can be found on Yale’s ROTC website.