Veterans & Military-Connected Students
Yellow Ribbon Program
A voluntary agreement that lets Porter cover tuition and fee costs the Post-9/11 GI Bill does not, dollar-for-dollar matched by the VA.
How it fits with the GI Bill
The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays tuition and fees up to the highest public in-state undergraduate rate; for most Porter students that covers the full bill. Yellow Ribbon exists for the gap cases — most often a nonresident or graduate student whose charges run above what the GI Bill alone pays. Porter agrees to cover a share of the remaining cost, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs matches that amount dollar-for-dollar, closing the gap without the student paying out of pocket.
Who is eligible
Only veterans and dependents entitled to the Post-9/11 GI Bill at the 100% benefit level can use Yellow Ribbon; it is not available at lower benefit tiers. A dependent using transferred benefits qualifies the same way a veteran using their own benefit does.
Program caps
Porter sets an annual cap on the number of Yellow Ribbon participants and a maximum dollar contribution per student each year, both filed with the VA before the academic year starts. Applying early matters: participation is first-come, first-served against that cap once fall certification opens.
How to apply
Submit a Certificate of Eligibility from the VA to the Veteran Resource Center along with the Yellow Ribbon request form. Certification happens alongside standard GI Bill enrollment certification each term — there is no separate deadline to track once the initial paperwork is on file.