Yellow Ribbon Program for Veterans

In August 2009, the President of the United States signed into law the largest expansion of veterans' benefits since the original G.I. Bill in 1944. Called the "Post-9/11 G.I. Bill," it supplements the benefits that had been available to veterans and makes them more accessible to their families. Veterans should visit the Department of Veterans Affairs web site for more information and to determine eligibility.

Under this new law, colleges and universities are welcome to further contribute to the veterans' benefits, and Drexel University has gone "all in". Announcing Drexel's Yellow Ribbon Program last August, Drexel's President confirmed that, for veterans qualifying under the Federal program, a Drexel education could be entirely free. Unlike most universities, Drexel has not placed a cap on either the amount of benefits the veteran receives, or the number of veterans who can take advantage of this offer. As a result, qualifying veterans can attend Drexel in Sacramento - or in Philadelphia, or on-line - for free. Information important to Drexel veterans and their families can be found on the Student Resource Center's Veteran Student Resources page.

Information about Drexel's program is on its Frequently Asked Questions financial aid web site and through its Director of Veterans Affairs. Because the VA is taking months to process applications and confirm eligibility, Drexel has gone even farther, providing provisional approval to those whom it believes are eligible. Tuition bills are then held by Drexel until the VA's decision is made, and then sent to the VA for direct payment, taking the veteran out of the middle.

Moving exceptionally quickly, Drexel was able to admit several veterans to the master's programs that began last September. Stories about our Sacramento students have been carried in the newspapers and on television. Drexel has also been declared to be a "military friendly campus" by GI Jobs Magazine.