Benefits for Veterans
Veteran's benefits are available for students in both undergraduate and graduate programs.
This information pertains to the 2011-2012 academic year.
Post 9/11 GI Bill
Veterans who served a minimum of 90 days active duty after September 11, 2001 (or 30 continuous days and were discharged due to a service connected disability), are eligible for education benefits under the Post 9/11 GI Bill and may be eligible for additional benefits through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Additional information on the Post 9/11 GI Bill is available online.
Benefits from Post 9/11 GI Bill
- Tuition and Fees —The VA will pay a maximum amount of $17,500 per year. Students eligible for the maximum VA benefits may be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program, which could cover all additional costs over $17,500.
- Monthly Housing Allowance — This amount is based on the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) calculations. The monthly housing allowance is paid directly to the student after enrollment verification.
- Annual Stipend for Books and Supplies — A maximum amount of $1,000 per year based on enrollment during the academic year.
Who Qualifies
The amount of active duty service determines the maximum percentage of benefit eligibility:
| Active Duty Service after 9/10/01 |
% of Maximum Benefit Payable |
| 36 months or more |
100% and eligible for Yellow Ribbon |
30 continuous days or more and
discharged due to service-connected disability |
100% and eligible for Yellow Ribbon |
| 30 months, but less than 36 months |
90 |
| 24 months, but less than 30 months |
80 |
| 18 months, but less than 24 months |
70 |
| 12 months, but less than 18 months |
60 |
| 06 months, but less than 12 months |
50 |
| 90 days, but less than 06 months |
40 |
Remember, the VA will make the final determination of your percentage of maximum benefit payable for the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
Yellow Ribbon Program
North Park University is pleased to participate in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program). A provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, this program provides matching funds from the Department of Veterans Affairs as a supplement to the Post- 9/11 GI Bill.
How it Works
After the post-9/11 GI Bill benefit is applied to those at the 100% benefit level, North Park would waive half of the remaining tuition and the VA would match this amount. This would enable qualified students to attend North Park tuition free.
The Yellow Ribbon covers tuition and mandatory fees. Fees are not represented in the example below. These benefits will replace merit scholarships. Yellow Ribbon recipients will also receive a monthly housing allowance and an annual stipend for books and supplies which are both sent from the VA directly to the student. Students who are eligible for the Illinois MAP Grant will have those funds applied after the GI Bill and before the Yellow Ribbon Funds.
Yellow Ribbon Benefits Example
| North Park University Tuition |
$20,990 |
| Less: Post 9/11 GI Bill |
$17,500 |
| Less: North Park Yellow Ribbon Waiver |
$1,745 |
| Less: VA Yellow Ribbon Program Match |
$1,745 |
| Amount Student Owes |
$0 |
Who Qualifies
Individuals who meet one of the following standards:
- Served an aggregate period of at least 36 months after September 11, 2001
- Were honorably discharged from active duty for a service connected disability and served 30 continuous days after September 11, 2001
- Are dependents eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill
Next Steps
- Veterans need to bring a copy of their discharge paper (DD-214), and their certificate of eligibility to Aaron Schoof in Student Administrative Services. Aaron can be reached at 773-244-5564 or via email. Students who have not received their certificate of eligibility can apply for it online.
- Students can contact Rob Berki in the Admission Office to indicate their veteran status.