GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon, and Other VA Benefits
USC supports our veterans and military community financially - largely through our commitment to contributing to the Yellow Ribbon Program, which supplements the GI Bill at private institutions. On the graduate level, awards for Yellow Ribbon vary. Please look through the eligible graduate programs and award amounts. A reminder that the award amount from USC is matched by the VA each year.
Please use the VA’s GI Bill Comparison Tool to see how USC’s Yellow Ribbon commitment compares to other schools. You can enter your level (undergraduate, graduate), your GI Bill percentage (Yellow Ribbon applies at the 100% level), and see what your net cost will be each year at USC.
We know that Financial Aid can be difficult to navigate, which is why we want to answer your questions. Please see the FAQ Section first.
- If you have unique questions about your GI Bill or Vocational Rehabilitation benefits, please email the USC Veterans Certification Office at vets@usc.edu or call (213) 740-4619 for guidance.
- If you have general questions about financial aid, please call the Financial Aid office at 213-740-4444 or see if your question can be answered online at askUSC.
How to Use Your VA Education Benefits
For instructions on how to file to use your GI BIll or other VA Educational Benefits through the VA and USC, please read through our How to File page. In addition, please watch the video at the bottom of the Using Your Veteran Benefits at USC page. Scroll down to view the video.
Even if you are planning to use your VA Educational Benefits, please also apply for Financial Aid at USC by submitting your FAFSA and CSS Profile each year before March 2*. Read through the Continuing Undergraduate Students Dates and Deadlines.
*After viewing your USC Financial Aid package, students are then able to choose if they’d like to use their GI Bill or other VA Educational Benefits.
Graduate Yellow Ribbon Funding
The award is issued each fall term on a first-come, first served basis. First-come, first-served is measured from the date the required forms are submitted to the USC Veterans Certification Office; forms cannot be submitted prior to class registration. The number of recipients depends on award availability and program participation, therefore, the award is not guaranteed.
For a list of eligible graduate programs and award amounts, in addition to other info on the Yellow Ribbon program, please read through the USC Veterans Certification Office website.
The Post 9/11 GI Bill will contribute to private institutions up to $24,476.79 during the 2019-2020 year. Yellow Ribbon is available to supplement the remaining, depending on your degree and program.
Continued Eligibility for Yellow Ribbon Benefit Recipients
- Remain in good academic standing with USC
- All VA certified courses must be degree applicable
- Remain eligible for Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits through the VA (you can check this through the VA’s eBenefits site)
- Students who wish to receive VA educational assistance, including BAH each term, must be enrolled and must complete the online Application for Semester Entitlement (ASE) form each semester after class registration. The USC Veterans Certification Office will not certify students without a recent request on file, therefore, VA educational benefits will not be activated.
