The University of Michigan–Ann Arbor says its Yellow Ribbon award is no longer needed because current residency and Choice Act policies address the nonresident tuition difference for qualifying military-connected students. That is different from promising that every cost is covered.
Current university explanation
Michigan’s Veteran and Military Services office states that veterans, reservists and active-duty members receive in-state tuition under university residency policy. Dependents using the Post-9/11 GI Bill receive in-state tuition treatment under the university’s Choice Act policy. The page describes Yellow Ribbon as a former way to split the nonresident-versus-resident difference between U-M and VA.
Why this distinction matters
At public universities, Post-9/11 GI Bill tuition payments generally relate to net in-state tuition and eligible fees at the student’s benefit percentage. In-state classification can therefore remove the specific gap that Yellow Ribbon previously addressed, but benefit percentage, entitlement, enrollment and which charges are certifiable still affect the result.
What students should verify
- Confirm the specific U-M campus and program.
- Provide the current Certificate of Eligibility.
- Ask whether the residency or Choice Act policy applies to the student’s status.
- Review tuition-specific scholarships and how they affect net charges.
- Separate tuition from housing, meals, insurance, books and other expenses.
- Report enrollment or program changes to the school certifying official.
Official sources
- U-M certification process and Yellow Ribbon explanation
- VA GI Bill Comparison Tool
- VA Yellow Ribbon overview
Do not rely on an older Yellow Ribbon table for U-M Ann Arbor. Confirm current campus-specific treatment directly with the university certifying official.
