Virginia is home to some of the nation’s most prestigious universities and has a strong tradition of supporting veterans. With schools like the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, and George Mason University, the Commonwealth offers excellent Yellow Ribbon options for both public and private education.
Virginia Yellow Ribbon Overview
Virginia’s Yellow Ribbon landscape includes generous public universities and several private institutions with unlimited funding. The state’s proximity to Washington, D.C. makes it particularly attractive for veterans transitioning to civilian careers in government, defense contracting, and technology.
| School | Type | Student Limit | Annual Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty University | Private | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| George Mason University | Public | Unlimited | $5,000 (+VA match) |
| University of Virginia | Public | Limited | First-come basis |
| Virginia Tech | Public | 20 | $2,500 (+VA match) |
| William & Mary | Public | 5 | $1,000/semester |
Top Yellow Ribbon Schools in Virginia
Liberty University
Liberty University offers one of the most generous Yellow Ribbon programs in the nation, with unlimited funding for unlimited students across most programs. As one of the largest Christian universities, Liberty has a particularly strong commitment to military and veteran students.
| Liberty University Yellow Ribbon Benefits | |
|---|---|
| Student Limit | Unlimited |
| Funding Cap (Most Programs) | Unlimited |
| Aeronautics Programs Cap | $11,500/year |
| Online SOA Cap | $13,100 (+$13,100 VA match) |
| Application Required | No—automatic |
Military Tuition Discounts (Stackable):
- Undergraduate: $250 per credit hour
- Graduate: $290 per credit hour
- Doctoral: $375 per credit hour
Eligibility:
- 100% Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility required
- Active duty and spouses eligible as of August 1, 2022
- Must have remaining entitlement
Contact: Office of Military Affairs – VABenefits@liberty.edu
George Mason University
Located in Fairfax, Virginia—just outside Washington, D.C.—George Mason offers unlimited Yellow Ribbon slots for eligible students. The university is designated a Military Friendly® School and provides comprehensive support through its Office of Military Services.
| George Mason University Yellow Ribbon Benefits | |
|---|---|
| Student Limit | Unlimited |
| Mason Contribution | $5,000/year |
| VA Match | $5,000/year |
| Total Maximum Coverage | $10,000/year |
| Eligible Levels | Undergraduate, Graduate, Law |
How to Apply:
- Submit VA Certificate of Eligibility showing 100% CH33 benefits
- Email to regyrbr@gmu.edu or fax to (703) 993-2467
- Complete the Veterans Registration Reporting Form (VRRF)
- Indicate “Chapter 33 Yellow Ribbon: New YR Applicant”
Location Advantage: GMU’s Northern Virginia campus provides excellent access to federal agencies, defense contractors, and tech companies—ideal for career transition.
University of Virginia
UVA, one of the nation’s top public universities, participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program for out-of-state students. Applications are accepted beginning August 1st for each academic year, with funds awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
| University of Virginia Yellow Ribbon Benefits | |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | August 1st annually |
| Award Basis | First-come, first-served |
| Eligibility | 100% Post-9/11 GI Bill |
| Active Duty Eligible | Yes (as of Aug 2022) |
UVA Law School: Through the Veterans Choice Act, all veterans and active-duty military using benefits qualify for in-state tuition rates regardless of prior Virginia residency.
Note: Military educational benefits may impact other financial aid eligibility at UVA. Contact the financial aid office for personalized guidance.
Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech offers Yellow Ribbon funding for 20 undergraduate students annually, with an average award of approximately $2,171 (matched by the VA for a total of $4,342).
| Virginia Tech Yellow Ribbon Benefits (2024-25) | |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Slots | 20 |
| Average Award | ~$2,171 (+VA match) |
| In-State Tuition (2024-25) | $15,950/year |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $37,777/year |
| Out-of-State Cost (On-Campus) | $50,135/year |
Contact: Office of Veteran Services at (540) 231-5815 or veteran@vt.edu
Location: 220 Gilbert Place, Blacksburg, VA 24061
William & Mary
William & Mary, one of the oldest and most prestigious public universities in America, offers limited Yellow Ribbon funding but provides strong veteran support services. The school ranks #2 among graduate schools in the 2025-2026 Military Friendly® School survey.
| William & Mary Yellow Ribbon Benefits | |
|---|---|
| Student Limit | 5 |
| Contribution (Per Semester) | $1,000 (+VA match) |
| Annual Total (With VA Match) | ~$4,000 |
| Military Friendly® Ranking | #2 Graduate Schools |
| Eligible Levels | Undergraduate and Graduate |
In-State Tuition for Veterans: William & Mary complies with the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act (Section 702), granting in-state tuition to qualifying veterans and dependents.
Understanding Virginia In-State Tuition for Veterans
Virginia public universities offer in-state tuition to qualifying veterans under federal law. This often eliminates the need for Yellow Ribbon entirely.
Who Qualifies for In-State Rates:
- Veterans using Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)
- Veterans using VR&E (Chapter 31)
- Dependents using transferred benefits
- Must enroll within 3 years of discharge (some schools have extended this)
Comparison: Yellow Ribbon Need by Situation
| Your Situation | Yellow Ribbon Needed? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| In-state student at public VA school | No | GI Bill covers 100% in-state |
| Out-of-state within 3 years of discharge | No | VACAA provides in-state rates |
| Out-of-state, 3+ years post-discharge | Yes | Covers out-of-state differential |
| Private school (Liberty, etc.) | Yes | Covers tuition above GI Bill cap |
| Graduate/professional programs | Often | Higher tuition may exceed cap |
Additional Virginia Yellow Ribbon Schools
| School | Location | Type | Notable Programs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Dominion University | Norfolk | Public | Engineering, Cybersecurity |
| James Madison University | Harrisonburg | Public | Business, Education |
| Virginia Commonwealth Univ. | Richmond | Public | Medicine, Arts |
| Regent University | Virginia Beach | Private | Law, Business, Divinity |
| University of Richmond | Richmond | Private | Business, Law |
How to Apply for Virginia Yellow Ribbon Benefits
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Verify you have 100% Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility and obtain your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA.
Step 2: Determine If You Need Yellow Ribbon
If you’re attending a Virginia public university and qualify for in-state tuition under VACAA, you may not need Yellow Ribbon at all.
Step 3: Apply to Your School
Some schools (like Liberty) automatically enroll eligible students. Others (like UVA) require applications beginning August 1st. Check each school’s specific requirements.
Step 4: Apply Early for Limited Programs
Schools with limited slots (Virginia Tech: 20, William & Mary: 5) award on a first-come, first-served basis. Apply immediately when the window opens.
Resources for Virginia Veterans
- VA Yellow Ribbon School Search
- Virginia Department of Veterans Services
- Virginia State Council of Higher Education – Military Education
- College Scorecard – Compare outcomes
- Service to School – Free application assistance
This guide is updated regularly. For the most current Yellow Ribbon funding amounts and participant limits, verify with individual schools and the VA’s official database.
