Hollins University has been certifying eligible students for Veterans Educational Benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs for more than 24 years. We are part of the Yellow Ribbon Program network, providing benefits to veterans, or their dependents, who qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.®  This institution is approved to offer GI Bill® educational benefits by the Virginia State Approving Agency. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.

Photo courtesy of Military.com

Determining Eligibility

  • Members of the military should contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to determine eligibility for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) and Yellow Ribbon Program, or any of the other chapters under the GI Bill.®
  • Once the VA determines eligibility, contact the registrar’s office. For fall 2023, please contact the School Certifying Official, Kalyca Schultz, at kschultz@hollins.edu.

Chapter 33: Post-9/11 GI Bill®

Beginning August 1, 2009, the educational benefits available to veterans were substantially increased under the provisions of the “Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act.”

The law provides for payment of tuition and fees, a housing allowance, and a stipend for books and supplies for eligible veterans who have served on active military duty since September 11, 2001. For enrollment beginning August 1, 2023, the maximum tuition and fees benefit for students at a private institution is $27,120.05.

Yellow Ribbon Program Enhancement to the Post-9/11 GI Bill®

Individuals who qualify for the maximum benefit rate under the Post-9/11 GI Bill® may be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program if:

  • You served an aggregate period of active duty after Sept. 10, 2001, of at least 36 months and were honorably discharged;
  • You were honorably discharged from active duty for a service-connected disability and you served 30 continuous days after Sept. 10, 2001;
  • You are a dependent who received benefits transferred from an eligible Service Member.

Beginning August 1, 2023, the Post-9/11 GI Bill® will pay up to $27,120.05 for the 2023-24 academic year.

Yellow Ribbon Program and Hollins

  • The program allows colleges with tuition greater than $27,120.05 per academic year to enter into an agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs to share remaining tuition costs.
  • Hollins offers up to $10,000 per academic year per eligible student for tuition. In most cases, an identical match by the VA provides a grant large enough to cover the full cost of tuition and fees for a Yellow Ribbon-eligible veteran (or his/her eligible dependent).
  • The Post-9/11 GI Bill® provides a monthly housing allowance for an eligible veteran (or his/her eligible dependent). You’ll find information on how to calculate this amount under the Post-9/11 GI Bill® information link on the GI Bill® website.

Call to Active Duty

  • Information for military students, both undergraduate and graduate, regarding leave for active military duty (PDF).

Higher Education Opportunity Act

  • Hollins complies with requirements for Readmission of Veterans as defined in the “Higher Education Opportunity Act.”
  • Any student who provides the requisite documentation of eligibility and is readmitted to Hollins under the terms of the statute will return with the same academic status as when last in attendance.
  • Re-admittance is guaranteed up to five years as long as the veteran has not been dishonorably discharged.
  • Service members separating from the military under certain conditions (including veterans receiving a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge, or who are sentenced in a court-martial) are not eligible for readmission under the terms of the Higher Education Opportunity Act. Those individuals may seek return to the university under the academic policies applicable to all students.