Yellow Ribbon Program

Moravian University is proud to be a partner institution with the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program at the undergraduate level (up to 100 students annually), an initiative designed to help people who have served in the military in the post-9/11-era, or their dependents, attend the college of their choice. The Yellow Ribbon program is not currently offered at the graduate level.


Eligibility

You may be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program if one, or more, of the following is true:

  • You served at least 90 days on active duty (either all at once or with breaks in service) on or after September 11, 2001
  • You received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged after any amount of service
  • You served for at least 30 continuous days (all at once, without a break in service) on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged with a service-connected disability 
  • You are a dependent child using benefits transferred by a qualifying veteran or active service member

Note:  If you’re a member of the Reserves who lost education benefits when the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) ended in November 2015, you may qualify to receive restored benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.

Check your Benefits

Members of the military should contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to determine individual eligibility for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and the Yellow Ribbon Program. Once eligibility is determined by the VA, a qualifying individual should present the appropriate certificate of eligibility to Moravian University. As soon as Moravian has received the appropriate certificate of eligibility and the eligible student has been accepted for admission, Moravian will help facilitate appropriate next steps.

Program Benefits

Students who are eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program are able to attend Moravian University without paying any tuition. 

How does it work?

For students who are determined by the VA to be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program, the VA will provide the first $19,198 toward the cost of your education at Moravian University. Moravian University and VA have entered into an agreement to cost-share and cover the remaining balance of your annual cost of tuition. 

What is covered?

Students eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program who choose to live on campus will still be billed for the cost of room and board. However, the Department of VA will provide eligible students with a monthly housing allowance based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents attending school in Bethlehem, PA. At Moravian (18018 zip code). If you use that housing allowance to pay for your room and board, the benefits you receive from VA will more than cover your total cost for the year at Moravian University.

Eligible students who are planning on using the Yellow Ribbon Program benefits at Moravian University should notify the Office of Admission at the time of application for admission.

Applying for Benefits

Step 1

Apply for GI Bill® benefits online via the Department of Veterans Affairs or call 1-888-GI BILL-1 to receive a paper application. It takes 10-12 weeks to process applications, so you should wait 60 days after submission before inquiring about your application status. Once the Department of Veterans Affairs has determined your eligibility, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility in the mail. 

Step 2

Apply for admission to Moravian University’s undergraduate or graduate program while the Department of Veterans Affairs processes your benefits paperwork.

Step 3

If you’re interested in receiving federal student aid, complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Moravian University's school code is 003301.

Step 4

Once accepted to Moravian, submit (via mail or email) a copy of your DD 214 and Certificate of Eligibility to:

Tanya Nalesnik
Moravian University
1200 Main Street
Bethlehem, PA 18018
610-861-1363
nalesnikt@moravian.edu

Please contact Tanya Nalesnik directly with any additional questions or concerns during the process.

Step 5

Make arrangements to pay your bill by contacting:

Dawn Snook
Moravian University
610-861-1333
snookd@moravian.edu

Step 6

Register for courses using the login information provided by Moravian University.