To apply for Yellow Ribbon benefits at Clemson University, please click here:
Yellow Ribbon Application.
The Yellow Ribbon Program is available each year to 50 out of state undergraduate
students. As required by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the program is
offered to students on a 'first come, first serve' basis.
The Yellow Ribbon Program is only available to out of state students that are
entitled to receive 100% of Chapter 33 benefits, as determined by the VA.
Clemson University and the Department of Veterans Affairs enter an agreement
whereby each party offers a student $1,750.00 per semester towards the out
of state cost of tuition.
Students approved for the Yellow Ribbon Program will be notified by letter.
United States' Veterans
Clemson University is approved by the Veterans Administration as a training
facility for eligible veterans, servicepersons, reservists, widows and children
of veterans. Eligibility and equivalent educational benefits are determined by
the Veterans Administration (VA). The office of the certifying official coordinates the University's services to the students attending classes and
receiving veteran's educational benefits. The certifying official collects,
completes and processes the required substantiating documentation. In addition,
the certifying official offers information about services on campus to assist
with educational, career, personal and financial concerns. The office also
serves as a point-of-contact and direct liaison between the veteran, the
University and the Veterans Administration. The certifying official is not part
of the Veterans Administration, but an employee of Clemson University. Application for Veteran's Benefits
VA applications are designed to obtain the necessary information to determine your eligibility for educational assistance.
Students may apply for educational benefits after being accepted to the University. Information
regarding eligibility, applications, and certification may be obtained from the
Veterans Administration (1-888-GI-BILL-1). Students should complete VONAPP (http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/requirements.asp)
located on the VA website at www.va.gov.
Types of Education Assistance Programs Chapter 33 (August 2008) Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill
Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation Chapter 35 Dependents Assistance Chapter 1606 Select Reserve Chapter 1607 REAP Active duty after 9/11/2001Receiving Benefits Certificate of Eligibility
Once the Department of Veteran's Affairs has received your application and all the necessary documentation, the claim will be processed.
Veterans and eligible dependents will receive notification of this action in the form of a Certificate of Eligibility. This certificate will
indicate the type of benefit you are entitled to, the number of months you have to use your benefit and the date your benefit will expire.
Enrollment Certification
The University Certifying Official reports all the information regarding your enrollment to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Any changes
in enrollment is electronically submitted to the DVA. Students receiving benefits under Chapter 30, 1606 & 1607 are required to confirm
their enrollment status to the VA at the end of each month.
Upon receipt of all required documentation, the certifying official will forward an Enrollment Certificate to the Veterans Administration
Regional Office. No paperwork will automatically be prepared and forwarded to the Veterans Administration for processing and payment without
the student's request. Students must complete the Veterans Certification Request Form for each term that they wish to receive benefits. Completed
forms should be forwarded to the office of the Certifying Official.
Audits, Withdrawals, Non-required Courses & Repeating a Course
The VA prohibits payment for any course that is not required for graduation. This includes repeats of a grade 'D' or better (unless a higher grade is required),
withdrawals; the Co-op program and excessive electives cannot be certified. This does not apply for courses that you failed and must have for graduation. If you
are unsure if a class can be certified, please contact our office at 656-5280.
Changes in Student Student Status
All students using education benefits from the VA are required by law to keep the University Certifying Official informed of all of the
following:
Periods of enrollment
Audits & withdrawals
Change of major
Curriculum year changes
Course substitutions
Address change
Dropping the enrolled credit load below the minimums shown above may result in a retroactive reduction in benefits and a debt to the VA.
Several different methods are used to collect over-payments. A statement of mitigating circumstances and supportive documentation
may need to be submitted to the Veterans Administration.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
All students receiving education benefits from the VA are required to maintain academic progress according to the standards established by
Clemson University. Clemson University's Standards of Progress are submitted to the state approving agency and the Department of Veteran's
Affairs. Students who do not maintain satisfactory progress will have their benefits discounted and the Certifying Official will inform
the VA of this action. The VA will determine the conditions for reinstatement of benefits.
General Information
The Veterans Administration Educational Benefits are paid on a monthly basis.
Students are required to pay the usual fees to the University at the time of
registration. The first benefit check will be received approximately six to
eight weeks after the first day of class.
Veterans Administration programs and policies and University services and procedures frequently change.
Students should maintain contact with the certifying official's office.
Students' enrollment will be certified by semester or session. Payment
should be continuous (including intervals between terms) if the students'
request is received at least 40 days before the next enrollment period and there
is not a break of 30 days or more between the semesters or sessions.
If a student withdraws from the University, drops a course that changes their
training time (see chart below), or changes their major, they should contact
this office about the necessary forms to complete.
Jennifer Elliott, Certifying Official Phone: 864-656-5280 Fax: 864-656-0622
E-mail: elliot3@clemson.edu Location and Mailing Address: Clemson
University 102 Sikes Hall Office of Records and Registration Box
345125 Clemson, SC 29634-5125
Atlanta Regional Processing Office
Phone: 1-888-442-4551 (1-888-GIBILL-1) E-mail:
atlrpo@vba.va.gov Mailing Address: Department of Veterans Affairs
RPO P. O. Box 100022 Decatur, GA 30031-7022
> Registrar > U.S. Veterans