DePaul University will participate in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program, which covers almost all tuition expenses for veterans who qualify for the Post 9/11 GI Bill at 100 percent of the benefit.

Under the program, DePaul will match the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ contribution to cover any outstanding tuition and fees above those covered by the base GI Bill benefit who are eligible at 100 percent.

“Returning military veterans have been an important part of DePaul’s student body since World War II,” said Paula Luff, assistant vice president of financial aid at DePaul. “For this reason, DePaul is participating in the Yellow Ribbon GI Bill Program, which will allow eligible veterans to essentially attend DePaul free of charge.”

As a Yellow Ribbon participant, DePaul will fund 50 percent of the difference between DePaul’s tuition cost and the base GI Bill benefit. The VA covers the other 50 percent. The Post 9/11 GI Bill base benefit at 100 percent, DePaul’s commitment and the VA’s match cover the entire annual tuition for a full-time undergraduate at DePaul. The program is available to undergraduate and graduate students. The actual amount a student will receive will vary depending on his or her actual enrollment and cost of education.

Institutions elect to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program on an annual basis and are not required to commit to participation beyond a one-year period. For the 2009-10 academic year, which begins in August, DePaul is electing to participate with no cap on the number of participating students. All students must meet existing admission standards for the programs in which they wish to enroll.

“DePaul’s full participation in this program demonstrates its commitment to making a DePaul education financially viable for students who may not have access to a high-quality, private higher education – especially students who served our country,” Luff said.

Meanwhile, returning military personnel can apply for admission to DePaul and receive an instant admission decision through DePaul’s accelerated admission program. Veterans interested in enrolling at DePaul through this program should contact DePaul’s Office of Admission at (312) 362-8464 to make an appointment and determine what documents the veteran needs to bring in for review. On-the-spot admission decisions are made at those meetings.

“In recognition of their sacrifice and service to our country, DePaul is proud to offer an accelerated admission program to streamline the process for our returning service men and women,” said Pamela Lee, associate director of transfer admissions.

If a student is admitted, he or she can meet with an admission counselor to get a preliminary review of how prior post-secondary college credit hours will transfer and find out more about financial aid and orientation. DePaul also will waive the $40 application fee for returning war veterans.

For more information about the admission process, please contact Pamela Lee at (312) 362-8464 or visit www.depaul.edu/admission/index.asp. For more information about veterans’ benefits, visit the VA Web site at www.gibill.va.gov/.

For more information about services available to veterans at DePaul, please visit http://studentaffairs.depaul.edu/va/#Link6.