Knox College Offers Veterans Free Tuition under Yellow Ribbon Program

Veterans returning from Iraq, Afghanistan, and other duty stations will be able to attend Knox College tuition-free under the Veterans Administration's new Yellow Ribbon program.

The Yellow Ribbon Program is part of the Post-9/11 GI Bill^® and provides additional assistance to veterans who enroll in private colleges. By joining the program, Knox agrees to provide additional financial assistance for veterans returning from service, ensuring that they have an opportunity to experience a private liberal arts college education.

"Veterans who have served our country deserve the best our country has to offer -- that includes the opportunity to attend the college of their choice," said Knox President Roger Taylor, who, as a veteran of Vietnam, attended Northwestern Law School on the GI Bill^®. "Educating our nation's veterans is a privilege. I'm glad we are able to help them take advantage of the challenging, personalized education that Knox offers."

Under the traditional GI Bill^®, veterans receive a maximum tuition benefit equivalent to the most expensive state institution's tuition. Under the Yellow Ribbon program, qualified returning veterans receive an additional benefit that covers the remaining tuition expense of a private college. At Knox, the additional cost is paid by Knox College with a matching grant from the VA.

"This is a great deal for veterans," explains Paul Steenis, dean of admission. "Through the GI Bill^® and Yellow Ribbon program, veterans will be able to get a tuition-free education at Knox."

According to the Federation of Illinois Independent Colleges and Universities (FIICU), one in four of all college students in Illinois, and more than half of those at four-year schools, attend private colleges.

The program takes effect on August 1. More information on the Yellow Ribbon Program are available at the VA website http://www.gibill.va.gov. Details about the Knox benefit are available from the Knox College Office of Financial Aid at 309-341-7149.

Founded in 1837, Knox is a national liberal arts college in Galesburg, Illinois, with students from 47 states and 48 countries. Knox's "Old Main" is a National Historic Landmark and the only building remaining from the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.