Outside Awards
VA Benefits for Graduate Students
Individual schools and departments within Stanford are responsible for providing the Yellow Ribbon contribution for eligible graduate and professional students. The Financial Aid Office coordinates receipts of funds with responsible individuals in each school. VA tuition/fees benefits are front-loaded, rather than distributed evenly across the quarters of the academic year, and you may exhaust your tuition/fees benefits before the end of the academic year.
Receipt of VA educational benefits does not impact your eligibility for federal student loan programs. However, your departmental funding may be affected. Each graduate program has its own funding rules, so be sure to contact the student services officer in your department or school for details.
Below is an example of a graduate student who qualifies for VA Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) benefits at the 100% level for the full academic year 2022–2023. This example assumes enrollment at the 8/9/10-unit tuition rate (non-Engineering) and an institutional Yellow Ribbon match annual cap of $15,000 a year. Please keep in mind that your individual amounts by quarter will vary based on your actual charges for tuition and eligible fees, your eligibility level (percentage), and the Yellow Ribbon annual maximum for students in your program.
Sample Funding by Quarter for Chapter 33 Benefits
| Funding Type | Autumn | Winter | Spring | Total |
| VA Chapter 33 Tuition/Fees Base Benefit | $14,737 | $11,644 | $0 | $26,381 |
| Stanford Yellow Ribbon Contribution | $0 | $1,546 | $7,369 | $8,915 |
| VA Yellow Ribbon Match | $0 | $1,547 | $7,368 | $8,915 |
| VA Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) | $11,277 | $11,277 | $11,277 | $33,831 |
| Estimated VA Books Benefit* | $334 | $333 | $333 | $1,000 |
| Total | $26,348 | $26,347 | $26,347 | $79,042 |
* The actual amount of your books benefit per quarter is based on your eligibility percentage and the number of course units for which you are enrolled. For students who are eligible at 100%, the benefit is $41.67 per unit, up to an annual maximum of $1,000.
Updated on April 4, 2022 1:36 PM
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