On November 11, as the country observed Veterans Day, the U.S. Military Veterans of SMU and the Cox School’s Veterans in Business Club honored SMU students, alumni, faculty and staff who served in the Global War on Terror at a noon ceremony in the Rock Garden, between the Cox School and the Hughes-Trigg Student Center. University and Cox School of Business students who organized the event raised funds, including sponsorship from 7-Eleven, to dedicate a special plaque commemorating that service. Cox Professor of Practice Jason Galui, a former lieutenant colonel in the Army, was the keynote speaker. Galui taught and mentored two generations of West Point cadets.  He deployed to Kabul in 2011-2012 and served as Strategic Advisor to the Commanding General of the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan. Commissioned as an Armor officer, Galui led soldiers in combat during the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq and held leadership positions from the platoon level to the White House. The dedication ceremony was followed by a casual luncheon in the EY Gallery.

Cox School Increases Yellow Ribbon Funding for Active Duty and Military Veterans

To broaden opportunities for vets and active duty members of the Armed Forces pursuing graduate business degrees, the Cox School of Business has expanded funding for the Yellow Ribbon Program, which in turn increases Veterans Administration matching funds. This makes it possible for SMU Cox to fully cover tuition and fees for active duty military and veterans who are 100% eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits who are admitted into Cox MBA and Specialized Masters programs.  

“We’re proud to be able to increase opportunities for our military service providers,” said Cox School of Business Dean Matthew B. Myers, a veteran who understands first-hand the difference this benefit can make. A medic in the US Army Airborne from 1979 to 1982, the GI Bill helped Myers cover his college costs after he returned from military duty.

“Removing potential cost barriers to a graduate business education is one way we can show our appreciation for the men and women who’ve dedicated at least part of their lives to answering our country’s call,” Myers said. “It is our privilege to provide them the education they need to achieve further success in their current and/or post-military careers.” 

The Cox School has increased its Yellow Ribbon funding from $7,500 a year per eligible student to $15,000. When matched by the Veterans Administration, the financial support fully covers tuition, general student fees, health center fee and Cox program fee for the Full-Time MBA, Professional MBA, One-Year MBA and Online MBA. The Executive MBA program, which targets seasoned business leaders, is 83% covered by Yellow Ribbon and GI Bill funding. GI Bill students can expect an estimated out-of-pocket cost of $21,000, which can be reduced with additional scholarship funding. More than 8% of MBA students who began their degree program this fall are military veterans or active duty. Several of them actively participate in the Cox School’s Veterans in Business Club.

The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher learning in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the Veterans Administration (VA) to fund tuition expenses that exceed the tuition cap for private institutions in an academic year. The institution can contribute up to 50% of those expenses and the VA will match the same amount as the institution.

Active duty military and veterans interested in learning more about expanded scholarship duties for Cox School graduate programs may contact: mbainfo@smu.edu or call 214-768-4648. Applications for 2022 program enrollment are now being accepted.