Yellow Ribbon Improvement Act of 2017

This bill revises the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program (public-private contributions for educational assistance in addition to post-9/11 educational assistance) to make such program available to: (1) the spouse or child of a service member who, on or after after September 11, 2001, dies in the line of duty while serving on active duty (Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry scholarship recipients); and (2) a service member or veteran who serves at least 36 months on active duty beginning on or after such date.

The bill provides educational assistance to individuals pursuing a degree while on active duty on more than, or less than, a half-time basis.

The program permits colleges and universities to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the VA to cover a portion of certain higher education expenses, which shall be matched by the VA.