Three local colleges are taking part in a new federal program that will allow military veterans who have served in the post-9/11 era to attend school for reduced or, in some cases, free tuition.

Salem State, Endicott College and Gordon College have all agreed to participate in the "Yellow Ribbon Program," which is part of the new Post-9/11 GI Bill program that goes into effect Aug. 1.

The program could allow certain veterans to attend Salem State at "little or no cost," said Sam Ohannesian, the college's veterans affairs officer.

"It's an excellent program," he said.

The new GI Bill pays for a veteran's tuition at any college up to a certain amount, based on the highest undergraduate in-state tuition at a public school in that state.

The figure for Massachusetts has not been set yet, but Ohannesian said it could be as much as $7,000 per year to a veteran, depending on how long he or she has served.

On top of that, veterans can save even more at colleges that have agreed to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. That benefit could be worth an additional $6,000 at Endicott College in Beverly and Gordon College in Wenham and $5,000 at Salem State.

At Salem State, where the tuition and fees are much lower than at Gordon or Endicott, the combined benefits could pay for a veteran's entire education, Ohannesian said.

Veterans attending graduate school at Endicott College could also end up going for free, according to the college.

The enhanced Yellow Ribbon benefit will be limited to 10 students at Salem State. Ohannesian said seven veterans have already applied.

The new GI Bill will also pay a book stipend of up to $1,000 and a monthly housing allowance of up to $2,128 for certain veterans with dependents.

Jerry Guilebbe, the veterans' agent for the city of Beverly, said he's been getting a lot of calls from veterans with questions about the new benefits.

"We've got a lot of North Shore veterans, and they should take advantage of the fact that we've got colleges here on the North Shore to attend," he said. "It's a great opportunity for people to jump back into school."

For more information on the program, go to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Web site at www.va.gov.

Staff writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2675 or by e-mail at pleighton@salemnews.com.