New York Military and Veterans Education Benefits
New York State offers several programs, through the Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC), to assist veterans, active-duty service members, New York National Guard service members and members of their immediate families pursue higher education.
Each program has its own benefits, requirements and application process. To obtain specific information about the programs listed below, review the details on HSEC’s web page.
RIRP is a state program for New York National Guard service members that will pay
the cost of tuition up to SUNY (State University of New York) tuition rates. Service
members must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree producing program either full
or part time. RIRP may be used for no more than eight semesters of full-time study
(exceptions apply for five-year programs), or no more than 16 semesters of part time
study. The maximum award service members can receive is $1,700 per semester and $3,400
per calendar year.
VTA offers awards for full-time and part-time study for eligible Veterans enrolled in an approved undergraduate or graduate degree program, or an approved vocational training program in New York. Awards are made up to the SUNY (State University of New York) tuition rates.
Full-time study is defined as 12 or more credits per semester (or the equivalent) or 24 or more hours per week in a vocational training program.
Part-time study is defined as at least three but fewer than 12 credits per semester (or the equivalent) or six to 23 hours per week in a vocational training program.
VTA can be used in conjunction with the Montgomery GI Bill but may not be used with the Yellow Ribbon program or the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Combined tuition benefits available to a student cannot exceed the actual tuition.
Veterans can receive awards for up to 10 semesters for undergraduate degrees, six
semesters for graduate degrees and four semesters for vocational training programs.
The New York State MERIT Scholarship provides financial aid to the children, spouse and financial dependents of service members who were serving in the U.S. Armed Forces or the New York National Guard and died or became severely and permanently disabled in the line of duty. MERIT is also available to resident Veterans who become severely and permanently disabled as a result of injury or illness that occurred in the line of duty.
MERIT awards cover tuition for four years of full-time undergraduate study (exceptions
apply for five-year programs) up to SUNY (State University of New York) tuition rates.
MERIT can also be used to cover non-tuition costs such as books, supplies, transportation
and room and board costs. Recipients can receive up to a maximum of $13,415 per semester
if living on campus and a maximum of $8,250 per semester if commuting to college.
(CDDV): The CDDV provides financial aid to students whose parent(s) served in the U.S. Armed
Forces during specific times of military conflict. This award is $450 per year.
Who is eligible for the New York State Regents Awards for CDDVs? For the child of a Veteran to be eligible the Veteran must be a current New York resident
or was a New York Resident at the time of their death and must meet one of the following
requirements:
- Died during a specified time period while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces
- Awarded a 40% or more service-connected disability rating from the VA
- Declared missing in action or a prisoner of war
Served during one of the following times of military conflict:
- Afghanistan - September 18, 2001, through end of hostilities
- Iraq - October 16, 2002, through end of hostilities
- Persian Gulf - August 2, 1990, through end of hostilities
- Vietnam/Indochina - December 22, 1961, through May 7, 1975
- Korean Conflict - June 27, 1950, through January 31, 1955
- World War II - December 7, 1941, through December 31, 1946
- World War I – April 6, 1917, through November 11, 1918
- Merchant Seaman during the period from December 7, 1941, through August 15, 1945
- Received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for service in:
- Panama – December 20, 1989, through January 31, 1990
- Grenada – October 23, 1983, through November 23, 1983
- Lebanon – June 1, 1983, through December 1, 1987