NY State Aid Programs

New York State Veterans Tuition Awards

Veterans Tuition Awards (VTA) are awards for full-time study and part-time study for eligible veterans matriculated in an undergraduate or graduate degree program. Beginning in the 08-09 academic year a recipient shall receive 98% of tuition or $4,287.50, whichever is less, for full-time study. Full-time study is defined as twelve or more credits per semester (or the equivalent). For part-time study, awards will be prorated by credit hour. Part-time study is defined as at least three but fewer than twelve credits per semester. Eligible Veterans New York State residents discharged under other than dishonorable conditions from the U.S. Armed forces and are: Vietnam Veterans who served in Indochina between Dec. 22, 1961 and May 7, 1975. Persian Gulf Veterans who served in the Persian Gulf on or after Aug. 2, 1990. Afghanistan Veterans who served in Afghanistan during hostilities on or after Sept. 11, 2001. Veterans of the armed forces of the United States who served in hostilities that occurred after February 28, 1961 as evidenced by receipt of an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal or a Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal. To establish eligibility, complete the New York State Veterans Tuition Award Supplement or contact HESC at 1-888-697-4372. Be sure to print the Web Supplement Confirmation, sign and return it along with the required documentation according to the instructions. Questions regarding eligible service or how to document service should be directed to the HESC Scholarship Unit at 1-888-697-4372. The Veterans Tuition Award Supplement is also available at the Student Services Center in Campus Center G-26. Once you have established your eligibility, you must apply for payment. While you need only establish your eligibility once, you must apply for payment each year. Apply online by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and then linking to the TAP on the Web application. Veterans who do not anticipate filing a FAFSA may call HESC at 1-88-697-4372 to request a Scholarship Grant Payment Application. All applications must be completed by May 1 of the academic year for which payment is sought.  To learn more about programs and benefits for veterans visit the Division of Veterans Affairs.