Veterans Tuition Awards
Veterans Tuition Awards (VTA) are awards for full-time study and part-time study for eligible veterans matriculated at an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting institution or in an approved vocational training program in New York State.
NOTE: Students previously approved for this award must apply for payment each year. Those students attending a vocational school or who are attending an approved undergraduate or graduate program part-time may apply for payment for the current academic year by completing the supplement.
See How to Apply for Payment below for additional details.
Award Amounts
For full-time study, a recipient shall receive an award of up to the full cost of undergraduate tuition for New York state residents at the State University of New York, or actual tuition charged, whichever is less. Full-time study is defined as twelve or more credits per semester (or the equivalent) at a degree-granting institution, or twenty-four or more hours per week in a vocational training program.
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 (or the equivalent) at a degree-granting institution, or six to twenty-three hours per week in a vocational training program.
2008 – 2009 Awards
For the 2008-09 academic year, awards will be set at 98% of tuition or $4,287.50, whichever is less. If a Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) award is also received, the combined academic year award cannot exceed tuition. Thus, the TAP award may be reduced accordingly.
Duration
Full-time Study
Undergraduate Degree-Granting Programs - Awards are available for up to eight semesters (four years) of undergraduate study. Awards can be made available for up to semesters of undergraduate study for enrollment in an approved five-year program or for enrollment in an approved program of remedial study.
Graduate Degree-Granting Programs - Awards are available for up to six semesters (three years) of graduate study.
Vocational Training Programs - Awards are available for up to a maximum of four semesters (two years) of study in an approved vocational training program.
Part-time Study
Undergraduate Degree-Granting Programs - Awards are available for up to the equivalent of eight semesters (four years) of full-time undergraduate study in a four-year program. Awards can be made available for up to the equivalent of ten semesters (five years) of full-time study for enrollment in an approved five-year undergraduate study.
Graduate Degree-Granting Programs - Awards are available for up to the equivalent of six semesters (three years) of part-time graduate study.
Vocational Training Programs - Awards are available for up to a maximum of eight semesters (four years) of part-time study in an approved vocational training program.
Approved programs are defined as undergraduate degree, graduate degree, diploma, and certificate programs at degree-granting institutions, or noncredit vocational training programs of at least 320 clock hours specifically approved by the New York State Division of Veteran's Affairs' Bureau of Veterans Education.
Eligible Veterans
Eligible students are those who are New York State residents discharged under honorable conditions from the U.S. Armed forces and who are:
-Vietnam Veterans who served in Indochina between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975.
-Persian Gulf Veterans who served in the Persian Gulf on or after August 2, 1990.
-Afghanistan Veterans who served in Afghanistan during hostilities on or after September 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.
These students must also:
Establish eligibility by applying to HESC.
Be New York State residents.
Be US Citizens or eligible noncitizens.
Be matriculated full or part- time at an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting institution in New York State or in an approved vocational training program in New York State.
Have applied for the Tuition Assistance Program for full-time undergraduate or graduate study.
How to Establish Eligibility
Complete the New York State Veterans Tuition Award Supplement or contact HESC. 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.
How to Apply for Payment
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 for payment as follows:
Undergraduate and Graduate Full-time Study - Apply for payment by doing one of the following:
Apply online by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — the form used by virtually all colleges, universities and vocational schools for awarding federal student aid and most state and college aid — and then linking to the TAP on the Web application,
or
For veterans who do not anticipate filing a FAFSA, complete a Scholarship Grant Payment Application. For a copy of the application call HESC at 1-888-697-4372.
Undergraduate Part-time Study - Complete only the Veterans Tuition Award Supplement.
Graduate Part-time Study - Complete only the Veterans Tuition Award Supplement.
Vocational Training Program - Complete only the Veterans Tuition Award Supplement.
Applications must be completed by May 1, 2009 for awards for the 2008-09 academic year.
