SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Following an expansion, New York’s Veterans Tuition Awards program will enable more veterans to access financial aid for college. Under this expansion, all veterans who served at least four years on active-duty now qualify for full-tuition awards, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced in early July. Previously, only veterans who served in combat or […]
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Following an expansion, New York’s Veterans Tuition Awards program will enable more veterans to access financial aid for college.
Under this expansion, all veterans who served at least four years on active-duty now qualify for full-tuition awards, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced in early July.
Previously, only veterans who served in combat or a specific combat theater were eligible to receive the Veterans Tuition Awards.
The Veterans Tuition Awards — administered by the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation — provide eligible veterans with up to the full cost of SUNY undergraduate tuition at approved colleges and vocational training programs across New York state.
For the 2024-25 academic year, the program award is equal to the average SUNY undergraduate tuition rate of $7,070 or actual tuition, whichever is less. For part-time study, awards will be prorated by credit hour.
Under the expanded program, veterans with a minimum of four years of active-duty service — or those who served in combat and were honorably discharged — can now qualify. Also, veterans pursuing either full-time or part-time education can now benefit.
In addition, veterans can maximize federal financial aid and GI Bill benefits and state support, as awards are not reduced by Montgomery GI Bill benefits or Pell Grants, Hochul’s office noted.
The expanded programs will also accept applications year-round “offering greater flexibility for veterans planning their education.”
For more information or to apply, the state recommends visiting the Veterans Tuition Awards website (
https://hesc.ny.gov/vta).
