The Military Service Recognition Scholarship (MSRS) provides financial aid to children, spouses and financial dependents of members of the armed forces of the United States or state organized militia who, at any time on or after Aug. 2, 1990, while New York State residents, died or became severely and permanently disabled while engaged in hostilities or training for hostilities.

General Information

MSRS provides financial aid to children, spouses and financial dependents of members of the armed forces of the United States or state organized militia who provided eligible military service on or after Aug 2, 1990, while New York State residents and who:
  • died or became severely and permanently disabled as a result of injury or illness suffered or incurred; or are classified as missing in action in a combat theater or combat zone of operations; or who died as a result of injuries incurred in these designated areas; OR
  • died or became severely and permanently disabled as result of injury or illness suffered or incurred during military training operations in preparation for duty in a combat theater or combat zone of operations.

MSRS is also available to members of the armed forces of the United States or state organized militia who provided eligible military service at any time on or after August 2, 1990 while New York State residents, and who became severely and permanently disabled as a result of injury or illness suffered or incurred:
  • in a combat theater or combat zone; OR
  • during military training operations in preparation for duty in a combat theater or combat zone of operations.

Scholarship Amounts

MSRS provides funds to help meet the cost of attending college. The award covers up to four years of full-time undergraduate study (or five years in an approved five-year bachelor's degree program) and includes the following components:
  • At a public college or university (SUNY or CUNY): Actual tuition and mandatory educational fees; actual room and board charged to the student for students living on campus or an allowance for room and board for commuter students; and allowances for books, supplies and transportation.
  • At a private institution: An allowance equal to SUNY four-year college tuition and mandatory educational fees (or student's actual tuition and fees, whichever is less) and allowances for room and board, books, supplies and transportation.

Receipt of other grants and scholarships may reduce the MSRS award. The total of all aid received cannot be greater than the student's Title IV cost of attendance.

Note: Legislation enacting the 2009-10 New York State budget included changes to certain grant, scholarship and loan forgiveness programs to meet statutorily mandated savings. As a result, the award amount to each student will be reduced by 2 percent.

Eligibility

Students must:
  • Study at an approved postsecondary institution in New York State.
  • Have graduated from high school in the United States, earned a GED, or passed a federally approved "Ability to Benefit" test as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department.
  • Be enrolled as a full-time student taking 12 or more credits per semester.
  • Be matriculated in an approved program of study and be in good academic standing.
  • Have at least a cumulative "C" average after receipt of two annual payments.
  • Not be in default on a student loan guaranteed by HESC or on any repayment of state awards

How to Apply

Complete and submit the Military Service Recognition Scholarship Web Supplement. Be sure to print the Web Supplement confirmation, sign it, and submit it, along with the required documentation, according to the instructions.

Once you have established your eligibility and are assigned an account number by HESC, you must do one of the following by May 1 of each academic year to request payment:
  • Current New York State residents – Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and TAP on the Web application. FAFSA and TAP applications and instructions are available on-line at www.hesc.org.
  • If you are not a resident of New York State – Contact the HESC Scholarship Unit at 1-888-697-4372 to request a Scholarship and Grant Payment Application.

Award Payment

HESC will make payments to schools on behalf of students upon certification of eligibility and submission of appropriate financial aid applications.