The New York State Higher Education Services Corp. (HESC), the state agency that helps people pay for college, reminds military service men and women, veterans and their families that many financial aid options are available to help pay for college.

Veterans Tuition Awards are available for state residents who served in Indochina between Dec. 22, 1961 and Mar. 7, 1975; Persian Gulf on or after Aug. 2, 1990 and Afghanistan during hostilities on or after Sept. 11, 2001. Veterans are eligible for up to $1,000 for full-time or $500 for part-time study each semester at in-state, degree-granting institutions or approved vocational programs.

New York vets must first complete both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) applications. Details can be found on the HESC Web site on the “Military Corner” page.

Regents Awards for Children of Deceased and Disabled Veterans was created to provide financial aid to students whose parent(s) served in the U.S. Armed Forces during specified times of national emergency. The award provides $450 a year.

Students whose parent(s) served in the U.S. Armed Forces during specified periods of war or national emergency and, as a result of service, either died, suffered a 40 percent or more disability, was classified as missing in action, or was a prisoner of war. The veteran must currently be a New York State resident or have been a New York State resident at the time of death, if death occurred during or as a result of service.

To apply for this award, students must complete the FAFSA and TAP forms and establish their eligibility by completing a Children of Veterans Award Supplement form with HESC before applying for payment. Applications may be obtained by contacting the HESC Scholarship Unit at 1-888-697-4372.

Military Service Recognition Scholarship helps children, spouses and dependents of those who, while New York State residents in service in the Armed Forces of the United States or state organized militia, died, became severely and permanently disabled, or was classified as missing in action in a combat zone while engaged in hostilities or training at any time on or after Aug. 2, 1990.

The award covers up to four years of full-time undergraduate study (or five years in an approved five-year bachelor's degree program). If attending a SUNY or CUNY college, it includes the tuition and mandatory educational fees; room and board charged to the student for students living on campus (or an allowance for room and board for commuter students); plus money for books, supplies and transportation.

For students attending a private institution the scholarship will provide an award equal to SUNY four-year college tuition and mandatory educational fees (or student's actual tuition and fees, whichever is less) and money for room and board, books, supplies and transportation.

Students applying for the MSRS must first file the FAFSA and TAP applications and complete a supplemental form that is available online at the HESC Web site.

The Recruitment Incentive and Retention Program (RIRP) is a New York State program designed to recruit and retain quality members for the State Military Forces (Army and Air National Guard, and Naval Militia). This competitive program will pay tuition up to a maximum of $4,350 per calendar year for eligible qualified applicants. Candidates must complete the FAFSA as part of the application process. Details about this program can be found at the NYS Division of Military and Naval Affairs’ Web site.

Troops to Teachers is a U.S. Department of Education and Department of Defense program that helps eligible military personnel begin a new career as teachers in public schools, where their skills, knowledge and experience can be put to good use.

TTT has assisted more than 9,600 veterans begin second careers in public education since the program began in 1994; it offers $5,000 for college to help earn teacher's certification. Most participating veterans already have bachelor's degrees.

The federal government supplies the money, offering an additional $5,000 for participants to teach in high-need schools. The New York State Education Department coordinates the TTT program for veterans residing in New York. Additional details can be found at the TTT’s official Web site, Proud to Serve Again.

More information about these and other education benefits available for active duty military, veterans and families can be found at the “Military Corner” on the HESC Web site.



Student Financial Aid links for NYS Military, Veterans and families:
HESC's "military corner" www.hesc.com/content.nsf/SFC/Military_Corner
Recruitment Incentive and Retention Program (RIRP) http://www.dmna.state.ny.us/education/htm/tuition_waiver.htm
Proud to Serve Again www.proudtoserveagain.com
NYS Education Department Troops To Teachers http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/career/troopsteachers.htm
GI Bill Website http://www.gibill.va.gov/


EDITORS -- FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Joanne Razzano, Senior Communications Specialist, at (518) 473-0444, or via e-mail at jrazzano@hesc.org.