The New York State Legislature initially established the Vietnam Veterans Tuition Award program in 1984, to provide tuition assistance for full-time or part-time undergraduate study. The program has been renamed and expanded to include veterans of other conflicts and to provide awards for graduate as well as undergraduate study.

Eligible veterans 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.

For full-time study, veterans are eligible for an award equal to the amount of undergraduate tuition for New York State residents charged by the State University of New York, or actual tuition charged, whichever is less.

For part-time study, awards are prorated by credit hour. Part-time study for Veterans Tuition Awards is defined as at least three but fewer than 12 semester hours (or the equivalent) at degree-granting institutions or 6-23 hours per week in a vocational training program.

Awards are available for up to four years of undergraduate study, or five years for enrollment in an approved 5-year program; up to three years of graduate study at degree-granting institutions; and for a maximum of two years of study in approved vocational training programs.