Veterans Tuition Awards (VTA) provide up to $1,000 per semester for full-time study or $500 per semester for part-time study to 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 may apply for payment for the current academic year using the supplement if they are attending a vocational school or are part-time students attending an approved undergraduate or graduate program.

Award Amounts

    • For full-time study, awards are $1,000 per semester, or tuition, whichever is less. Full-time study is defined as 12 or more credits per semester (or the equivalent) at a degree-granting institution, or 24 or more hours per week in a vocational training program.
    • For part-time study, awards are $500 per semester, or tuition, whichever is less. Part-time study is defined as 3-11 credits per semester (or the equivalent) at a degree-granting institution, or 6-23 hours per week in a vocational training program.
    • Total undergraduate and graduate veterans tuition awards received cannot exceed $10,000.

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.

Study Requirements

Full-time Study
    • Undergraduate Degree-Granting Programs - Awards are available for up to 8 semesters (4 years) of undergraduate study. Awards can be made available for up to 10 semesters of undergraduate study for enrollment in a 5-year program or for enrollment in an approved program of remedial study.
    • Graduate Degree-Granting Programs - Awards are available for up to 6 semesters (3 years) of graduate study.
    • Vocational Training Programs - Awards are available for up to a maximum of 4 semesters (2 years) of study in an approved vocational training program.
Part-time Study
    • Undergraduate Degree-Granting Programs - Awards are available for up to 16 semesters (8 years) of part-time undergraduate study. Awards can be made available for up to 20 semesters of undergraduate study for enrollment in a 5-year program or for enrollment in an approved program of remedial study.
    • Graduate Degree-Granting Programs - Awards are available for up to 12 semesters (6 years) of part-time graduate study.
    • Vocational Training Programs - Awards are available for up to a maximum of 8 semesters (4 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 other than dishonorable conditions from the U.S. Armed forces and are:
    • Vietnam Veterans who served in Indochina between Dec. 22, 1961 and May 7, 1975.
    • Persian Gulf Veterans who served in the Persian Gulf on or after Aug. 2, 1990.
    • Afghanistan Veterans who served in Afghanistan during hostilities on or after Sept. 11, 2001.

These students must also:
    • Establish eligibility by applying to HESC on or before September 1, 2008.
    • 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 and Federal Pell Grant awards for full-time undergraduate or graduate study, or for a Federal Pell Grant award for part-time undergraduate 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:
    • Undergraduate and Graduate Full-time Study - Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and an Express TAP Application (ETA), or call HESC at 1-888-697-4372 to request a Scholarship & Grant Payment Application by May 1 of each academic year you seek payment. FAFSA and TAP applications are available online at www.hesc.org (See Applying for Financial Aid).
    • Undergraduate Part-time Study - Complete a FAFSA and a 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.

All applications must be completed by May 1 of the academic year for which an award is sought.