New York Veterans Tuition Award
Program at a Glance
- Location: New York (for study at New York colleges)
- Status: Open year-round
- Maximum benefit: Tuition up to the average SUNY undergraduate resident rate, or your actual tuition if it’s lower
- Who it’s for: New York residents who served at least four years on active duty, or who served in a combat area, and who weren’t dishonorably discharged
- How to apply: File the FAFSA and apply for TAP first, then complete the Veterans Tuition Award application
- Last verified: November 2026
About the Program
The award covers tuition, up to the average tuition for New York resident undergraduates at a state-operated SUNY school, or your actual tuition, whichever is less. It doesn’t cover tuition already paid by Chapter 33 or Yellow Ribbon benefits, but Montgomery GI Bill recipients can receive it. To qualify you have to be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen and a New York resident for 12 continuous months before the term, hold a high school diploma, GED or pass the Ability to Benefit test, and be in good academic standing. There’s no income limit. Full-time study is 12 credits or more a semester, and part-time study of at least three but fewer than 12 credits is prorated by credit hour. The maximum is four years of undergraduate and graduate study combined, with graduate study limited to three years and vocational programs to two. National Guard members qualify with four or more years of deployed active duty, or combat service shown by a qualifying expeditionary medal. Vocational students skip the FAFSA step and fill out the award application directly.
Official source: New York Higher Education Services Corporation: Veterans Tuition Award
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Last checked Nov 10, 2026.