New York Assistance Programs

VTAs are awards for full-time study and part-time study for eligible veterans matriculated at an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting institution or in an approved vocational training program in New York State.

• Funding for this program depends on the enacted New York State budget for each year. Note: Students previously approved for this award must apply for payment each year.
• Those students who are attending an approved undergraduate or graduate program may apply for payment for the current academic year by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and then linking to the TAP on the Web application.
• Students attending a vocational school only do not have to file the FAFSA or TAP on the Web application.

• For full-time study, a recipient shall receive an award of up to the full cost of undergraduate tuition for New York State residents at the State University of New York, or actual tuition charged, whichever is less.
• Full-time study is defined as twelve or more credits per semester (or the equivalent) at a degree-granting institution, or twenty-four or more hours per week in a vocational training program.
• For part-time study, awards will be prorated by credit hour. Part-time study is defined as at least three but fewer than twelve credits per semester (or the equivalent) at a degree-granting institution, or six to twenty-three hours per week in a vocational training program.

• Combined tuition benefits available to a student cannot exceed the actual tuition.
• If a tuition assistance program (TAP) is also received, the combined academic year award cannot exceed tuition. Thus, the TAP award may be reduced accordingly. 
• Students attending high tuition schools may be eligible to receive both the Federal and State benefits.
• Students whose “Percentage of Maximum Benefit Payable” under the Chapter 33 Program is less than 100% of tuition may also receive both Federal and State benefits.

• Tuition payments received under the post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33 Veteran Benefits) and Yellow Ribbon Program are considered duplicative of any VTA and/or TAP awards. Students receiving tuition assistance through these programs may, and in most cases will, have their State VTA and/or TAP payments reduced or denied due to these other benefits.
• Payments received under the Montgomery GI Bill® do not duplicate the purpose of the VTA and/or TAP.
• Note: Students attending high tuition schools may be eligible to receive both the Federal and State benefits. Additionally, students whose “Percentage of Maximum Benefit Payable” under the Post - 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33 veteran benefits) Program is less than 100% and students continuing to receive benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill® may also receive both Federal and State benefits.

• Undergraduate Degree-Granting Programs: Awards are available for up to eight semesters (four years) of undergraduate study. Awards can be made available for up to ten semesters of undergraduate study for enrollment in an approved five-year program or for enrollment in an approved program of remedial study.
• Graduate Degree-Granting Programs: Awards are available for up to six semesters (three years) of graduate study.
• Vocational Training Programs: Awards are available for up to a maximum of four semesters (two years) of study in an approved vocational training program.
• Part-time Study Undergraduate Degree-Granting Programs: Awards are available for up to the equivalent of eight semesters (four years) of full-time undergraduate study in a four-year program. Awards can be made available for up to the equivalent of ten semesters (five years) of full-time study for enrollment in an approved five-year undergraduate program which normally requires five academic years of full-time study.
• Graduate Degree-Granting Programs: Awards are available for up to the equivalent of six semesters (three years) of full-time graduate study.
• Vocational Training Programs: Awards are available for up to a maximum of eight semesters (four 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 Education Department Office of College and University Evaluation.

Eligible veterans/students 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 December 22, 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.

These students must also:

• Establish eligibility by applying to HESC (Higher Education Services Corporation)
• 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 for all undergraduate or graduate study
• 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 in good academic standing
• Have at least a cumulative "C" average after receipt of two annual payments
• Be charged at least $200 tuition per year
• Not be in default on a student loan guaranteed by HESC or on any repayment of state awards

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.

Once you have established your eligibility, you must apply for payment. While you need only establish your eligibility once, you must apply for payment each year.

Undergraduate and Graduate Full-time & Part-time Study: Apply for payment by doing one of the following:

• Apply online by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)—the form used by most colleges, universities and vocational schools for awarding federal student aid and most state and college aid—and then linking to the TAP on the Web application
• For veterans who do not anticipate filing a FAFSA, complete a Scholarship Grant Payment Application. For a copy of the application call HESC at 1-888-697-4372.

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.