NY Pays Tribute to Veterans, Families with Tuition Awards

ALBANY, NY (05/28/2010)(readMedia)-- As we pay tribute to veterans this Memorial Day, the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) reminds veterans and families of members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have died, are disabled or were classified as missing in action or a prisoner of war about college tuition assistance benefits available to them.

"We honor the sacrifice of New York men and women who have died, are disabled, or have put their lives on hold in service to our country," said HESC Acting President Elsa Magee. "The education benefits afforded to veterans by New York State offer one opportunity to show our appreciation for their service."

"While Memorial Day is traditionally set aside to honor our war dead, the need to properly serve our returning veterans' educational needs is critically important today and for the foreseeable future," said Jim McDonough, Director of the New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs. "Their education and subsequent employment are the two biggest hurdles faced by our returning veterans from today's wars."

Programs for veterans and their families include:

Veterans Tuition Award (VTA) benefits combat veterans returning from Afghanistan, Iraq and other conflicts, who may receive financial assistance from New York State to help pay college tuition expenses. More than 2,300 veterans will receive awards totaling roughly $7 million for the 2009 – 10 academic year.

Available for full or part-time study, the VTA may be used for undergraduate, graduate or vocational programs. Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) awards help veterans fill any remaining financial need beyond their VTA.

Military Service Recognition Scholarships help 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 were classified as missing in action in a combat zone while engaged in hostilities or training at any time on or after Aug. 2, 1990. As of the 2009 – 2010 academic year, the award covers up to 98 percent of undergraduate tuition for New York State residents at State University of New York for four years of full-time study (or five years in an approved five-year bachelor's degree program).

Regents Awards for Children of Deceased and Disabled Veterans provide $450 a year in financial aid to students whose parent(s) served in the U.S. Armed Forces during specified times of national emergency and, as a result of service, either died, suffered a 40 percent or more disability, or were classified as missing in action or a prisoner of war.

To receive any of these NYS awards, veterans or their family members must complete the federal Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) application, and the appropriate supplemental application found on HESC's online "Military Corner" page.

HESC.org provides up-to-date information specifically targeted to those who serve or previously served in the military and are interested in obtaining financial aid for themselves or their family members to attend college, as well as links to other State and federal veterans' sites.

About HESC: HESC is the State's student financial aid agency, helping people pay for college by providing more grant and scholarship awards than any other state in the nation. By administering 19 student financial aid programs, including the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), the New York Higher Education Loan Program (NYHELPs), a highly successful College Savings program, and offering guidance to students, families and counselors, HESC puts college within the reach of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers each year. In 2008-09, HESC helped nearly 600,000 students achieve their dream of attending college by providing $4.6 billion in grants, scholarships and loan guarantees, including $813 million awarded through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) to more than 375,000 students.

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