New York State Expands Its Veteran’s Tuition Award Program

ALBANY, NY (07/01/2008)(readMedia)-- New York has enhanced its veteran's tuition award program by increasing the maximum tuition award available to New York State's combat veterans to approximate the cost of undergraduate tuition charged by the State university of New York to New York State veterans. Veteran's tuition awards will be available for study at both private and public institutions in New York State in approved vocational, undergraduate and graduate programs

The New York State Higher Education Services Corp (HESC), the state agency that helps people pay for college, and the New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs collaborated to implement the enhancements to the program that was expanded in the New York State budget, signed by Governor David A. Paterson.

"It is because of veterans and the men and women who are currently serving - those who have fought, suffered and often paid the ultimate price - that we have a free society. We want all of our soldiers to know how much we support them," said Governor Paterson. "We're expanding these valuable education benefits at a time when many of our returning veterans are finding it difficult to obtain an education in this challenging economic climate. By providing a more substantial educational incentive to our State's combat veterans, we hope to retain many of these intelligent and highly motivated individuals in our workforce. We recognize the value of their service to our country, the sacrifices they have made and those they continue to make."

Veterans who served in Indochina in the Vietnam War, or who served in the hostilities in the Persian Gulf or Afghanistan, and were discharged under honorable conditions are eligible to receive a veterans tuition award. Additionally, individuals who served in the Armed Forces of the United States in hostilities that occurred after Feb. 28, 1961, as evidenced by their receipt of an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, or Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, and were discharged under honorable conditions, may also be eligible.

James McDonough, Director of the New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs, said: "In light of the diminished value of today's federal education benefits provided through the Montgomery GI Bill, our enhanced Veterans Tuition Award places New York among the best states in the country when it comes to its education benefits for returning veterans."

James C. Ross, President of the State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC), said: "Our veterans have served this state with honor and distinction, and we are proud to help them pursue their education. It is a privilege for us at HESC to help these dedicated and selfless New Yorkers who have put their personal and professional lives on hold to protect our country."

More details of the expanded veterans' tuition program can be found at the State Veterans' Affairs Web site at http://www.veterans.state.ny.us/ or at HESC's Web site's special military page, Military Corner, at http://www.hesc.com/content.nsf/SFC/Military_Corner

Information about other veterans' scholarship programs can also be found on HESC's special military page.

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