New York's Veterans May Qualify for Education Benefits

ALBANY, NY (11/11/2009)(readMedia)-- The New York Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) recognizes combat veterans of the U.S. armed forces and their families this Veterans Day by reminding them of valuable education benefits. HESC is the state agency that helps people pay for college.

Enhanced Federal Post 9/11 GI Bill

Veterans planning to return to college may be eligible for the enhanced federal Post 9/11 GI Bill. More than 80,000 New York veterans who served at least 90 days on active duty after September 11, 2001 and are enrolled full time at a college or university are eligible for federal education benefits including:

Enhanced tuition benefits

A monthly housing allowance to allow veterans to dedicate more time and energy to college study

Up to $1,000 annually for books and supplies

And, for the first time in history, service members enrolled in the Post 9/11 GI Bill Program will be able to transfer unused education benefits to their spouses or children.

New York State Veterans Tuition Awards

New York's Veterans' Tuition Award program is available to combat veterans to attend college or vocational training at 98 percent of the cost of resident undergraduate tuition charged by the State University of New York. Veteran's tuition awards are available for undergraduate and graduate study at both public and private institutions in New York State or for approved vocational training programs in New York State.

Military Service Recognition Scholarship

The Military Service Recognition Scholarship provides financial aid to children, spouses and financial dependents of those who, while New York State residents in service in the armed forces of the United States or state organized militia, at any time on or after Aug. 2, 1990, died, became severely and permanently disabled, or were classified as missing in action in a combat zone while engaged in hostilities or training for hostilities.

NYS Regents Award for Children of Veterans

The Children of Veterans Regents Awards provide benefits to students whose parent(s) served in the U.S. Armed Forces during specified periods of time and who: died as a result of such service; was discharged under other than dishonorable conditions and suffers a 40 percent or more disability as a result of such service; is now deceased and suffered a 40 percent or more disability as a result of such service; is classified as a former prisoner of war; or is classified as missing in action.

Recruitment Incentive and Retention Program

This program provides financial aid in a degree granting program to any active member of the New York State organized militia, who has successfully completed advanced individual training, commissioning or other requirements of the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs for tuition benefit eligibility.

Details about New York State and federal veterans' student aid programs can be found at the HESC Web site at www.hesc.org; click on the Military Corner link.

About HESC: The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation is the State's student financial aid agency, providing more grant and scholarship awards to students than any other state in the nation. 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. HESC also assists schools and students with advanced default prevention, financial literacy and counseling programs, and provides training and technical services to college financial aid administrators, high school counselors.

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