New York State Veterans Tuition Award (VTA)
Pays tuition for eligible veterans at SUNY, CUNY, private colleges, and approved vocational programs in New York. The award covers actual tuition up to the SUNY in-state undergraduate rate each year, prorated for part-time study.
Who it is for
New York residents (living in the state for 12 continuous months) who served at least four years on active duty, or served in combat in Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, or Afghanistan, and were not dishonorably discharged. National Guard members qualify with four or more years of active-duty deployment or combat service shown by an expeditionary medal. Covers undergraduate, graduate, and approved vocational programs.
Focus: National Guard and Reserve
Before you start
How you apply: Apply directly to the program.
How to apply
- For degree programs, file the FAFSA and then apply for the NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).
- Complete the Veterans Tuition Award application on the HESC website.
- Vocational students skip FAFSA and TAP and just file the Veterans Tuition Award application; if eligible, HESC emails a student payment application. Questions: 1-888-697-4372.
Deadline: The application is open year-round; apply for each academic year you are enrolled. (Rolling, apply any time)
Verified as of 2026-07-05. Resources are checked periodically against their official source. Details, amounts, and deadlines change. Confirm the current information on the official page before you rely on it.