Overview
New York State offers a variety of scholarships and programs for Veterans and their families including:
- Military Residency Waiver
- MERIT Scholarship
- Regents Awards for Children of Deceased & Disabled Veterans
- Veterans Tuition Awards
- Military Service Deferment
- Post-Active Duty Deferment
Eligibility
The New York State residency eligibility requirement for recipients of awards administered by New York State Higher Education Services (HESC) is waived for a member of, or for the spouse or dependent of a member of, the United States Armed Forces who is on full-time active duty and stationed in New York State.
For additional information on HESC programs for Veterans and their families, visit the HESC website.
Military Enhanced Recognition Incentive and Tribute - MERIT Scholarship
The Military Enhanced Recognition Incentive and Tribute (MERIT) Scholarship provides financial aid to children, spouses and financial dependents of members of the United States Armed Forces or state-organized militia who, at any time while New York State residents, died or became severely and permanently disabled while performing their military duties, whether in combat or not.
Additional information on eligibility and how to apply can be found on the HESC website.
Regents Awards for Children of Deceased & Disabled Veterans
Through the New York State Higher Education Services (HESC), the Regents Awards is for Children of Deceased & Disabled Veterans provides up to $450 per year to students whose parent(s) served in the United States Armed Forces during specified times of war or national emergency, and as a result of such service, the Veteran either died, suffered a 40 percent or greater United States Department of Veterans Affairs service-connected disability rating percentage, was classified as missing in action, or was a prisoner of war. The Veteran must currently be a New York State resident or have been a New York State resident at the time of death. For more information, including how to apply, visit the HESC website.
The Veterans Tuition Awards, managed by the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC), awards are 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.
Eligible students are those who are New York State residents discharged under honorable conditions from the U.S. Armed forces and who are one of the following:
- Vietnam Veterans who served in Indochina between November 1, 1955 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 U.S. Armed Forces 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.
For more information on Veterans Tuition Awards, including eligibility, amounts, duration and how to apply, visit the HESC website.
Student loan borrowers who are called to active duty (or performing National Guard duty) during a war, military operation, or national emergency may be eligible to defer federal student loan payments from the time of mobilization for up to 180 days following qualifying service.
Contact your loan holder with questions about the deferment request or other repayment options. Borrowers will be required to complete a Military Deferment Application, available online.
Post-Active Duty Service Deferment
Members of the National Guard or other reserve components of the Armed Forces (including retired members) called to active duty while enrolled at a post-secondary institution may defer federal student loan repayment.
After completing active duty service (which must include a period on or after October 1, 2007, and use of any applicable grace period, deferment may be granted for up to 13 months or until resuming enrollment on at least a half-time basis.
Contact your loan holder with questions about the deferment request or other repayment options. Borrowers will be required to complete a Military Deferment Application, available online.
Apply
Military Residency Waiver for HESC Awards for Active Duty Spouses and Dependents Stationed in New York State - For additional information on HESC programs for Veterans and their families, visit the HESC website.
Military Enhanced Recognition Incentive and Tribute - MERIT Scholarship - Additional information on eligibility and how to apply can be found on the HESC website.
Regents Awards for Children of Deceased & Disabled Veterans - For more information, including how to apply, visit the HESC website.
Veterans Tuition Awards - For more information on Veterans Tuition Awards, including eligibility, amounts, duration and how to apply, visit the HESC website.
Military Service Deferment - Contact your loan holder with questions about the deferment request or other repayment options. Borrowers will be required to complete a Military Deferment Application, available online.
Post-Active Duty Service Deferment - Contact your loan holder with questions about the deferment request or other repayment options. Borrowers will be required to complete a Military Deferment Application, available online.