Veterans

Our Office of Veteran and Military Education is available to assist you throughout your studies at SUNY Empire State College. Contact us at military.programs@esc.edu or 518-587-2100 ext. 2779 if you have questions.

The following military-aligned students receive the State University of New York’s affordable in-state tuition rates, regardless of where they reside:

• Active-duty service members
• Reservists and National Guard members
• Veterans
• Spouses and dependents of active-duty military servicemembers 

In addition, SUNY Empire waives all fees (except service-related fees and fees for residency-based courses) for active-duty servicemembers, reservists, National Guard, veterans, and their spouses.

Contact your service branch education counselor for information and processing of tuition assistance.

Once you have determined your TA eligibility, please reach out to an Empire Military Outreach Coordinator at military.programs@esc.edu for assistance. They will provide you with a free Evaluated Education Plan which includes your previous college credits and credit earned through military service.                             

Approved TA documents can be emailed to kimberly.durant@esc.edu or faxed to Student Accounts, Attn: Military Accounts Coordinator at 518 580-4863

To view your estimated cost of attendance, visit the SUNY Net Price Cost Calculator. The SUNY Financial Aid Plan will provide a more accurate analysis of your cost once you’ve filed your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), submitted your admissions application, and are accepted to SUNY Empire.

For information about visit Tuition and Fees for Military and Veteran Students

Financial Aid for Veterans and Military Personnel

1. Military Corner: An HESC site that provides information on student loans and eligibility for New York state grants and scholarships for military personnel and their families either stationed in New York, or who are New York state residents.
2. NYS Recruitment Incentive and Retention Program Website provides general program information and information on contacting your Educational Incentive Program directorate.
3. Federal VA Educational Benefits website
4. Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Scholarships
5. Disabled Soldier Support System: Provides information on numerous issues including educational and scholarship opportunities for disabled soldiers.
6. Army Families Online: Provides information on numerous issues including scholarship opportunities for military personnel, veterans and their families.
7. AMVETS: Provides information for veterans and active military.

SUNY Empire State College Time Payment Plan

Chapter 31: VA Veteran Readiness and Employment Education Program

VA Veteran Readiness and Employment is a program whose primary function is to help veterans with service-connected disabilities become suitably employed, maintain employment, or achieve independence in daily living. The program offers a number of services to help each eligible disabled veteran reach her/his rehabilitation goal. These services include: vocational and personal counseling, education and training, financial aid, job assistance, and, if needed,medical and dental treatment. Services generally last up to 48 months, but can be extended in certain instances.

Chapter 31: Benefits

A veteran may be eligible for Veteran Readiness (Chapter 31) benefits if he/she:

• is or will be discharged under other than dishonorable conditions;

• incurred or aggravated a service-connected disability which entitles him/her to VA disability compensation;

• needs vocational rehabilitation due to her/his service-connected disability creating an employment handicap.

An eligible veteran generally has 12 years from the date he/she is notified of entitlement to VA compensation to use her/his Chapter 31 benefits. The VA may approve an extension of time and/or length of training in certain cases.

A veteran who is eligible for an evaluation under Chapter 31 first must apply for services and meet with a counselor. The counselor will work with the veteran to determine if an employment handicap exists as a result of his/her service-connected disability. If an employment handicap is established and the veteran is entitled to services, the counselor and the veteran will continue counseling to select a track of services and jointly develop a plan to address the veteran’s readiness and employment needs.

For more information, go to www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre. Form 28-8832 is an application for counseling only. Do not use this form to apply for veteran readiness and employment benefits (Chapter 31). Use VA Form 28-1900, Disabled Veterans Application for Vocational Rehabilitation. These forms are available at www.va.gov/vaforms. You can apply online at www.gibill.va.gov

For Post 9/11 GI Bill® Students - Important Information Regarding the Monthly Housing Allowance (BAH)

The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) has designated SUNY Empire State College as a distance learning institution, which means that Post-9/11 (Chapter 33) eligible students attending SUNY Empire State College will receive the online training housing allowance, rather than the in-resident housing allowance (referred to as the BAH). For the most current housing allowance information, look on the VA Benefits website for more information.

Students wishing to receive the in-resident housing allowance while enrolled at SUNY Empire State College can cross-register for a course at a school that meets the in-resident housing allowance requirements of the Department of Veteran Affairs. For more information about cross-registration, contact the Office of Veteran and Military Education (OVME) at:  Military.programs@esc.edu or Kimberly Durant (Student Accounts) at 518-587-2100, ext 2334.

The SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society was founded in 2009 to recognize the college-level academic achievements of service members and veterans. SUNY Empire State College became a chapter member in 2016 to highlight the academic excellence and service to country our military students demonstrate.

SUNY Empire's Eligibility Criteria

Military Service and Current Conduct

• Honorably discharged (verified by DD214, Member 4 copy)
• Currently active duty, Guard or Reserve (verified by copy of orders of current assignment)
• Maintain the highest ethical standards

Academic Criteria for Undergraduate Level (Associate and Bachelor's Degrees)

• 0 minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) - calculated by current GPA standards
• Alpha Tier GPA: 3.75 - 4.0
• Bravo Tier GPA: 3.5 - 3.74
• Charlie Tier GPA: 3.25 - 3.49
• Delta Tier GPA: 3.0 - 3.24
• Successfully completed a minimum of 24 credits at SUNY Empire State College
• Have at least one successfully completed enrollment within the last three years
• Have a concurred degree plan
• Be in good financial standing with the college

Academic Criteria for Graduate Level (Master’s Degrees)

Graduate students will be classified as SALUTE Gold members. There are no GPA tiers for graduate students.

• 5 minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) - calculated by current GPA standards
• Successfully completed a minimum of 12 credits at SUNY Empire State College
• Have at least one successfully completed enrollment within the last three years
• Be in good financial standing with the college

More Information

• Become a Member
• Annual Recognition
• Points of Contact

Types of Financial Aid & Tuition Awards for Veterans

Military Enhanced Recognition Incentive and Tribute – MERIT Scholarship

Using Veteran Educational Benefits at SUNY Empire State College

Understand the GI Bill

Post 911 GI Bill Housing Allowance

Cross Registration Information

Information for Active Duty Students

Information for Spouses and Dependents