The New York State Assembly and Senate both passed a bill during this session that expanded tuition assistance to veterans regardless of their combat experience. All veterans, no matter their service, would be eligible for tuition assistance.
Under the current Veterans Tuition Award (VTA) program, only combat veterans are eligible for tuition assistance. The new bills amend the state education law to expand eligibility for the VTA to all veterans regardless of their combat service.
State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D-23) is the lead sponsor of the bill, and state Assembly member Michael Reilly (R-62), a veteran himself, is a supporter and wants to see it go into effect right away.
Scarcella-Spanton said in a recent interview with Inside City Hall, “So happy to join Inside City Hall with Assemblyman Reilly to discuss my legislation awaiting the Governor’s signature to expand tuition aid for veterans! My bill would expand eligibility to all New York veterans, regardless of combat experience.”
In today’s economy, where so many American families are struggling to keep afloat, this tuition assistance for veterans trying to get that next level of education or vocational training to advance their careers and income for them and their families is important.
Joe Bello, NYMetroVets on X, said, “The bill would expand the VTA to all New York veterans, regardless of combat experience, if signed into law. Sign it now!”
There is some speculation that the cost of the tuition assistance expansion to the bottom line of the state budget may be an issue considering New York’s finances are in rough shape going forward. But, many point to the fact that New York has already given tens of millions of dollars to illegal immigrants for tuition assistance, among other things, and yet the Governor has yet to sign the tuition assistance expansion law for veterans who have served our country
VTA covers the cost of tuition, not to exceed the cost of a state-operated SUNY school. VTA is available to veteran students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree or an approved vocational training program in New York State. The program is available for either full or part-time students.
VTA-eligible students also must be a legal resident of New York and have resided in NY for 12 continuous months before the beginning of the first term assistance is requested. For the 2024-25 academic year, the maximum VTA award would be $7,070.