The state of New York provides several veteran benefits. This page explains those benefits.
New York State Veterans Home
There are veterans homes in Batavia, Long Island (Stony Brook University), Montrose, Oxford, and St. Albans. New York resident veterans with an honorable discharge are eligible for admission. Some spouses and unremarried surviving spouses are also eligible for admission.
Military & Veterans News Forever GI Bill Expands VA Educational Benefits Effective Aug. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) implemented 15 more provisions of the Harry W. Colmery Educational Assistance Act of 2017, also referred to as the Forever GI Bill. New York Veteran Recreation Benefits Hunting Licenses & Permits for Disabled Veterans NY resident veterans with a 40 percent or greater disability rating can get low cost hunting and fishing licenses.
There may be a charge for care.
New York Veteran Financial Benefits
Income Tax
Military Pay: If your permanent home was New York state before entering the military, active-duty income is tax-free, IF you meet all three of the following conditions:
- didn't have a permanent home in New York
- maintained a permanent place of abode outside New York during the entire year (Barracks, BOQ or shipboard quarters don't count.)
- spent less than 30 days in New York during the year.
Retired pay is tax-free.
Property Tax Exemptions
New York state has three different property tax exemptions are based on your military service, with additional benefits based upon degree of service-connected disability.
- The Alternative Veterans' Exemption - for veterans who served during wartime or received an expeditionary medal.
- The Cold War Veterans' Exemption - for veterans who served during the Cold War period.
- The Eligible Funds Exemption - for property that a veteran buys with pension, bonus, or insurance funds
Applications must be filed before taxes are due, check with your city or county for more information. Qualifying surviving spouses may file for benefit based on their spouse's service. Exemption applies to local and county property taxes.
Burial Allowance
A supplemental burial allowance of up to $6,000 is authorized for certain military personnel killed in combat or while on active duty in hostile or imminent danger locations on or after September 29, 2003.
New York State Blind Annuity
The Blind Annuity Program benefit is for legally blind wartime veterans, or their surviving unremarried spouses. Blindness need not be service-connected.
New York State Gold Star Annuity
The Gold Star Parent Annuity authorizes an annuity payment of up to $500 to Gold Star parents.
E-Z Pass for Disabled Veterans
The New York State Thruway Authority offers free, unlimited travel anywhere on the Thruway to certain, qualifying disabled Veterans. You must be eligible for the fee-exempt vehicle registration from Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to qualify.
Death Benefits
New York State offers surviving family of military members killed in a combat zone a Supplemental Burial Allowance of up to $6,000.
New York State Family Benefits
Under the New York Paid Family Leave act, workers will now get 10 weeks of paid time off to bond with a newborn, adopted or fostered child; to care for family members with serious health conditions; or to address issues related to a family member's military deployment.
New York Veteran Employment Benefits
Civil Service Credit Preference
Ten-point additional credit preference toward original appointment for disabled wartime veterans; five-points for wartime service; and two and a half points for other veterans. Job retention rights applicable to veterans and spouses of totally disabled veterans.
Military Service Credit for State & Local Retirement System Members
You may be entitled to receive additional credit towards retirement for your military service through New York State and local retirement systems.
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There are different sections of the law that allow the crediting of qualifying military service. Once the Retirement System receives your request, they will determine under what section you qualify for.
New York State Peddler's License
New York State Veterans with other than dishonorable discharges are eligible to apply for a free lifetime Veterans Peddler's License provided the Veteran served overseas in peace or war.
New York Veteran Education Benefits
Veterans Tuition Awards
Veterans Tuition Awards pay for full-time and part-time study for honorably discharged NY resident wartime veterans at undergraduate or graduate schools or vocational training programs.
New York State Regents Awards (for Children)
Provides up to $450 per year to students whose parent(s) served in the US Armed Forces during specified times of national emergency.
Military Service Recognition Scholarship
Available to certain dependents of military personnel killed, severely and permanently disabled or missing in combat or a combat zone of operation since August 2, 1990.
New York Veteran Recreation Benefits
Hunting Licenses & Permits for Disabled Veterans
NY resident veterans with a 40 percent or greater disability rating can get low cost hunting and fishing licenses.
Hunting & Fishing Licenses for Active Duty
Active military members stationed outside New York who are home on leave for 30 days or less are entitled to free hunting, fishing or trapping licenses (Note: if you are a New York resident stationed in New York, regular license fees apply).
Non-residents stationed in NY for more than 30 days can buy hunting & fishing licenses at the resident rate.
State Park Admission for Disabled Veterans
Wartime veterans with a 40 percent or greater disability are eligible for the Lifetime Liberty Pass,
The pass gives free vehicle entry to state parks, day use areas, historic sites, as well as numerous state boat launch sites, historic sites, arboretums and park preserves; free golf at 28 State Park golf courses; free swimming pool entrance at 36 State Park pools, and discounted camping and cabin rentals at all 119 State Park and DEC campgrounds.
Visit the New York State Division of Veterans Affairs website for more information on any of these programs.
Stay On Top Of Your Benefits
Military benefits are always changing -- keep up with everything from pay to health care by signing up for a free Military.com membership, which will send all the latest benefits straight to your inbox, as well as give you access to up-to-date pay charts and more.
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Veterans Tuition Awards (VTA) are awards for full-time study and part-time study for eligible veterans matriculated in an approved program at an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting institution or in an approved vocational training program in New York State (NYS).
Eligibility
An applicant must:
- be a legal resident of NYS and have resided in NYS for 12 continuous months prior to the beginning of the term;
- be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen;
- have graduated from high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma by passing a Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) formally known as a GED, or passed a federally approved 'Ability to Benefit' test as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department;
- be matriculated full or part- time at an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting institution in New York State or in an approved vocational training program in New York State;
- meet good academic standing requirements;
- be charged at least $200 tuition per year;
- have applied for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) for all undergraduate or graduate study;
- be in a non-default status on a student loan made under any NYS or federal education loan program or repayment of any state award;
- be in compliance with the terms of any service condition imposed by a state award;
- be discharged under honorable conditions from the U.S. Armed Forces and:
- a Vietnam Veteran who served in Indochina between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975; or
- a Persian Gulf Veteran who served in the Persian Gulf on or after August 2, 1990; or
- an Afghanistan Veteran who served in Afghanistan during hostilities on or after September 11, 2001, or
- a Veteran of the United States 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.
Award Amounts
For full-time study, a recipient receives an award of up to undergraduate tuition for NYS residents at the State University of New York (SUNY), or actual tuition charged, whichever is less. Full-time study is defined as 12 or more credits per semester (or the equivalent) in an approved program at a degree-granting institution, or 24 or more hours per week in a vocational training program.
For part-time study, awards will be prorated by credit hour. Part-time study is defined as at least three but fewer than 12 credits per semester (or the equivalent) in an approved program at a degree-granting institution, or six to 23 hours per week in a vocational training program.
NOTE: Tuition payments received by a veteran under the Chapter 33 Program and Yellow Ribbon component will be considered duplicative of any VTA award a student may have received. However, payments received under the Montgomery GI bill do not duplicate the VTA award.
Combined tuition benefits available to a student cannot exceed the actual tuition. Students attending high tuition schools may be eligible to receive the federal and State benefits. Additionally, students whose “Percentage of Maximum Benefit Payable” under the Chapter 33 Program is less than 100% of tuition may also receive both federal and State benefits.
Duration
Full-time Study
- Approved Undergraduate Degree-Granting Programs– A recipient is entitled to an award for up to eight semesters (four years) of undergraduate study. Awards can be made available for up to 10 semesters of undergraduate study for enrollment in an approved five-year program or for enrollment in an approved program of remedial study.
- Approved Graduate Degree-Granting Programs– A recipient is entitled to an award for up to six semesters (three years) of graduate study.
- Approved Vocational Training Programs– A recipient is entitled to an award for up to a maximum of four semesters (two years) of study in an approved vocational training program.
Part-time Study
- Approved Undergraduate Degree-Granting Programs– A recipient is entitled to an award for up to the equivalent of 16 semesters (eight years) of part-time undergraduate study in a four-year program. Awards can be made available for up to the equivalent of twenty semesters (10 years) of part-time study for enrollment in an approved five-year undergraduate program or for enrollment in an approved program of remedial study.
- Approved Graduate Degree-Granting Programs – A recipient is entitled to an award for up to the equivalent of 12 semesters (six years) of part-time graduate study.
- Approved Vocational Training Programs– A recipient is entitled to an award for up to a maximum of eight semesters (four years) of part-time study in an approved vocational training program.
- Approved programs are defined as: undergraduate degree, graduate degree, diploma, and certificate programs at degree-granting institutions, or non-credit vocational training programs of at least 320 clock hours specifically approved by the NYS Education Department Office of College and University Evaluation. Contact your Financial Aid Office to determine if your program is approved for this award.
NOTE: Students previously approved for this award must apply for payment each year. Students attending a vocational school do not have to file the FAFSA or TAP on the Web application.
How to Apply
For Undergraduate and Graduate Full-time & Part-time Study
- Complete and submit the Veterans Tuition Award Application.
- Be sure to print the Application Confirmation, sign and submit it, along with the required documentation, according to the instructions.
- Also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the TAP on the Web application.
For Vocational Training Program
- Complete and submit the Veterans Tuition Award Application.
- Be sure to print the Application Confirmation, sign and submit it, along with the required documentation, according to the instructions.
All applications must be completed by June 30 of the academic year for which an award is sought.
Payment
A recipient is not required to submit another Veterans Tuition Award Application once awarded this scholarship, but must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the TAP on the Web application each year to receive payment.
Questions?
Please contact the HESC Scholarship Unit at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 1-888-697-4372 with questions about this Program.
To learn more about programs and benefits for veterans visit the NYS Division of Veterans' Services.