New York GI Bill Tuition and Residency Requirements

New York GI Bill Tuition Rates

Under 2011 legislation, Post-9/11 GI Bill tuition benefits at public colleges are limited to the in-state student rate. For military personnel attending public schools in New York, understanding state residency requirements can be the first step toward using GI Bill benefits in the state.

New York In-State Tuition for Military Personnel

According to state law, members of the U.S. Armed Forces on full-time active duty and stationed in New York are eligible for in-state tuition, regardless of the location of their permanent residence. Their spouses and dependents also are considered New York state residents for tuition purposes.

Dependents of full-time, active-duty service members stationed outside New York also qualify for in-state tuition if New York is their military parent's home of record or was their state of residency when they joined the military. Additionally, at City University of New York schools, veterans who were New York residents when they enlisted can re-establish residency if they return to New York within six months of their discharge.

Military personnel and relatives who don't fall into the above categories must meet civilian residency requirements, which include having lived in New York for at least 12 months immediately prior to registering for classes. As in other states, residency is determined by the school, and not by the state.

How to Apply for Residency in New York

To establish New York residency with your school, fill out an Application for New York State Residency Status for Tuition Billing Purposes. Depending on whether you're a dependent or independent student, you must attach the appropriate documentation, which includes a combination of these four items:

1. Form DD4: Enlistment/Reenlistment Document, showing home of record
2. Active-duty military orders WHAT ABOUT FOR VETS?
3. U.S. Military Identification
4. Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card

Each school may have its own residency application and deadlines. Contact your school's registrar to get specific information about application procedures.

Other State Education Benefits in New York

New York offers additional financial aid programs for military members, including the following education benefits:

• Military Service Recognition Scholarships: Veterans who were permanently disabled in the line of duty, and children and spouses of servicemembers who were similarly disabled or killed, may be eligible for up to four years of full-time, undergraduate tuition and fees, as well as an allowance for room and board and books. You must be a New York resident to qualify.
• Veterans' Tuition Awards: Honorably discharged veterans at approved institutions in New York can receive a scholarship up to the amount of full undergraduate tuition at State University of New York schools. You must be a New York state resident and meet other criteria to be eligible.

Additional information on state education benefits, including eligibility details, can be obtained from the New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs.

GIBill.com has done its best to ensure that the above information is accurate. However, GIBill.com cannot guarantee its accuracy and encourages you to check with your school for its residency requirements to qualify for in-state tuition.