The SUNY New Paltz Office of Veteran and Military Services (OVMS) is honored to help support and guide military service members, veterans, and dependents with your experience in higher education. At SUNY New Paltz, your core values, experiences, and service are never overlooked. We are committed to the intellectual, personal, and professional growth of all our students. As a retired service member with over 22 years of service, I take pride in being charged with helping you pursue your dreams and assist with guiding you down a path of success. I look forward to helping all of you join the talented community of learners and educators that provide extraordinary pathways for enrichment.

The Office of Veteran and Military Services is located in the Student Union (SUB 100 South). We are staffed with a full-time Director of Veteran and Military Services and VA School Certifying Official. Our purpose is to provide assistance to all U.S. Service members, veterans, and dependents from application to graduation. Our services include, but are not limited to: assisting with all benefits covered under the various GI Bill®1 programs; military tuition assistance (TA); veteran scholarships; general questions regarding Department of Veteran Affairs’ issues; and free parking permits for military and veteran students. All current and prospective student veterans, service members, and their dependents are encouraged to take advantage of our services.

At SUNY New Paltz, we pride ourselves in equipping our students with not just a degree that will open doors to career opportunities, but also an education that inspires a lifelong passion for learning. We warmly welcome students of diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and ambitions. As a member of the armed forces, veterans, or dependents communal, you bring an invaluable level of excellence to the New Paltz community. We welcome you to our campus and look forward to helping you along this exciting journey.

Sincerely,

Jason F. Gilliland
Director of Veteran and Military Services
SUNY New Paltz
Office of Veteran and Military Services
SUB 100 B

1

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Veterans & Military Financial Aid

Prospective Military Students and/or Dependents

The following websites contain information on resources, aid options, default rates, and graduation rates and provide comparative school costs so that prospective students can make informed decisions about where to attend school.

1. College Scorecard is a planning tool and resource to assist prospective students and their families as they evaluate options in selecting a school.

2. College Navigator is a consumer tool that provides school information to include tuition and fees, retention and graduation rates, use of financial aid, student loan default rates and features a cost calculator and school comparison tool.

3. The College Financing Plan is a model aid award letter designed to simplify the information that prospective students receive about costs and financial aid so they can easily compare institutions and make informed decisions about where to attend school.

4. Paying for College can be used by prospective students to enter the names of up to three schools and receive detailed financial information on each one and to enter actual financial aid award information.

5. Our university's Student Financial Services website details how to apply for all types of aid, including Title IV.

Private Loans

Service members and non-service members alike may first want to contact any financial aid advisor staff before considering private loan aid so they have a clear understanding of all other available financial aid (State and Federal Title IV). Loans have to be repaid and private loans generally cost more in the long run and do not offer forgiveness options, etc.

The institution's CDR (Cohost Default Rate) percent of student borrowers and comparison to national averages is available on the College Financing Plan after filing the FAFSA and on College Navigator.

Federal Student Loans

All students have the ability to refuse all or borrow less than the maximum student loan amounts allowed or offered. For detailed information see Student Financial Services' Student Loans page.

Paying for School

Military service members, veterans, and dependents may be eligible for various educational programs to help defer the cost of earning a degree. It is important that you understand and maximize the full range of benefits that you may be eligible for. The Department of Veteran and Military Services will provide you with information about these programs and may, in many circumstances, help you apply. For more information about any of these programs, please contact our office.

Department of Veteran Affairs Education and Training Benefits

See also VA Education and Training Benefits

  • Post - 9/11 GI Bill® 
  • Transferring Post 9/11 GI Bill® Benefits
  • Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty (MGIB - AD)
  • Montgomery GI Bill® - Selected Reserve (MGIB – SR)
  • Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)
  • Post-Vietnam Veteran Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
  • Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service
  • Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program
  • Tuition Assistance Top Up
  • Tutorial Assistance
  • National Testing Program
  • Licensing and Certification
  • VA Work-Study Program

The Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 requires educational institutions to make certain disclosures to students using federal military and/or VA educational benefits. You can access a personalized data sheet by visiting the SUNY Net Price Cost Calculator and selecting SUNY New Paltz from the dropdown. Additional financial information can be found at the NCES College Navigator site.

Additional Resources

Please stop by OVMS for additional information regarding scholarships not listed here.

Veteran & Military Services Tuition-Related Policies

For a complete list of policies and procedures for military service members, veterans, and dependents, refer to the Office of Veteran & Military Services Policies & Procedures page.

Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Pending Payment Policy

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection (e), the State University of New York at New Paltz adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Veteran Readiness and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA. This school will not:

  • Prevent nor delay the student’s enrollment.
  • Assess a late penalty fee to the student.
  • Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding.
  • Deny the student access to any resources available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution, including but not limited to access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities.

However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:

  • Produce the Certificate of Eligibility by the first day of class.
  • Provide written request to be certified.
  • Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies.

Any questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Office of Veterans and Military Services at 845-257-6867 or ovms@newpaltz.edu.

In-State Tuition Policy

SUNY New Paltz’s In-State Tuition Policy for members of the U.S. Armed Services stationed in the State of New York and their Dependents

The payment of tuition and fees by any student enrolled at SUNY New Paltz who is a member or the spouse or the dependent of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States on full-time active duty or a member of the National Guard, or a Reserve Component and stationed in this state, whether or not a resident of the state, shall be paid at a rate or charge no greater than that imposed for students thereat who are residents of this state.

SUNY New Paltz’s In-State Tuition Policy for members of the U.S. Armed Services NOT stationed in New York and U.S. Military Veterans

The payment of tuition and fees by any student enrolled at SUNY New Paltz who is a U.S. Service member not stationed in the State of New York or Veteran who has had a discharge of any character other than dishonorable, whether or not a resident of the state, shall be paid at a rate or charge no greater than that imposed for students thereat who are residents of this state.

SUNY New Paltz’s In-State Tuition Policy for Dependents of the U.S. Armed Services NOT stationed in the State of New York or the Dependents of U.S. Military Veterans

Such policy shall further provide that the payment of tuition and fees by any student attending SUNY New Paltz who is a dependent of the U.S. Armed Services NOT stationed in the State of New York or the dependent of a U.S. Military Veteran and not a resident of the state, shall be paid at a rate or charge no greater than that imposed for students thereat who are residents of this state if eligible for one of the Department of Veteran Affairs GI BILL® programs.

Such policy shall further provide that the payment and fees by any student who is not a resident of New York State shall be paid at a rate or charge no greater than that imposed for students who are residents of the state if such student is enrolled in SUNY New Paltz and attending said institution or educational unit in accordance with the federal GI BILL®s and in compliance with all applicable eligibility requirements thereof:

  • A spouse or child using GI BILL® benefits in which they are eligible for, or,
  • A spouse or child using transferred benefits who lives in New York State (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and enrolls into SUNY New Paltz, or,
  • A spouse or child using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship who lives in the State of New York (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and enrolls into SUNY New Paltz.

If you have questions regarding your eligibly for in-state tuition, please contact the Office of Veteran and Military Services at 845-257-3074. Procedures for filing in-state tuition are available on the Office of Veteran & Military Services website.

Military Leave of Absence Policy

SUNY New Paltz acknowledges and appreciates the important contributions of our students who are currently serving in the United States Armed Services. In order to support these students, SUNY New Paltz, its Academic and Professional Faculty and the Office of Veteran and Military Services pledge to make every effort to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals who must be absent due to military obligations2.

Under the guidance of the Department of Education (ED) (34 C.F.R 668.18 & 34 C.F.R 688.8), SUNY Tuition, Fees and Other Charges Policy; SUNY's Billing, Refunds, Collection and Write-offs Policy for Tuition, Fees, and Other Charges; Section 487b of the US Higher Education Act as amended, and SUNY New Paltz, this policy ensures students shall not be penalized for class absences due to military obligations. Military-related absences will not constitute a class absence. SUNY New Paltz and its Academic and Professional Faculty will provide reasonable accommodations to complete assignments and other coursework. These accommodations may include, but not limited to:

  • An opportunity to submit coursework on an alternative schedule agreed upon by the student and faculty member.
  • Selection of comparable coursework as assigned by the faculty member.
  • Completing coursework as an Independent Study, being given an incomplete grade for the course, using the Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading option, or withdrawing from the course.

Both the student and the faculty member must agree that the length of the absence is reasonable, given the type and structure of the course. The student and faculty member will agree upon a plan in writing that details expectations for successful completion of the course in question. If a faculty member offers the option of dropping a quiz/test grade, military-related absences will not constitute the dropped quiz/test unless the student chooses. In situations where the length of absences is detrimental to the student’s ability to successfully complete the agreed upon plan, it may be within the student’s best interest to take a military leave of absence. Should a student exercise this option, SUNY New Paltz will remove the course(s) from their transcript. All subsequent financial aid, GI BILL® funds, TA, etc. will be recalculated and returned to its original source.

Students’ Responsibility

Students who are actively participating in the United States Military Reserve or National Guard are highly encouraged to provide each faculty member, as well as the Office of Veteran and Military Services, a copy of their Reserve and/or National Guard schedule during the first week of class each semester. In the event that the student must perform duties outside of this schedule, a signed memorandum from his/her Unit Commander must be provided with said dates of service and supplied to each instructor.

2

Military Obligation is defined as, but not limited to activation, deployment, mobilization, permanent change of station, temporary duty assignment, drill, and unit training assembly.

Military-Affiliated Student Tuition & Fee Deferral Policy

RE: Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018

SUNY New Paltz will allow military-affiliated students with VA, DoD, and/or New York State Military/Veteran tuition and/or fees educational benefits to attend a course of education for up to 90 days from the date the beneficiary provides one of the following:

  • Certificate of Eligibility
  • Approved DoD Tuition Assistance Voucher
  • Listed on the NYS RIRP Approved Roster
  • Valid VA Form 28-1905
  • Other related approved military-affiliated educational benefit’s verification document

This allows a student to attend the course(s) until VA, DoD, and/or New York State provides payment to the institution. NOTE: Extension to 90-day deferral will be granted to students upon delay of payment beyond 90 days.

IAW the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, SUNY New Paltz will not impose a penalty (e.g., loss of access to Brightspace, meal plan, late fee, etc.), additional cost (processing fees), or require the beneficiary to borrow additional funds to cover tuition and fees due to late payment from the VA, DoD, and/or New York State.

Definitions:

  • IAW – In Accordance With
  • DoD – Department of Defense
  • VR&E – Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
  • VA – Department of Veteran Affairs
  • RIRP – Recruitment Incentive & Retention Program

Presidential Executive Order 13067 (April 27, 2012): Establishing Principles of Excellence for Educational Institutions Serving Service Members, Veterans, Spouses, and other Family Members

Return of DoD Tuition Assistance Funds

Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded. When a student withdraws, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of TA funds originally awarded.

To comply with Department of Defense policy SUNY New Paltz will return any unearned TA funds on a prorated basis through the 60% portion for which the funds were provided. TA funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period, with unearned funds returned based upon when a student stops attending. These funds are returned to the military service branch.

Return of TA rates for each semester length are available from the Office of Veteran & Military Services. For withdrawals due to military service obligations, please see the Military Leave of Absence policy.