Regents Award for Child of Veteran:
Eligibility: Children of veterans who are deceased, 40% or more disabled, former POW or MIA as a result of service during certain specified conflicts. Candidates must be a legal NY resident at the time of application and parent must have been a legal NY resident at the time of induction, death or disability.
Benefits: $450 per year to all eligible candidates up to five years depending on normal length of undergraduate program.
Application: New York State Higher Education Services Corporation, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12255 telephone: 518-473-7087
Persian Gulf Veterans Tuition Awards
Eligibility:
- Have served in the U.S. Armed Forces in the hostilities that occurred in the Persian Gulf from August 2, 1990, to the end of such hostilities as evidenced by receipt of the Southwest Asia Service Medal which was awarded from August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995.
- Have established eligibility by applying to HESC on or before September 1, 2000.
- Be New York State residents.
- Have been discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces under other than dishonorable conditions.
- 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.
- Have applied for a Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) award if full-time.
- Have applied for a federal Pell Grant award for full-time or part-time undergraduate study, or enrollment in a vocational training program.
Benefits: Persian Gulf Veterans Tuition Awards (PGVTA) provide up to $1,000 per semester for full-time study or $500 per semester for part-time study to Persian Gulf veterans matriculated at an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting institution or in an approved vocational training program in New York State.
Vietnam Veterans Tuition Awards
Eligibility:
- Have served in the U.S. Armed Forces in Indochina between December 22, 1961 and May 7, 1975.
- Have established eligibility by applying to HESC on or before September 1, 2000.
- Be New York State residents.
- Have been discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces under other than dishonorable conditions.
- 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.
- Have applied for the Tuition Assistance Program and Federal Pell Grant awards for full-time study, or for a Federal Pell Grant award for part-time undergraduate study, or enrollment in a vocational training program.
Benefits: Vietnam Veterans Tuition Awards (VVTA) provide up to $1,000 per semester for full-time study or $500 per semester for part-time study to Vietnam veterans matriculated at an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting institution or in an approved vocational training program in New York State.
Click the link for more information on the veteran benefits offered by New York.
Qualified veterans of the US Armed Forces, active-duty, Guard, and Reserve servicemembers and certain family members may eligible for one or more of the following education benefits offered by the state of Pennsylvania.
Educational Gratuity Program
Educational Gratuity program provides financial assistance to children of honorably discharged veterans who have service-connected disabilities and served during a period of war or armed conflict or children of veterans who die or died in service during a period of war or armed conflict.
Veteran’s eligibility criteria:
- Died in service during a period of war or armed conflict or,
- A veteran who has:
- An honorable discharge from the U.S. military
- Served during established war service dates as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The following decorations can also be used to establish wartime service: Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or Navy Expeditionary Medal
- Veteran must have a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability rating by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Child’s eligibility criteria:
- Must be between the ages of 16 and 23, living within the Commonwealth five years prior to application and must attend a school within the Commonwealth.
- Applicant must have a financial need.
Payments:
Payment will not exceed $500.00 per term or semester per qualified child to each approved educational institution upon submission by that approved educational institution of proof of matriculation of the applicant. Educational gratuity payments may not be made for longer than 4 scholastic years.
Application process:
Contact the County Veterans Affairs Director in the county you reside to apply for this program.
Required documentation:
- Need a copy of last military service DD214 or Military Death Certificate of the sponsoring veteran
- Copy of birth certificate of applicant
- Proof of identification (driver’s license, voter registration, etc.)
- Proof of Pennsylvania residency for last five (5) years
Armed Forces Loan Forgiveness Program
The Armed Forces Loan Forgiveness Program was created to recognize the bravery, dedication, and loyalty of our servicemen and women who served our nation in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. This program will provide a one-time loan forgiveness benefit up to $2,500 for student borrowers who served in the Armed Forces in an active duty status between September 11, 2001, and June 30, 2008, provided they have an eligible loan and meet eligibility requirements. It is funded entirely by PHEAA, at no cost to taxpayers.
Eligibility Requirements
- Served in the Armed Forces in an Active Duty Status between 9/11/01 and 6/30/08 (excluding the annual two-week training period).
- Must have an eligible, non-defaulted loan(s): PHEAA guaranteed, AES owned and/or AES serviced Stafford, Consolidation, PLUS, and SLS loans that are disbursed on or before June 30, 2008. Eligible loans also include HEAL and Keystone EXTRA loans that are disbursed on or before June 30, 2008. The loan(s) cannot be in default.
- Must hold one of four connections to Pennsylvania: (1) Currently a resident of Pennsylvania, (2) A non-resident of Pennsylvania who left a PA approved institution of post-secondary education due to a call to active duty, (3) A non-resident of Pennsylvania who was living in Pennsylvania at the time of enlistment, or (4) A non-resident of Pennsylvania who enlisted in the military immediately after attending a PA approved institution of post-secondary education.
How to Apply
To apply, complete and return an Armed Forces Loan Forgiveness application (67 KB PDF) to the address below by December 31, 2008.
PHEAA Armed Forces Loan Forgiveness Program
AES Loan Forgiveness Group
PO Box 2461
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2461
If you have any questions about the Armed Forces Loan Forgiveness Program, please call us toll-free at 1-800-233-0557, ext 5473. Loan Forgiveness Counselors are available Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (ET).
Loan Forgiveness for State Veterans' Home Nurses
The Loan Forgiveness Program for State Veterans Homes Nurses helps you repay your qualified student loans through an innovative loan forgiveness program. By working for one of the six Pennsylvania State Veterans Homes, up to 50%, to a maximum of $10,000, of your student loan debt can be forgiven over three years of qualified employment.
Administered and self-funded by PHEAA, powered by American Education Services (AES), the Loan Forgiveness Program for State Veterans Homes Nurses helps address the nursing shortage affecting so many organizations and people, especially those Veterans who are located in one of Pennsylvania's State Veterans Homes.
Program Eligibility
- Complete a qualifying program of study between January 1, 2008 and June 30, 2008, leading to certification as a:
- Licensed Practical Nurse within PA
- Registered Nurse within PA
- Have outstanding AES owned, serviced and guaranteed Stafford or outstanding AES owned, serviced and guaranteed Consolidated loans in good standing.
- Pass the Pennsylvania licensure examination for a license to work as a Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse within nine months of receiving the nursing degree or certificate.
- Begin full-time employment as a direct care nurse, within six months of graduation, at one of the following State Veterans Homes:
- Delaware Valley Veterans Home, Philadelphia
- Gino J. Merli Veterans Center, Scranton
- Hollidaysburg Veterans Home, Hollidaysburg
- Pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors Home, Erie
- Southeastern Veterans Center, Spring City
- Southwestern Veterans Center, Pittsburgh
- Complete at least one full year of continuous, full-time, direct patient care employment at a designated State Veterans Home, after graduation.
- Have the State Veterans Home verify completion of qualifying employment throughout the year
How to Apply
To apply, complete and return an application (70 KB PDF) to the address listed below by June 30, 2008.
Loan Forgiveness Program for State Veterans Homes Nurses
AES Loan Forgiveness Group
PO Box 2461
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2461
If you have additional questions on the Loan Forgiveness Program for State Veterans Homes Nurses, please call 800-233-0557 ext 5473.
Financial Aid for National Guard Members
Together with the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), administer the Educational Assistance Program (EAP) for members of the Pennsylvania National Guard. This program provides tuition assistance for students who enter into a service commitment with the Pennsylvania National Guard, typically for a period of six years.
To be eligible you must:
- Be a bona fide resident (domiciliary) of Pennsylvania.
- Be enrolled in a degree- or certificate-granting program of study at an approved Pennsylvania institution.
- Maximum Award Values for 2007-08 Undergraduates
- Full-time: 100% of tuition charged at a state-owned university ($5,177 for the 2007-08 academic year)
- Part-time: EITHER actual tuition charged for the part-time course of study, OR two-thirds (2/3) of the full-time tuition charged to a Pennsylvania resident at a state owned university ($3,451 for the 2007-08 academic year), WHICH EVER is less.
- 3 credit minimum (or the equivalent)
Graduate degree candidates or those who already hold a bachelors degree:
- Full-time: Not available
- Part-time: EITHER one-half (1/2) of the actual tuition charged for the part-time course of study, OR one-third (1/3) of the full-time tuition charged to a Pennsylvania resident at a state owned university ($1,725 for the 2007-08 academic year), WHICH EVER is less.
- 11 credit maximum (or the equivalent)
- 3 credit minimum (or the equivalent)
If you fail to honor the service commitment with the Pennsylvania National Guard, you must repay all EAP funds you receive, plus interest.
Special Grants to Children of Soldiers Declared POW/MIA
PA provides a special state grant to children of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces who has been designated a “Prisoner of War” or as “Missing in Action” and:
- Served on active duty after January 31, 1955.
- Was a resident of Pennsylvania for at least twelve (12) months preceding his/her service on active duty.
Students do not qualify if they are a child of any member of the U.S. Armed Forces who deserted, defected to the enemy, or was discharged under conditions other than “honorable.”
To apply:
File a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and the POW-MIA application.
You may obtain the POW-MIA application by calling:
1-800-692-7392 (toll-free)
717-720-2366 (TDD, for hearing-impaired ONLY)
Students should file as early as possible. Funds permitting, PA may be able to consider applications for the full academic year as long as they are filed with the Agency before April 1 of the spring term for which aid is being requested.
Postsecondary Educational Gratuity Program
This program honors individuals who lost their lives protecting the citizens of this Commonwealth by providing their children with a waiver of tuition, fees, and room and board charges. An act was signed into law that provides financial assistance to children of Pennsylvania police officers, firefighters, rescue or ambulance squad members, corrections facility employees or National Guard members who died in the line of duty after January 1, 1976.
On November 30, 2004, the Governor signed into law an amendment to this Act, to also include sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, National Guard members and certain other individuals who are on federal or state active military duty, are Pennsylvania residents, and who died in the line of duty since September 11, 2001.
This program provides a waiver of tuition, fees, and room and board costs charged by public postsecondary institutions. This waiver is only applied to charges that remain after all other grants (federal, state and outside scholarships) have been applied to your student account.
To qualify you must:
- Be a resident of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
- Be a child by birth or adoption of a deceased police officer, firefighter, rescue or ambulance squad member, corrections facility employee or active National Guard member who died after January 1, 1976, as a direct result of performing his or her official duties.
- Be a child by birth or adoption of a deceased sheriff, deputy sheriff, National Guard member or certain other individual who was on federal or state active military duty who died since September 11, 2001, as a direct result of performing his or her official duties.
- Be 25 years of age or younger at the time of application for the program.
- Have already applied for available scholarships, as well as state and federal grants, and have provided a record of application for financial aid to the postsecondary institution to which application is made.
- Be enrolled at a Pennsylvania community college, state-owned institution, or state-related institution as a full-time student pursuing undergraduate studies that will lead to an associate or baccalaureate degree.
How to apply:
- Download the Postsecondary Education Gratuity Application (71 Kb) or the Postsecondary Education Gratuity Renewal Information Request (67 Kb), as appropriate (Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 or higher required).
Please Note: A certified copy of the student’s birth certificate must accompany the PEGP Application for first-time applicants. For more information on how to obtain this certificate, please visit www.health.state.pa.us/vitalrecords.
- Call toll-free: 1-800-692-7392.
- Mail a written request to:
Postsecondary Educational Gratuity Program
PHEAA State Grant and Special Programs
P.O. Box 8114
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8114
More Education Resources:
PA Division of Veterans/Military Education
The Veterans/Military Education Division of the Pennsylvania Department of Education has been designated by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as the State Approving Agency for Training of Veterans/Eligible persons and reservists in the field of institutional training, correspondence training, flight training, apprenticeship training, and other on-the-job training under the provisions of Chapters 30, 32, 34, 35 and 36 of Title 38, United States Code, Chapter 1606 of Title 10, United States Code, and Chapter 1607 of Title 10, United State Code. PA Division of Veterans/Military Education
