Federal Benefits Available to Veterans

  • Post 9/11 Bill (Chapter 33): Once you receive the Certificate of Eligibility in the mail, bring it to a Certifying Officer in the Office of the Registrar. Payment of tuition and fees are mailed directly to the campus. The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and book stipend are sent directly to you from the Department of Veteran Affairs. Apply for your Chapter 33 benefits.

  • Survivors & Dependents Educational Assistance (Chapter 35): Eligible spouses and children of veterans who have died or are partially or totally disabled through the service may complete a VA form #5490 and bring to a Certifying Officer in the Office of the Registrar. Apply for your Chapter 35 benefits.

  • Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31): Contact a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. Learn more about Chapter 31 benefits.

  • Reservists/National Guard (Chapter 1606): Obtain from your unit a Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) and bring it to a Certifying Officer in the Office of the Registrar.

    • Select Reserve

    • Active-Duty Tuition Assistance  

      • SUNY Old Westbury accepts DOD Tuition Assistance (TA). Each branch of service has its own set of TA requirements. Please review links below for your service specific guidelines. 

      •  Contact your service branch education counselor for information and processing of tuition assistance, along with resources to help you determine:  

        • tuition assistance eligibility  

        • amount of tuition assistance coverage  

        • how to apply for tuition assistance  

        • scholarships and grants for military servicemembers  

      • Additional Benefits for Reservists:

        • The Army National Guard (ARNG) Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) Program can be used to pay for undergraduate, graduate and certification/licensure courses. The course or program must be taken at a regionally or nationally accredited public or private college, university, vocational, technical or trade school. Learn more about FTA Program.

        • Recruitment Incentive and Retention Program (RIRP) is a New York State program designed to recruit and retain members for the State Military Forces (Army and Air National Guard, and Naval Militia). This competitive program will pay the cost of tuition up to SUNY tuition rates per semester.

VA Contact Information

Veterans Benefits Administration Education and Training Call Center: 1-888 442 4551