Veteran Applicants
Applicants who are Veterans of the United States Military Service, currently on Active Duty or members of the National Guard or Reserves are exempt from paying the graduate application fee and the commitment deposit. In order to receive your Veterans Fee Waiver, contact our Admissions Office at admissions@law.cuny.edu
Veterans seeking graduate non-matriculated status should contact our Admissions Office at admissions@law.cuny.edu for more specific information.
Visit our how to apply page for more information
Financial Aid for Veterans
Federal Aid
There are several federal aid programs for veterans. The programs, with eligibility requirements and payments, are listed by The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
A student who is not eligible for a Pell Grant, but whose parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and died as a result of service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001 may be eligible to receive the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant.
Return of Unearned Military Tuition Assistance Funds Policies and Procedure
Policy Statement: 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 the Department of Defense (DOD) policy, CUNY School of Law will return any unearned TA funds on a prorated basis through at least the 60% portion of the period 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.
Read the full Unearned Military Tuition Assistance Policy
State Aid
Veterans Tuition Awards (VTA) are awards for full-time study and part-time study for eligible veterans matriculated at an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting institution or in an approved vocational training program in New York State.
NOTE: Students previously approved for this award must apply for payment each year. Those students attending a vocational school or who are attending an approved undergraduate or graduate program part-time may apply for payment for the current academic year by completing the supplement. See How to Apply for Payment below for additional details.
Approved Graduate Degree-Granting Programs– A recipient is entitled to an award for up to six semesters (three years) of graduate study.
The New York State Recruitment Incentive & Retention Program is available for active members of the New York Army National Guard, the New York Air National Guard, and the New York Naval Militia. This program provides tuition assistance for active service members enrolled in a first-degree program of study. The award covers tuition after all other financial aid has been applied to the tuition charges. Students must apply for federal aid, using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and state aid, using the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). In addition, students must file a DMNA 96-1 form, which can be obtained from their individual National Guard unit.
Deadlines are enforced, so paperwork should be completed in advance and time should be allotted for corrections. Continuation of the award will depend on good military standing, satisfactory progress towards the degree, and maintenance of good academic standing for financial aid purposes. Questions may be directed to the individual’s unit or the Division of Military and Naval Affairs’ Education Services Office (e-mail: education@ny.ngb.army.mil or phone: (518) 272-6349).
Tuition Benefit for Active New York State National Guard Members
New York Army National Guard Federal Tuition Assistance (ARNG FTA) can be applied to a course or program taken at a nationally or regionally accredited, public or private, college, university, vocational, technical or trade school located inside or outside of New York.
While not a veterans program, funding is available to New York ARNG soldiers.
The ARNG FTA can pay tuition costs of:
- $250.00 per semester hour
- $167.00 per quarter hour
- $16.66 per clock hour
The Program can also pay for mandatory fees associated with enrollment. For example: Activity fees, lab fees, culinary fees, etc. This does not include parking fees, credit evaluations, transcript fees, textbook or medical services.
The total amount of ARNG FTA (including qualifying fees) for each Soldier can not exceed $4,500.00 within a fiscal year (1 Oct – 30 September).
The ARNG FTA program may also fund clock hours for vocational and technical training courses and certificates offered by non-degree-granting, accredited, institutions. A formula is used to convert the clock hours to credit hours and then a semester hour spending cap is applied.
Soldiers pursuing a first professional degree may apply for ARNG FTA. First professional degrees are awarded in the fields of Architecture, Certified Public Accountant, Podiatry (D.P.M.), Dentistry (D.D.S. or D.M.D.), Medicine (M.D.), Optometry (O.D.), Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), Pharmacy (D. Phar.), Law (J.D.), and Theology (M. Div. or M.H.L.).
Doctoral programs cannot be funderal by ARNG FTA.
Similar funding is available for Army Reserve soldiers through their unit’s chain of command.
How to apply
To apply for ARNG Federal TA, Soldiers must submit an application through virtualarmory.com, prior to the start of their course. When the education office receives the FTA application, an e-mail will be sent to the Soldier’s AKO account to confirm receipt. The Soldier will receive another e-mail once the application is processed.
The approved FTA application will then be e-mailed or faxed directly to the school. The school will bill the education office and payment will be made directly to the school. It is the Soldier’s responsibility to follow the directions provided by the Education Services Office staff.
Any changes to an approved FTA application (course information, school information or start/end dates) must be submitted in writing to the Education Services Office. Any invoice from the college/university that does not match the approved FTA application will not be processed for payment. The Soldier will be liable for any tuition incurred for courses that have not been approved by the Education Services Officer.
Using ARNG FTA and MONTGOMERY G.I. BILL Benefits (MGIB) for the same courses
Students taking 6 or more credits at the same time (usually the equivalent of two courses) AND who are eligible to receive Selected Reserve- Montgomery G.I. Bill benefits, may receive ARNG FTA and MGIB benefits for the same course. However, the amount of FTA that a student can receive annually will be reduced as follows:
- Students who are eligible to receive Selected Reserve- MGIB benefits can receive up to $2,500 in FTA each year.
- Veterans who are eligible to receive both Selected Reserve- MGIB benefits and MGIB Kicker Program benefits may receive up to $1,500 in FTA each year.
- Veterans who are NOT eligible for MGIB programs may receive up to $4,500 in FTA each year.
Veterans taking 6 or more credits at the same time, who are interested in combining ARNG FTA and MGIB benefits for the same courses, must inform the DMNA Education Services Office (e-mail: education@ny.ngb.army.mil or phone: (518) 272-6349) of their intentions at the time of application for ARNG FTA funding.
The viability of the ARNG FTA program hinges upon the amount of funds provided to the New York Army National Guard by National Guard Bureau each fiscal year. Therefore, it is not guaranteed that a Soldier will receive tuition assistance under this program.
Wellness
Mental Health
VetConnectNYC
Connects Veterans to organizations that provide free therapy and counseling services to Veterans. Additionally, VetConnectNYC is able to introduce Veterans to other non-counseling related services they may need. The website for VetConnectNYC is www.vetconnectnyc.org. VetConnectNYC’s telephone number is 1-833-VETS-NYC.
NAMI NYC
Has a helpline and hosts daily support groups via telephone and video in addition to a new weekly chat group for anyone in need of connection. For more information visit here and/or call NAMI NYC’s helpline at 212-684-3264.
Steven A. Cohen Military Family Center
NYU’s Center is providing online doctor visits as part of its Telemental Health Program. These doctors provide online mental healthcare to Veterans and their families throughout New York. For more information, call 855-698-4677.
Objective Zero Foundation
Is a tech nonprofit that promotes wellness and preventing suicide within the military community. The Objective Zero app connects users to mental health and wellness resources; it also connects them to a nationwide peer support network. Learn more about Objective Zero.
Stress is Gone
Is providing free online workshops to help Veterans de-stress during the coronavirus pandemic every Tuesday and Thursday from 2 to 3 pm EST. Brett facilitates each session by sharing free stress management tools and techniques, followed by a Q&A. The workshop also guides the group through exercises to release tension, stress, and anxiety. Each session ends with a 20-minute guided meditation session. More information can be found at https://www.stressisgone.org/.
Headstrong
Provides free and confidential mental healthcare, is treating current and new Veteran clients online during the COVID-19 emergency. Sign up online here.
NYC Well
Headstrong A confidential helpline for mental health and substance abuse services. Trained counselors can provide you with support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 200 languages. To reach NYC Well, call 1-888-NYC-WELL or Click Here.
Mental Health Support While Staying Home
If you need mental health services during the COVID-19 crisis and identify resources, please visit Thrive NYC’s new guide to mental health services you can access while staying home, by phone or online. This guide includes information about services tailored to the needs of aging New Yorkers, veterans, students and young people, and people harmed by violence, crime or abuse.
Health Insurance
New York State Insurance
As of March 16, the enrollment period for Qualified Health Plans through NY State of Health and directly through insurers has been extended to April 15. Individuals who are eligible for other NY State of Health programs – Medicaid, Essential Plan and Child Health Plus – can enroll year-round.
To apply, visit nystateofhealth.ny.gov, or call 855-355-5777.
Free/Low-Cost Health Care
NYC Care provides low-cost or free healthcare for all New Yorkers regardless of ability to pay or immigration status. This is not an insurance plan.
Call the 24-hour NYC Care service at 646-NYC-CARE (646-692-3373) to enroll and make an appointment.
Primary care, specialty, and emergency services (including hospital stays) are all available for NYC Care members. For help in other languages, visit https://www.nyccare.nyc/.
Food
Free Meals
The New York City Department of Education is committed to making three free meals available daily for any New Yorker. Any New Yorker who wants one can get three free meals a day at more than 400 Meal Hubs across the city. Meals can be picked up at all Meal Hubs 7:30 am to 1:30 pm, Monday through Friday.Meals Hubs will operate for children and families from 7:30 am to 11:30 am, and for adults from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Click here for more information.
Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center
Created a comprehensive Coronavirus NYC Food Resource Guides for each NYC neighborhood.
Neighborhoods are divided by the 59 community districts defined by the New York City Department of Health. The neighborhood lines and zip codes used for these reports are based on the districts used in the 2018 Community Health Profiles, which contain over fifty measures and statistics of neighborhood health. For the comprehensive list Click Here.
Emergency food
If you need emergency food assistance, call the Emergency Food Hotline at 866-888-8777 or 311 to find a local pantry or kitchen. There is no income limit for emergency food. Learn more about Emergency food.
Mobile Markets
Designated an essential service, CityHarvest offers bimonthly mobile free food distributions at locations in each borough. Find a location near you.
Hunger Free America
A nonpartisan, national nonprofit group working to enact the policies and programs needed to end domestic hunger and ensure that all Americans have sufficient access to nutritious food. For more information.
FreshDirect
FreshDirect has also partnered with Catholic Charities to provide grab and go meals. Click here for the Catholic Charities Pantry list. We recommend you call any of these locations before going due to limited resources.
NYC Food Delivery Assistance
The City of New York is providing assistance to New Yorkers during the COVID-19 crisis by delivering meals to those who cannot access food themselves. Learn more at NYC.gov/getfood.
Free meals for K-12 students
All NYC children can get three free meals a day from the NYC Department of Education (DOE). Through Friday, March 20, meals are available at the entrance to every school from 7:30am–1:30pm. Beginning March 23, meals will be distributed at more than 400 sites across the city. Find a location near you.
How to pick up a meal:
- No registration, ID, or documentation is required
- You can pick up all three meals a day at the same time
- No dining space is available, so you must eat meals away from schools
Senior residents and food
For seniors ages 60 years and older who have disabilities or access or functional needs, NYC Department for the Aging (DFTA) provides home-delivered meals . Call 311 and learn more from DFTA.
SNAP (food stamps) benefits online
You can now use your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to shop online for fresh produce and groceries and have them delivered. Use your EBT card at these online stores in NYC:
Note: You can’t use SNAP benefits to pay delivery fees. Be sure to confirm that an online store delivers to your home address. Learn more from HRA.
Apply for SNAP (Food Stamps) at ACCESS HRA.
Food Pantries
Find a food pantry with FoodHelp NYC.
InvisibleHands
Safe, free deliveries for the most at-risk community members facing COVID-19. Click here for more information.
Holistic Alternatives
Veterans Yoga Project
Supporting recovery and resilience among our veterans, families, and communities. Is streaming online classes 7 days a week. Click here for the current schedule.
Pillars NYC
Is currently offering virtual classes in Meditation, Reiki, Yoga, Strength Training, and Cooking. Every week they will upload new classes. Click here for the current list.
Additional Resources
Free audio books for Veterans with disabilities
Through its national network of cooperating libraries, the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled circulates books and magazines in braille or audio formats, delivered by postage-free mail or instantly downloadable.
And if you’re a musician, or want to learn to play an instrument, NLS has the world’s largest collection of braille music scores and braille and audio music instruction and appreciation materials.
Link:https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/72536/free-audio-books-veterans-disabilities/
Legal & Finances
Protections Against Discrimination for Members of the Military Armed Forces
As of November 18, 2017, the NYC Human Rights Law will provide new protections for current and former members of the military armed forces against discrimination in employment, housing, and places of public accommodation.
Legal Services for Tenants
The Universal Access to Legal Services law made New York City the first city in the country to ensure that anyone facing eviction in court will have access to legal help. Over the next several years, OCJ is implementing Universal Access in phases, providing tenants across New York City who are facing eviction in Housing Court and NYCHA tenancy termination proceedings with access to free legal services.
Go to https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/legal-services-for-tenants.page for more information.
The ABA Military and Veterans Legal Center
The ABA Military and Veterans Legal Center brings together all of the ABA entities, programs, and projects focused on legal services for military personnel, veterans, and their families, and provides access to all of these ABA resources to both the public as well as legal professionals.
The Municipal Employees Legal Services (MELS) is operational and ready to serve you. Our offices at 55 Water Street are closed but we are working remotely. Call us with your housing questions and for legal representation at (212) 815-1111.
Financial
Financial Relief Societies for Active Duty Members
Depending on the situation, the relief societies — Army Emergency Relief, Air Force Aid Society, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society— can offer help in the form of grants or zero-interest loans.
Go to https://www.militarytimes.com/pay-benefits/2020/03/16/heres-financial-help-for-military-families-caught-in-a-coronavirus-quandary/ for more information.
Financial Empowerment Centers, Ready to Rent, and Empowered NYC Resources
Financial Empowerment Centers – NYC Financial Empowerment Centers can help you reduce your debt, strengthen your credit score, make saving a part of your routine, balance a budget, open a bank account separate personal and business finances and much more!
Ready to Rent – If you are searching for an affordable apartment through the NYC housing lottery, preparing early is important. Ready to Rent can help you check your credit, calculate your income for housing applications, and save for moving expenses.
EmpoweredNYC – If you or someone in your family have a disability, Empowered NYC can help you to better manage your finances and become more financially stable.
Go to https://a866-dcwpwb.nyc.gov/talkmoney/book-appointment for additional information.
Employment
Free JOB and CAREER Workshop ONLINE!
This SPRING, Edge4Vets will offer its career workshop ONLINE to prepare veterans for internships and jobs that can lead to great careers. You’ll have an opportunity to work at your own pace to create a personal PLAN4SUCCESS. Then we’ll connect you to HR reps at our partner companies
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nycs-spring-2020-edge4vets-workshop-online-tickets-100837441502
Contact Us
SCHEDULE A MEETING
WITH AN
ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR.
OFFICE HOURS
Time: Monday-Friday, 9:00AM-4:30PM
Office: 5-107
Phone: (718) 340-1212
Email: department@law.cuny.edu
We’ll get back to you within 48hrs.