News from
Assemblyman 123th Assembly District

Gary D. Finch

For immediate release:
July 10th, 2008
 		 Contact:
Suzanne Redmond
 

E-mail: gary@garyfinch.com 
Albany Office: LOB 320, ALBANY 12248 (518)-455-5878 
District Office: 69 SOUTH ST, AUBURN 13021 (315)-255-3045
Satellite Office: 16 COURT STREET, OWEGO, 13827 (607)-687-8272

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TODAY: 7/10/08
Contact: Suzanne Redmond (315) 255-3045


ASSEMBLYMAN FINCH ANNOUNCES INCREASED EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS FOR VETERANS

     In this year’s enacted state budget, Assemblyman Gary D. Finch (R,C – Springport) and his colleagues passed increased higher education benefits for veterans. Veterans will now be eligible to receive an award equal to the full cost of their tuition.

     “We owe our brave veterans for the freedom that we have today, and we must pay them back for their sacrifices,” said Finch. “Receiving an education is essential towards continuing on and having a happy, successful life. All eligible veterans should be aware of the opportunities available to them and be sure to take advantage of this great program.”

     Veterans Tuition Awards (VTA’s) are available for full-time 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. Starting this year, recipients will receive an award up to the full cost of undergraduate tuition at the State University of New York.

     In order to be eligible, students must be residents of New York and legal United States citizens. They must have been discharged under honorable conditions from the U.S. Armed forces and served in one of the following:

  • Vietnam Veterans who served in Indochina between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975,

  • Persian Gulf Veterans who served in the Persian Gulf on or after August 2, 1990,

  • Afghanistan Veterans who served in Afghanistan during hostilities on or after September 11, 2001,

  • Veterans of the armed forces of the United States who served in hostilities that occurred after February 28, 1961 as evidenced by receipt of an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal or a Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal.

     For more information, go to www.veterans.state.ny.us or call the Division of Veterans Affairs at 888-VETS-NYS (888-838-7697), or call the Higher Education Services Corporation at 888-697-4372.

-30-