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Regents Award for Children of Deceased or Disabled Veterans (CV)

This program provides financial aid to children or stepchildren, if the natural parent is deceased, of veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces during specified periods of war or national emergency. Applicants are eligible if, as a result of such service, the parent died or suffered an injury or illness later resulting in death; suffered a 40 % or more disability; is classified as a former prisoner of war; or is missing in action.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for an award the student must:

• meet one of the United States citizenship requirements;

• meet New York State residency requirements;

• enroll as a full-time student;

• enroll in an approved program of study in a New York State postsecondary institution;

• have a matriculated status;

• be in good academic standing; have at least a cumulative "C" average after receipt of two annual payments

• not be in default on any guaranteed student loan HESC administers; and
  be enrolled as an undergraduate student.

• First-time recipients of an award as of the 1996-97 academic year must have graduated from high school, have a GED or other equivalent of a high school certificate, or have received a passing grade on an approved ability-to-benefit test.

Students must also be the child or stepchild of a veteran who meets the following parental criteria:

• must have served in the United States Armed Forces during one of the following periods:

• April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918;

• December 7, 1941, to December 31, 1946 (or in the Merchant Marine from Dec. 7, 1941, to Aug. 15, 1945);

• June 27, 1950, to January 31, 1955;

• December 22, 1961, to May 7, 1975;

• June 1, 1983, to December 1, 1987, and be a recipient of expeditionary medal for service in Lebanon;

• October 23, 1983, to November 21, 1983, and be a recipient of expeditionary medal for service in Grenada;

• December 20, 1989, to January 31, 1990, and be a recipient of expeditionary medal for service in Panama; or

• August 2, 1990, to end of hostilities in the Persian Gulf.

And the parent must have any one of the following:

• died while serving or died as a result of illness or injury incurred during such service and was a legal resident of New York State at time of death; or

• died, and at time of death had a 40 % or more disability as a result of injury or illness incurred during such service and was a legal resident of New York State (The death need not have been a result of the disability.); or

• have a 40 % or more disability as a result of an injury or illness incurred during such service, have been honorably discharged from the armed forces and be a legal resident of New York State; or

• be classified as a former prisoner of war and be a legal resident of New York State; or have been a legal resident of New York State when classified as missing in action.

The Administrator of Veterans' Affairs or the separate branch of the United States Armed Forces determines "death" or "disability."

Duration

Students can receive payment for four years of undergraduate study or five years if enrolled in an approved five-year baccalaureate program or approved educational opportunity program.

Award Calculation

The amount of the award is $450 per year, prorated by term. If a student also receives a TAP award, the combined award can be no greater than tuition. HESC would reduce the TAP award accordingly.

Application Procedure

Applicants for this award must submit a special eligibility application - Child of Veteran Award Supplement - which is available from HESC by request. This supplement establishes students' eligibility for the award and is submitted only when students initially apply for the award. Students must also submit an application for the award by May 1 of the academic year for which assistance is being sought.

For additional information and applications, you may contact HESC’s Grants and Scholarships Unit at the address and telephone number listed below.

New York State Higher Education Services Corporation
99 Washington Avenue · Albany, New York 12255 · (888) NYS-HESC
www.hesc.com