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Benefits for Military & Veteran Students

The Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 requires educational institutions to make certain disclosures to students using federal military and/or VA educational benefits. You can access a personalized data sheet by visiting the SUNY Net Price Cost Calculator and selecting CANTON from the dropdown. Additional financial information can be found at the NCES College Navigator site.

There are a variety of benefits available for members of the military and their families.

SUNY Canton is now fee-free for Active-Duty, Reservist and National Guard service members beginning in the Fall 2025 semester. The College will scholarship all comprehensive student fees. Learn more about the scholarship.

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The first step is to obtain the required applications and submit them:

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Additionally, SUNY Canton will waive the following for veteran students:

  • Enrollment/Housing Deposit
  • Parking Fee (must have an honorable discharge)

Eligibility for military benefits will be certified by the Military & Veteran Student Services Coordinator, Patrick Massaro. In order to be certified, please submit a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility, copy 4 of your DD214, and the Certification Request Form.

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection (e), this school adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA. This school will not:

  • Prevent nor delay the student’s enrollment;
  • Assess a late penalty fee to the student;
  • Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding;
  • Deny the student access to any resources available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution, including but not limited to access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities.

However, to qualify for this provision, such students will be required to:

  • Produce the Certificate of Eligibility by the first day of class
  • Provide written request to be certified
  • Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies.

Types of Veterans Benefits received at SUNY Canton

This is a list of the most common military benefits received by SUNY Canton students:

  • Chapter 33, Post 9/11 GI Bill ®
    Generally this bill provides 36 months of education benefits following the release from active duty.
    1. Tuition & Fees paid directly to SUNY Canton (Based on percentage of eligibility)
    2. Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is paid directly to the student (if applicable). Check the amount you are eligible to receive from the Department of Defense.
    3. Up to $1,000 for books and supplies paid based on enrollment.
    4. These benefits may be transferable to other family members.

The application process is available at the VONAPP website.

  • Chapter 30, Montgomery GI Bill®

Generally this bill provides 36 months of education benefits following the release from active duty (10 years).

  1. There are several different categories under this bill, more detailed information can be found by researching this benefit on the Department of Veterans Affairs website.
  2. Education Benefit Payment Rates are posted by qualifying category by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The application process is available at the VONAPP website. For questions on this program, visit the GI BILL website or contact the VA at 1-888-442-4551.

  • New York State, Veterans Tuition Award (VTA)

This program is a duplicative benefit if you receive 100% benefits under Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill®). Students may not receive both awards.

  1. Awarded to veterans admitted into a degree program.
  2. Students must apply for this award each year.
  3. Payable up to 98% of tuition for veterans enrolled in more than 3 credit hours.
  4. In combination with the NYS TAP Grant, the amount awarded may not exceed the total charge for tuition. If this occurs the NYS TAP Grant will be reduced.
  5. Available for up to eight semesters of full-time study (or the part-time equivalent).

For more information on who is considered an eligible veteran check the NYS HESC webpage on the VTA. Further questions can be directed to the NYS HESC Scholarship Unit at 1-888-697-4372 or scholarships@hesc.ny.gov.

  • Veteran's Readiness & Employment (VR&E)
    This program is designed specifically to help veterans with service-connected disabilities. More information on eligibility can be found online from the Veteran's Readiness & Employment Program.

Information on the Web regarding Military Benefits

Further information on the application processes and benefits available to military families can be found online at:

Contacts

SUNY Canton:
For Admissions and Life Experience Credit:
Admissions Office
315-386-7123
admissions@canton.edu

Veterans Association
Patrick Massaro, massarop@canton.edu

Financial Aid/Student Service Center
315-386-7616, finaid@canton.edu

Military & Veteran Student Services Coordinator
315-386-7838, massarop@canton.edu

For Federal Benefits:
US Department of Veterans Affairs
1-888-GIBILL-1

For New York State Benefits:
New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs

Higher Education Services Corp (HESC)
1-888-697-4372

For St Lawrence County Assistance:
St. Lawrence Local Veterans Benefit Assistance
Veterans Service Department
Canton Human Services Building
80 State Highway 310, Suite 5
Canton, NY 13617-1495
315-386-4754

How to Receive your Financial Aid and Benefits

This is the process flow after your applications have been received and processed:

  1. The Student Service Center will send you a financial aid award letter listing all of the financial aid we have determined you are eligible for (after you have been admitted). Included in the packet will be information on the costs and awards for an academic year at SUNY Canton. Not all military benefits will be listed as part of your financial aid package. A revised notice will be sent as additional benefits are added.

  2. Contact the One-Hop Shop Student Service Center to speak with a Financial Aid Advisor if you wish to discuss options for a special circumstance review. You are required to report prior, prior year income on your aid application and if your income has decreased, we may be able to offer you additional financial assistance.
  3. Contact the SUNY Canton Director of Military Connected Benefits & Recruitment to make an appointment to be certified for your military benefits. Be sure to bring in a copy of your DD214.
  4. Log in to your UCanWeb account and accept or decline the financial aid awards you have been offered. Your log in information was mailed to you in your Admissions Packet.
  5. We will notify you if additional documentation is required. New requirements may be added throughout the year for any awards you have accepted.  For example, new student loan borrowers must complete a promissory note and entrance counseling.
  6. A billing notice will be sent to you each semester (end of June/beginning of July for fall semester, November for spring semester). You must process your bill before you are considered officially registered for the semester, even if the balance due is covered by your benefits.
  7. After classes begin (about 5 weeks), we will begin to receive the funds for your awards and refund any amount that exceeds your total billed charges.

Continue to watch your email for updates and monitor your account online through your UCanWeb account.

If at any time you have questions on the applications or the process, feel free to contact the Military & Veteran Student Services Coordinator.

One-Hop Shop
Miller Campus Center - 1st Floor
34 Cornell Drive
Canton, NY 13617

Tel: (315) 386-7616
Fax: (315) 386-7930
billing@canton.edu
finaid@canton.edu
registrar@canton.edu

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