State Aid: Military Service Recognition Scholarship (MSRS)

Military Service Recognition Scholarship (MSRS) offers awards for spouses, children and financial dependents of a serviceperson whose parent/spouse was severely or permanently disabled or killed at any time on or after 8/2/90 and was state resident at that time. The awards allow for direct costs (tuition, fees, on-campus room and board, computer student allowance, books, supplies and transportation) at a public/private university up to the cost of CUNY tuition. The MSRS award may not exceed the cost of enrollment and additional awards may result in its reduction. Students must complete the FAFSA, TAP application and the NYS Military Service Recognition Scholarship Supplement.

Eligibility

Students must:
  • Study at an approved postsecondary institution in New York State.
  • Have graduated from high school in the United States, earned a GED, or passed a federally approved "Ability to Benefit" test as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department.
  • Be enrolled as a full-time student taking 12 or more credits per semester.
  • Be matriculated in an approved program of study and be in good academic standing.
  • Have at least a cumulative "C" average after receipt of two annual payments.
  • Not be in default on a student loan guaranteed by HESC or on any repayment of state awards

How to Apply

Complete and submit the Military Service Recognition Scholarship Web Supplement. Be sure to print the Web Supplement confirmation, sign it, and submit it, along with the required documentation, according to the instructions.

Once you have established your eligibility and are assigned an account number by HESC, you must do one of the following by May 1 of each academic year to request payment:
  • Current New York State residents – Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and TAP on the Web application. FAFSA and TAP applications and instructions are available on-line at www.hesc.org.
  • If you are not a resident of New York State – Contact the HESC Scholarship Unit at 1-888-697-4372 to request a Scholarship and Grant Payment Application.

For more information, visit: www.hesc.com (then go to “Military Corner”).