Allows the granting of academic credit at state operated institutions to veterans, members of the military, and reservists

Section 2 amends the Education Law by adding a new section authorizing the granting of course credit for veterans, members of the military, and reservists through the State University system.

Section 3 amends the Education Law by defining the terms "veteran," "member of the military," and reservist," for the sections of law relating to the City University of New York.

Section 4 amends the Education Law by adding a new section authorizing the granting of course credit for veterans, members of the military, and reservists through the City University system.

Section 5 provides the effective date.

Existing law

Article 14 of the Education Law pertains to the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation. Part 2 of this Article provides the provisions related to student financial aid and subpart 2 provides general awards. Currently, the general awards subpart does not authorize the granting of course credit for veterans, members of the military, and reservists.

Justification

Whether it is on the battlefield, through training, or through on the job experience, military service members receive an invaluable education every day of their service. Based on these military experiences and training, service members should have college credit recommendations apply toward a degree requirement or program of study. To ensure that these experiences are reflected in one's course credit, this bill authorizes every veteran, member of the military, or reservists, who is enrolled on a full-time or part-time basis as an undergraduate student in good standing at an institution of the state university or city university system shall, upon application, be granted up to six academic credits per year and sixty aggregate credits towards his or her degree for completion of courses that were part of such person's military training or service. Such training or service must meet the standards of the American Council on Education or its equivalent for the awarding of academic credits, however no fee, tuition, or other charge shall be assessed against a veteran, member of the military, or reservists, who qualifies for such credit pursuant to this section.

The American Council on Education (ACE), the national accrediting agency, convenes teams of teaching faculty who travel to military installations to evaluate military training courses and occupation-based skills, knowledge, and abilities. These evaluations are conducted to determine the learning acquired through these experiences. Equivalencies are then expressed as credit recommendations that are quantified in terms of semester hours and qualified in terms of course titles or academic areas. ACE is the only higher education organization that represents presidents and chancellors of all types of U.S. accredited, degree-granting institutions, including community colleges and four-year institutions, private and public universities, and nonprofit and for profit colleges. This cross-sector membership enables ACE to serve as higher education's unifying voice and has made credit recommendations for thousands of college level courses offered by the military services. This ensures that the credit granted to veterans and military personnel is of the highest caliber and equivalency to classroom instruction.

Institutions of higher learning operating in New York State often accept the military transcript as a source of transfer credit. No veteran or military personnel should have their military training and experiences denied for course credit. By authorizing the recognition of military training and experiences for course credit at state institutions, New York clarifies to the state that the courses certified by ACE as credit-worthy and the experiences and training completed by military personnel is of the highest quality and rigor. For the aforementioned reasons it is essential that this bill is enacted.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first July next succeeding the date on which is shall have become law.