What's happening
This bill requires SUNY and CUNY institutions to grant academic credit to veterans for applicable military training or service.
Why it matters
Broadens who qualifies as a "veteran". for academic credit, including those with general discharges, certain "qualifying conditions," and discharged LGBT veterans—potentially expanding access beyond traditional definitions and supporting historically marginalized groups.
Removes limits on the number of credits. that veterans can receive for applicable military courses, which could allow some to graduate more quickly and save significant time and money on their degrees.
Requires that awarded credits align with academic standards. of the individual institution, preserving academic integrity while still valuing military experience—meaning not all training may automatically transfer, but relevant coursework must be considered.
Prohibits charging fees for the evaluation or awarding of these credits,. ensuring that veterans are not financially penalized for seeking recognition of their military training, and potentially reducing barriers to higher education completion.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Give Veterans College Credit
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
306
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. RAJKUMAR, PHEFFER AMATO -- read once and referred to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to granting academic credit at state operated institutions of the state university of New York and the city university of New York to veterans
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 355 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 22 to read as follows:
22. a. For purposes of this subdivision, the term "veteran" means a person who served in the United States army, navy, air force, marines, coast guard, and/or reserves thereof, and/or in the army national guard, air national guard, New York guard and/or New York naval militia and who (1) has received an honorable or general discharge from such service, or (2) has a qualifying condition, as defined in section one of the veterans' services law, and has received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from such service, or (3) is a discharged LGBT veteran, as defined in section one of the veterans' services law, and has received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from such service.
b. Every veteran who is enrolled on a full-time basis as an undergraduate student in good standing, at an institution within the state university system, shall upon application be granted academic credits without limitation towards their degree for completion of courses that were part of such veteran's military training or service if the completed courses meet the standards of the institution awarding such credits. No fee, tuition or other charge shall be assessed against a veteran who qualifies for such credit pursuant to this subdivision.
c. The board of trustees shall adopt such procedures as are necessary to fully implement the provisions of this subdivision.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01435-01-5
§ 2. Section 6206 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 24 to read as follows:
24. a. For purposes of this subdivision, the term "veteran" means a person who served in the United States army, navy, air force, marines, coast guard, and/or reserves thereof, and/or in the army national guard, air national guard, New York guard and/or New York naval militia and who (1) has received an honorable or general discharge from such service, or (2) has a qualifying condition, as defined in section one of the veterans' services law, and has received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from such service, or (3) is a discharged LGBT veteran, as defined in section one of the veterans' services law, and has received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from such service.
b. Every veteran who is enrolled on a full-time basis as an undergraduate student in good standing, at an institution within the city university system, shall upon application be granted academic credits without limitation towards their degree for completion of courses that were part of such veteran's military training or service if the completed courses meet the standards of the institution awarding such credits. No fee, tuition or other charge shall be assessed against a veteran who qualifies for such credit pursuant to this subdivision.
c. The board of trustees shall adopt such procedures as are necessary to fully implement the provisions of this subdivision.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.