Aid for Military & Veterans

In addition to the standard forms of financial aid, if you are active duty military or a veteran you may be eligible for more financial assistance to pay for college.  Jefferson is well positioned to provide assistance that will  make coming to college a seamless transition.

The Federal FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is available after October 1st each year and we recommend you complete the FAFSA and all requests for aid by June 1st for Fall semester and December 1st for Spring semester.

Financial Aid for Current Active Duty Service Members

Active duty service members have various financial aid opportunities available to use.  

• Receive in-state tuition rates
• Apply for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) for qualifying students
• Use Tuition Assistance (TA) by approved active-duty service members. 
• Visit Military One Source for details.

Branch specific tuition assistance information:

1. Army
2. Air Force
3. Navy
4. Marines
5. Coast Guard
6. Space Force

Veteran Services – assists Veterans, Active Duty family members, and Veteran family members.

Our Veteran Services Office is available to assist you in applying for your VA Educational benefits.  There are several steps and you can complete them on your own using the steps below or stop into Veteran Services for one on one assistance. 

1. Complete a JCC VA packet and return it to Veteran Services:
   1. JCC VA application
   2. JCC Veterans Memorandum of Financial Understanding
   3. Certificate of Residency
   4. Loan and Bookstore Authorization form
      1. Mail or drop off forms to:   
         Veteran Services
         Collaborative Learning Center, First Floor – Building 15
         1220 Coffeen Street
         Watertown, NY 13601
      2. Fax: 315-786-6574
      3. Email: ahogan@sunyjefferson.edu or sschulz@sunyjefferson.edu
2. For Veterans only: copy of DD 214, Member 4
3. For family members using transferred benefits bring us the transfer approval letter.
4. VA Educational Benefits: https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/ - screenshot a copy of the confirmation once application is submitted and send it to Veteran Services at JCC.
5. Send a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) you will receive from the VA in the mail (typically around 30 days after application).
6. Schedule an appointment with Veteran Services

VA Educational Benefit Programs

Post 9/11 GI Bill® Chapter 33

The Post 9/11 GI Bill® provides you with up to 36 months of education benefits for degree and certificate programs. Generally, benefits are payable for up to 15 years following release from active duty. Post 9/11 GI Bill® benefits include tuition and fees (up to the maximum amount set by VA), a monthly stipend, and book stipend not to exceed $1,000 per academic year. All benefits under the Post 9/11 GI Bill® are prorated based on the eligible tier percentage and the number of credit hours.

An additional requirements for the Post 9/11 GI Bill® is that you must take at least one full-semester 3-credit on-campus class to be eligible for the full amount of their monthly stipend.

Montgomery GI Bill® Chapter 30

The Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty program provides you up to 36 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty.

Montgomery GI Bill® Chapter 1606

The Montgomery GI Bill® - Selected Reserve program may be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve which includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corp Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and Air National Guard. You may use this educational assistance program for degree and certificate programs.

Eligibility for this program is determined by the Selected Reserve components. VA makes the payments for this program. You may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of education benefits. Your benefit entitlement ends 10 years from the date of your eligibility for the program or on the day you leave the Selected Reserve.

Vocational Rehabilitation Chapter 31

The Vocational Rehabilitation program provides services and assistance necessary for service-connected disabled veterans to achieve independence and to obtain and maintain suitable employment. Services include, in part, assessment, counseling, training, subsistence allowance, and employment assistance. VA also will assist you in job placement. While you are enrolled in a Vocational Rehabilitation program, VA pays the cost of tuition, fees, required books, supplies, and equipment.

If you are eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation benefits, you may receive up to 4 years of rehabilitation services. Generally, you must complete a rehabilitation program within 12 years from the date VA notifies you of your entitlement to compensation benefits.

Survivors’ and Dependents Educational Assistance Program Chapter 35

This program provides financial aid for the education of dependent sons, daughters, and spouses of:

• Veterans who died or are permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability. The disability must arise out of active service in the Armed Forces.
• Veterans who died from any causes while such service-connected disability was in existence.
• Servicepersons missing in action or captured in line of duty by a hostile force.
• Servicepersons forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power.

If you are eligible for Chapter 35 Benefits you may be entitled to receive up to 45 months of education benefits. Generally speaking, for a son or daughter must be between the ages of 18 and 26 to receive benefits for attending school. Marriage of a child does not prohibit this benefit. A young person eligible for training may not enroll while in the Armed Forces. For a spouse, benefits end 10 years from the date VA finds you eligible or from the date of death of the veteran.

Tuition Assistance

• NYS National Guard Educational Incentive Program
• Reserve Tuition Assistance 
• Active Duty Tuition Assistance
• MyCAA for Military Spouses

Other Military NYS Awards

Vietnam Veterans Tuition Awards (VVTA)

This program provides financial assistance to eligible veterans matriculated in undergraduate and graduate degree programs on either a full-time or part-time basis. Students can be awarded up to 100% tuition per semester for full-time study or $5,000 per academic year, whichever is less. To be eligible for this program, the veteran must:

• be a legal resident of New York State
• have served in the armed forces of the United States
• have been discharged from the service under other than dishonorable conditions
• Apply for a Federal Pell Grant and NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) award (Part-time students do not need to apply for a TAP award). 
  • Indochina between December 22, 1961 and May 7, 1975
  • Persian Gulf anytime during the Desert Storm conflict
  • Iraq/ Afghanistan during the current military conflicts

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. To view and print a copy of an estimated personalized cost of attendance you can visit the SUNY Net Price Cost Calculator  and select "Jefferson Community College" from the dropdown. Additional financial information can be found at the NCES College Navigator site. 

The SUNY Financial Aid Plan (FAP) will provide a more in-depth analysis and accurate picture of student cost once the student has filed their FAFSA, completed a SUNY application, and has been accepted by a campus.