New YorkS 43582025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Relates to the veterans tuition awards program

Sponsored By: Jamaal Bailey (Republican)

Became Law

VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRSHIGHER EDUCATION

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

Veterans can transfer tuition help to family

Beginning July 1, 2026, a qualified veteran who has not used a veterans tuition award can transfer it to family. Eligible family means a spouse, child, or survivor who lives in New York. A survivor includes a spouse married to the veteran at death; married within 15 years of discharge where the cause began in service; married at least one year; or who had a child with and lived with the veteran, or was not at fault for a separation. The veteran must name the recipients and number of semesters on a state form. The Higher Education Services Corporation posts the form and details online.

Caps on tuition award transfers

Beginning July 1, 2026, a veteran cannot transfer more than their own available tuition award. The program completes no more than 100 transfers per year. If more than 100 requests come in, only up to 100 transfers are processed that year.

Child limits for transferred tuition awards

Beginning July 1, 2026, a child must be under age 26 to receive a transferred award. A child can start using a transfer only if the veteran served at least 10 years. The 10-year rule does not apply if service ended due to the veteran’s death; a pre-existing medical condition; hardship; a physical or mental condition (not a disability) that was not willful misconduct and interfered with duty; a disability; a reduction in force; or involuntary force shaping.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Jamaal Bailey
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Dean Murray
Republican • Senate
Jake Ashby
Republican • Senate
Jeremy Cooney
Democratic • Senate
Jessica Scarcella-Spanton
Democratic • Senate
Joseph P. Addabbo Jr.
Democratic • Senate
Lea Webb
Democratic • Senate
Mario Mattera
Republican • Senate
Pamela Helming
Republican • Senate
Patricia Fahy
Democratic • Senate
Robert Jackson
Democratic • Senate
Steve Rhoads
Republican • Senate
William Weber
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 148 • No: 1

Senate vote • 6/12/2025

FLOOR Vote

Yes: 58 • No: 1

Senate vote • 5/27/2025

FLOOR Vote

Yes: 59 • No: 0

committee vote • 5/20/2025

Finance Committee Vote

Yes: 22 • No: 0

committee vote • 3/4/2025

Veterans, Homeland Security And Military Affairs Committee Vote

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

APPROVAL MEMO.67
12/19/2025Senate
SIGNED CHAP.688
12/19/2025Senate
DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR
12/8/2025Senate
RETURNED TO SENATE
6/16/2025House
PASSED ASSEMBLY
6/16/2025House
ORDERED TO THIRD READING RULES CAL.776
6/16/2025House
SUBSTITUTED FOR A3240A
6/16/2025House
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
6/12/2025House
RETURNED TO ASSEMBLY
6/12/2025Senate
REPASSED SENATE
6/12/2025Senate
AMENDED ON THIRD READING 4358A
6/9/2025Senate
VOTE RECONSIDERED - RESTORED TO THIRD READING
6/9/2025Senate
RETURNED TO SENATE
6/9/2025House
RECALLED FROM ASSEMBLY
6/9/2025Senate
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
5/27/2025House
DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
5/27/2025Senate
PASSED SENATE
5/27/2025Senate
ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
5/22/2025Senate
2ND REPORT CAL.
5/21/2025Senate
1ST REPORT CAL.1221
5/20/2025Senate
REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
3/4/2025Senate
REFERRED TO VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS
2/4/2025Senate

Bill Text

Amendment A
6/9/2025
PDF
Original
2/4/2025
PDF

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