We know that many of you may not know how to apply for and receive benefits as a spouse or dependent of a veterans or servicemember, but we do and we are ready to help. Below you will find a list of benefits available to families of veterans and servicemembers. If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact the Office of Veterans and Military Affairs at Medaille College.

Transfer of Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits to Dependents (TEB)

Summary of Benefits:

The Post-9/11 GI Bill allows service members (officer or enlisted, active duty or Selected Reserve), on or after August 1, 2009, to transfer unused education benefits to immediate family members (spouse and children). The service member must have at least six years of service, and commit to an additional four years of service in order to transfer benefits to a spouse or child. Because of the potential impact of this benefit on recruiting and retention, transferability policy is determined by the Department of Defense services.

Who is Eligible for TEB:

Any member of the Armed Forces (active duty or Selected Reserve, officer or enlisted) on or after August 1, 2009, who is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and:

• Has at least 6 years of service in the Armed Forces on the date of election and agrees to serve 4 additional years in the Armed Forces from the date of election.
• Has at least 10 years of service in the Armed Forces (active duty and/or selected reserve) on the date of election, is precluded by either standard policy (service or DoD) or statute from committing to 4 additional years, and agrees to serve for the maximum amount of time allowed by such policy or statute, or
• Is or becomes retirement eligible during the period from August 1, 2009, through August 1, 2013. A service member is considered to be retirement eligible if he or she has completed 20 years of active duty or 20 qualifying years of reserve service.
  • For those individuals eligible for retirement on August 1, 2009, no additional service is required.
  • For those individuals who have an approved retirement date after August 1, 2009, and before July 1, 2010, no additional service is required.
  • For those individuals eligible for retirement after August 1, 2009, and before August 1, 2010, 1 year of additional service after approval of transfer is required.
  • For those individuals eligible for retirement on or after August 1, 2010, and before August 1, 2011, 2 years of additional service after approval of transfer are required.
  • For those individuals eligible for retirement on or after August 1, 2011, and before August 1, 2012, 3 years of additional service after approval of transfer required.

Eligible Dependents

An individual approved to transfer an entitlement to educational assistance under this section may transfer the individual's entitlement to:

• The individual's spouse.
• One or more of the individual's children.
• Any combination of spouse and child.

A family member must be enrolled in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System (DEERS) and be eligible for benefits, at the time of transfer to receive transferred educational benefits.

A child's subsequent marriage will not affect his or her eligibility to receive the educational benefit; however, after an individual has designated a child as a transferee under this section, the individual retains the right to revoke or modify the transfer at any time.

A subsequent divorce will not affect the transferee's eligibility to receive educational benefits; however, after an individual has designated a spouse as a transferee under this section, the eligible individual retains the right to revoke or modify the transfer at any time.

How to Apply:

Read the official DoD website containing in-depth information about TEB
Read information on how to apply for TEB.

 

Survivors & Dependents Assistance (DEA)

Summary of Benefits

Dependents' Educational Assistance provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. If you are a spouse, you may take a correspondence course. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.

Eligibility

You must be the son, daughter, or spouse of:

• A veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability. The disability must arise out of active service in the Armed Forces.
• A veteran who died from any cause while such permanent and total service-connected disability was in existence.
• A servicemember missing in action or captured in line of duty by a hostile force.
• A servicemember forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power.
• A servicemember who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability. This change is effective December 23, 2006.

How to Apply:

Read the official VA website containing in-depth information about DEA and how to apply.

 

Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA)

Summary

The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program provides up to $4,000 (over 2 years) of Financial Assistance for military spouses who are pursuing degree programs, licenses or credentials leading to employment in portable career fields.

MyCAA Eligibility

Spouses of active duty service members in pay grades E1-E5, W1-W2, and O1-O2, as well as the spouses of activated Guard and Reserve members within those ranks. Spouses of Guard and Reserve members must be able to start and complete their courses while their sponsor is on Title 10 orders.

Note: The MyCAA program does not include Coast Guard spouses.

Read more information about the MyCAA program.
MyCAA Application Checklist

 

MyCAA Points of Contact at Medaille College:

Sergio Rodriguez (716) 462-7629
srr37@medaille.edu
MyCAA Program Technician

Jessica Lane (716) 880-2366
jessica.lane@medaille.edu
MyCAA Grade Technician

Diane Schmidt (716) 880-2271
diane.t.schmidt@medaille.edu
MyCAA Invoice and Finance Technician

 

NYS Regents Awards for Children of Deceased and Disabled Veterans

Regents Awards for Children of Deceased and Disabled Veterans were created to provide financial aid to students whose parent(s) served in the U.S. Armed Forces during specified times of national emergency.

Who Is Eligible?

Students whose parent(s) served in the U.S. Armed Forces during specified periods of war or national emergency and, as a result of service, either died, suffered a 40% or more disability, was classified as missing in action, or was a prisoner of war. The veteran must currently be a New York State resident or have been a New York State resident at the time of death.

 

Students whose parent(s) was the recipient of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, or the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal for participation in operations in Lebanon, Grenada, or Panama.

 

Note: Students who were born with spina bifida whose parent is a Vietnam Veteran who served in the U.S. Armed Forces in Indochina between 12/22/61 - 05/07/75 must contact HESC at 1-888-697-4372 for application instructions

 

Award Amount

 

The award is $450 per year

 

How to Apply

Read the official NYS Division of Veterans Affairs website for in-depth information about the NYS Regents Award and application instructions.

Military Service Recognition Scholarships

Military Service Recognition Scholarships provides financial aid to veterans, children, spouses, and financial dependents of members of the US Armed Forces who while NYS residents, died or became severely and permanently disabled while engaged in hostilities or training for hostilities

Who is eligible?

Eligible recipients include veterans, children, spouses and financial dependents of members of the US Armed forces who, while NYS residents, on or after August 2, 1990 :

• Died, or became severely and permanently disabled as a result of injury or illness suffered or incurred, or are classified as missing in action in a combat theater or zone of operations; or who died as a result of injuries incurred in these areas; OR
• Died, or became severely and permanently disabled as result of injury or illness suffered or incurred during military training operations in preparation for duty in a combat theater or combat zone of operations.

What is required to apply?

 

• Must establish eligibility by applying to the Higher Education Services Corp (HESC) website or calling 1-888-697-4372.
• Veteran parent must be a NYS resident
• Have applied for the Tuition Assistance Program and Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)