SUNY Old Westbury has joined a SUNY-wide initiative to expand affordable education for active service military members.

Chancellor John B. King, Jr. announced the new tuition rate on November 11, 2025, which was Veterans Day. He stated the initiative reflected SUNY’s emphasis on social mobility and career security across New York State.

Starting in spring, 2026, a handful of SUNY institutions, including SUNY OW, will offer a new system-wide initiative designed to make a SUNY OW education fully affordable for active-duty service members, members of the National Guard and members of the Reserves.

Military-connected students will have access to the already affordable SUNY OW undergraduate degree and microcredential programs in person or online without additional costs or barriers.

Currently, on the SUNY Old Westbury campus, there are 52 enrolled military-connected students, which includes students who are veterans and those who remain in active service, as well as their dependents.

Application expectations and eligibility

Eligibility is for the following: Active-duty service members, members of the National Guard and members of the reserves. The program requires military-connected students to show valid military identification. The application process has not yet been finalized, but the campus expects it to remain simple.

Bryan Terry, the vice president of enrollment management and marketing has been working on this operation’s full and explicit launch for spring 2026, however a deadline has not been announced.

“While the process hasn’t been fully developed, the students will need to identify themselves, but SUNY Old Westbury will ensure that the process will not be a tedious one,” said Terry. “Most of these students already know our military supporters on campus.”

Campus support for military students

SUNY Old Westbury has dedicated administrators who are already involved with students of military status and will be more than happy to assist with this new military tuition program.

Students could meet with Ann Denning in the Office of the Registrar or Jennifer Jaikaran, who worked closely with veteran students in recruitment and student success.

“The program addresses a long-standing challenge faced by active service members whose federal tuition assistance often falls short of full tuition at public universities,” said Terry.

When military-connected students are applying to higher education, either for the first time or as returning students, many will face hurdles of stress. The interconnected support-systems at SUNY Old Westbury are designed to dismantle confusion and become a compass for students’ uncertainties. The Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success serves as that centralized point of support.

“This support gives them the information and guidance needed to navigate academic, professional, and personal challenges,” said Terry. “Over time, this consistent connection builds trust and empowers veterans to feel confident and support key to a successful transition to civilian life.”

Still have questions?

Students have asked whether the tuition program covered fees, books, or supplies, Terry said, but tuition is the only covered category at this time; students will not have out-of-pocket tuition costs under the program. Military-connected students who received scholarships, grants, or FAFSA assistance remain eligible for the program and can stack the benefits.

Students who drop a course or withdraw will follow SUNY Old Westbury’s standard withdrawal policies the same as for all students receiving tuition benefits.

For further information, students may reach out to Jennifer Jaikaran, Ann Denning, Michael Kinane or Bryan Terry.