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Military Enhanced Recognition Incentive and Tribute - MERIT Scholarship, also known as Military Service Recognition Scholarship (MSRS)

New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)

The Military Enhanced Recognition Incentive and Tribute (MERIT) Scholarship provides an equal amount to the actual tuition for college. The scholarship is given to children, spouses and financial dependents of members of the armed forces of the United States or state organized militia to support them financially to pursue post-secondary education.

Key Information

Eligibility Requirements

  • Age/Grade Level:
    The applicant must have graduated from high school, or have a high school equivalency diploma earned through passing the Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC), formally known as the GED, or passed a federally approved "Ability to Benefit" test as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department.
  • Financial Need:
    Not Mentioned
  • Other Academic Requirements:
    The applicant must be enrolled as a full-time student taking 12 or more credits per semester.
  • College:
    The applicant must study at an approved postsecondary institution in New York State.
  • Military:
    The scholarship is open to children, spouses and financial dependents of members of the armed forces of the United States or state organized militia who provided eligible military service on or after Aug 2, 1990.
  • Miscellaneous:
    The applicant must not be in default on any State or federal student loan or on any repayment of state awards.
  • Other Benefits:
    The award covers up to four years of full-time undergraduate study (or five years in an approved five-year bachelor's degree program) and includes the following components:- Tuition: An amount equal to your actual tuition or the State University of New Yorks (SUNY) in-state tuition, whichever is less.- Non-tuition Costs: These include room and board and allowances for books, supplies and transportation up to the average cost at SUNY Colleges. The Commissioner of Education sets the non-tuition cost allowances each year.- Residence: A student living on campus will receive a higher room and board allowance than a commuter student. If housing is not available for students on campus they will receive the same allowance as students living on campus.

Application Details

  • Transcript:
    Not required
  • Resume/Activity List:
    Not required
  • Other Materials:
    Current New York State residents Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and TAP on the Web application. FAFSA and TAP applications and instructions are available on-line at HESC.ny.gov.

Contact Information