SUNY Chancellor King Visits Empire State University to Highlight SUNY Military Tuition Rate Program
SUNY Military Tuition Rate Program Ensures SUNY’s Academic Excellence is Fully Affordable for Active-Duty Service Members, Members of the National Guard, and Members of the Reserves
Empire State University Was One of 24 Campuses to Launch SUNY’s New Military Tuition Rate for Active-Duty Service Members in Spring 2026, On the Path to System-Wide Implementation in Fall 2026
State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today visited Empire State University to highlight SUNY’s Military Tuition Rate Program. The program, which began at select SUNY campuses in the Spring 2026 semester and will expand System-wide this fall, ensures that SUNY’s academic excellence is fully affordable for active-duty service members, members of the National Guard, and members of the Reserves.
“SUNY’s military-connected students enrich our campuses through their accomplishments and diverse life experiences,” said SUNY Chancellor King. “I applaud Empire State University for being a leader in ensuring our active-duty and veteran students have access to the high-quality, affordable SUNY education to pursue their dreams. There is a place at SUNY for every student, and we are proud to honor our active-duty and veteran students for their leadership, skills, and dedication to their country.”
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, “SUNY is dedicated to ensuring our veteran, active-duty, and military-connected students have access to an affordable, excellent education at the campus of their choice. As an inaugural adopter of SUNY’s Military Tuition Rate Program, Empire State University has shown that it is a leader in supporting our military-connected students throughout their academic journeys.”
Empire State University was an inaugural adopter of the SUNY Military Tuition Rate Program, a system-wide initiative that ensures active-duty service members, members of the National Guard, and members of the Reserves can access a high-quality, affordable SUNY undergraduate degree or microcredential program in-person or online without additional costs or barriers. The program addresses a long-standing challenge faced by active-duty service members whose federal tuition assistance often falls short of full tuition at public universities.
Empire State University President Lisa Vollendorf said, “Empire State University was founded to meet students where they are — and for 55 years, that has included the men and women who serve our country. Removing financial barriers for service members has long been part of that commitment. With military-connected enrollment at a five-year high, we know this work matters.”
State Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner said, “Empire State University, located in Saratoga Springs, is once again, leading the way in empowering learners from diverse backgrounds to achieve their educational goals. Noted for its stewardship in online learning, Empire State University is now a leader within the SUNY system for its inaugural adoption of the SUNY Military Tuition Rate Program. Thanks to this new tuition program along with the newly established on-campus Veterans clinics, our Veterans will have a much-needed centralized hub of educational, financial and community support services – all of which will help ensure Military service members’ future success. Of course, I hope our Veterans consider New York, ideally upstate New York, not just their college alumni state, but their home, well beyond graduation. I am grateful to Empire State University for its dedication to flexible, accessible, and affordable education for all students, especially for the men and women who are bravely serving our country.”
This year, Empire State University has seen enrollment of active-duty, National Guard, and Reserves members increase 4.7%, and veteran enrollment has increased 5%, compared to the previous year. Overall, military-connected enrollment at Empire State University has seen an 8.4% increase, and the university is at a 5-year high with more than 1,000 military-connected students enrolled so far this year. Additional active-duty, National Guard member, Reserves member, and veteran with registration still open for enrollments are expected in the Spring Express Term 2 and Summer 2026 semesters, putting the campus on track to exceed last year’s enrollment.
SUNY is committed to supporting veterans and military-connected students on their path to a college education. SUNY’s dedicated one-stop shop website, www.suny.edu/military, includes information on available credit for military service and experience; tuition assistance, such as the Veterans Tuition Awards program approved by Governor Hochul; specialized scholarships, and dedicated campus services like veteran lounges and associations for all 64 SUNY campuses. The website also connects veterans with services offered by the counties where each campus is located, helping them stay close to home and community, and is regularly updated as new information becomes available.
To further support veterans and military-connected students, SUNY launched the Veterans Enrollment and Support Internship Program, appointed SUNY’s first-ever Assistant Director of Enrollment for Military and Veteran Recruitment, expanded prior learning assessment to help both adult learners and current and former military members to advance their careers, and SUNY also provides free college application waivers for military-connected students year-round, to up to seven campuses.