Enacts the "military experience recognized for institutional transfer (MERIT) act"; grants academic credit for veterans with regard to SUNY and CUNY college credits for military learning, training, coursework and occupational experience.
Summary
This bill would require the State University of New York (SUNY) Board of Trustees to adopt a policy directing SUNY and the City University of New York (CUNY), including their colleges and community colleges, to award academic credit to enrolled student veterans for military training or service that meets American Council on Education standards or equivalent standards. The bill is intended to recognize military learning, training, coursework, and occupational experience as college-level learning that can count toward a degree.
The measure also prohibits SUNY and CUNY from charging a fee, tuition, or other assessment for the award of this credit. It applies to veterans as defined in the bill—persons who served in the uniformed services and were discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable—and takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Impact
The bill would amend the Education Law by adding a new section requiring SUNY and CUNY institutions to create and implement procedures for granting academic credit for qualifying military experience. It would affect admissions and credit-transfer practices across public higher education institutions in New York, potentially reducing time to degree and out-of-pocket costs for veteran students. The bill would also create a statewide policy framework for evaluating military training against academic standards, rather than leaving such decisions entirely to individual campuses.
Sentiment
The available context suggests generally favorable treatment of the bill. There are no recorded committee transcripts or votes showing opposition, and the bill was introduced, amended, and recommitted in committee, which is consistent with routine legislative consideration of a veterans’ education measure. The caption and text frame the proposal as a veterans’ benefits and higher-education access bill, indicating a supportive policy goal of expanding educational opportunities for service members and veterans.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Potential areas of debate, based on the bill’s structure, could include how strictly SUNY and CUNY must apply American Council on Education standards, whether campuses retain discretion under their admission standards, and the administrative or fiscal impact of evaluating military records and awarding credit without charging fees. However, the transcript and vote record provided do not identify any named opponents or disputed provisions.
Same As
Enacts the "military experience recognized for institutional transfer (MERIT) act"; grants academic credit for veterans with regard to SUNY and CUNY college credits for military learning, training, coursework and occupational experience.
Enacts the "military experience recognized for institutional transfer (MERIT) act"; grants academic credit for veterans with regard to SUNY and CUNY college credits for military learning, training, coursework and occupational experience.
Relates to academic credit for veterans with regard to credit for SUNY and CUNY college credits for courses that were part of the student veterans' military training.
Relates to academic credit for veterans with regard to credit for SUNY and CUNY college credits for courses that were part of the student veterans' military training.
A bill for an act relating to the law enforcement academy, including military veterans with active duty military police experience and former federal law enforcement officers. (Formerly HF 539.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.
In professional and occupational licenses, further providing for definitions and providing for policy for the award of academic credit for military training; and making editorial changes.