NY S00218

Authorizes the Division of Military and Naval Affairs to establish a tuition award program for active members of the U.S. Reserve Armed Forces who have completed advanced individual training or commissioning requirements.

Limits tuition benefits to New York legal residents and covers actual tuition costs minus any other available educational grant aid (excluding the Montgomery GI Bill), capped at State University of New York tuition rates.

Restricts eligibility to active reserve members without a baccalaureate degree; benefits discontinue upon degree attainment or loss of active member status and may be suspended for failure to maintain military standing or academic progress.

Establishes a Tuition Award Account in the state's Miscellaneous Special Revenue Fund to receive and disburse funds for the program following legislative appropriation.

Program takes effect January 1 following enactment and expires after five years, though recipients who began receiving benefits before expiration may continue until completing a bachelor's degree or leaving active reserve status.