Veteran Services
WELCOME VETERANS
Thank you for your valor and dedication to serving our country. At Paul Smith’s College, we are honored that you have chosen us to further your educational goals. Our commitment is to your success both as a student and as an individual.
Why Paul Smith’s College?
Join a close-knit community where hands-on experiential learning is at the forefront. We are a proud participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which covers tuition and fees for those eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.
Our Commitment to You
At Paul Smith’s, you will find unwavering support in both your academic and personal journeys. Our diverse programs emphasize learning by doing, fostering an environment ripe for discovery, discipline, and creativity. We believe in challenging you to explore new opportunities, thereby investing in your future. Let us be a part of your transformative journey.
Support for Veterans, Military, and Families
We provide dedicated personnel to help you navigate and use your educational benefits, including:
• Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapter 30)
• Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31)
• Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)
• Montgomery GI Bill®-Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)
Our VA Certifying Official is here to assist you every step of the way, from applying for benefits to addressing any questions.
New York State Veterans Tuition Award
New York State residents may qualify for the Veterans Tuition Award. Note that this benefit cannot be combined with full Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits.
VA Work Study Opportunities
Explore available VA Work Study positions designed to support your educational journey while gaining valuable experience.
Experience Shapes You—Let Paul Smith’s Be Part of That Journey
Welcome to a community that values your service and is dedicated to your success. We look forward to supporting you as you achieve your goals at Paul Smith’s College.
Veteran's Club
This club provides support to the Veteran’s at Paul Smith’s College. They also do many community service projects for the local community as well as for our military oversees. Check them out on Facebook.
Veteran’s Club President: Marcus McGivney
mmcgivney@paulsmiths.edu
About Us
For over 60 years, Paul Smith’s College has been helping students discover their passions and achieve their goals through experiential learning. Whether it’s forestry or the culinary arts, hospitality or biology, natural resources or business, we are firm believers in the principle that “doing” is critical to learning and launching a rewarding career.
Our 15-to-1 student-faculty ratio means personal attention from dedicated teachers who excel at bringing out your best. And our approach works – more than 90 percent of Paul Smith’s alumni land jobs in their chosen fields or go to graduate school within six months of graduation.
SERVICE IS PART OF OUR HERITAGE
It’s part of our edu
cation; whether serving guests or the community through our environmental programs, our programs are infused with that notion.
We have a proud tradition of service with our armed forces as well. While Paul Smith’s College was being built during World War II, for example, campus was used as a U.S. Army Signal Corps training center. Our first classes, in fact, were made up mostly of veterans taking advantage of the first GI Bill®.
We appreciate your service as well. And, as a small token of that, we are waiving our standard application fee for veterans.
Resources
Paul Smith’s Veteran Resource Center is dedicated solely to our vets for both work and play. It features an area for gaming, lounging and watching TV, as well as computers and work areas where you can concentrate.
The Marine Corps Leadership Scholar Program was formed with the express purpose of providing assistance in accelerating the admission of qualified Marines to four year, not-for-profit, colleges and universities across the nation, in an effort to offer the most expeditious route for attainment of their respective educational goals as they transition from active duty to the private sector. For more information, visit the website.
Yellow Ribbon School
We are a proud participant in the VA’s Yellow Ribbon Program. As such, tuition and fees are completely covered for veterans and their designated transferees who are eligible at the 100% level.
Contact Us »
Office of Veteran Services
Nicole Beaudoin
Director of Veteran Admissions
518-327-6091
EMAIL
Specialist David Lattuca, U.S. Army, Invasive Species Manager with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Management and Policy major at Paul Smith’s College, Class of 2010
“My experience as a veteran at Paul Smith’s College was transformative. The close-knit community and support systems helped me successfully transition from the military to civilian life. I worked for the Paul Smith’s College Watershed Institute as a watershed steward and aquatic plant manager, which helped me gain experience in the field of invasive species management.”
Cpl. Owen Hardy, U.S. Marine Corps, Arabic Linguist, Biological Technician for the National Park Service, Environmental Science major at Paul Smith’s College, Class of 2015
“My experience as a veteran at Paul Smith’s College was fantastic. The director of Veteran Services greatly simplified dealing with financial aid and GI Bill® benefits, and the veterans club offered numerous opportunities to participate in charitable and social events. The education I received at Paul Smith’s eventually helped me land a job working with bison in Yellowstone National Park as a biological technician for the National Park Service.”
VISIT US
Nothing can compare to a personal visit to Paul Smith’s College. In fact, 75% of students who visit the campus end up enrolling. Come see for yourself, because seeing is believing!
ADMISSIONS
Paul Smith’s College is a proud member of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) and a member of the Concurrent Admissions Program (ConAP) for Army enlistees.
Visit to learn more:
DEGREE PROGRAMS
Paul Smith’s College offers 20 bachelor and six associate degrees, as well as one master’s, for adventurous, enterprising learners. Learn more by exploring the following pages:
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
When you are a student at Paul Smith’s College, you’re part of a community that always has your back. It’s a lot like family. We offer several academic resources that veterans might find especially useful: