New York Operation Recognition High School Diploma
A New York high school diploma for a New York resident veteran with a satisfactory discharge who never finished high school, on any active-duty service (Education Law 305(29) to (29-c)); bring the DD-214 to any New York school that issues diplomas, with no fee and no need to have attended school in New York.
Also called: Operation Recognition, high school diploma, BOCES, school district, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, honorary diploma.
Operation Recognition awards a New York State high school diploma to a veteran who left high school before graduating in order to enter military service.
It is worth being precise about what this is. It is a high school diploma issued by a school district, not a High School Equivalency or GED certificate. For a veteran who has carried the absence of a diploma for decades, on job applications and in conversation, the difference is the entire point of the program.
The law. Education Law section 305(29), (29-a) and (29-b) created the programme for veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam, and subdivision 29-c extends it to "any veteran of the armed forces who has served on active duty in the United States Armed Forces, and who was unable, for any reason, to complete a secondary education", to be "awarded a high school diploma based on knowledge and experience gained while in service".
What NYSED asks. A veteran who "Must have been a member of the US Armed Forces, and engaged in qualified service" and "Is a resident of New York State and received a satisfactory discharge", shown by a DD-214, a Certificate of Service, or a letter from a recognized veterans agency. "Interested veterans should bring their honorable discharge certificate or letter to any New York State School that issues general or local diplomas"; New York City veterans contact NYSED ([email protected], 518-474-8940). "There is no fee for this service. Candidates do not need to show evidence of attendance at a school in New York State. They only need to affirm in writing that they do not possess a high school diploma. Candidates possessing a high school equivalency diploma are also eligible."
Families often ask about a diploma for a deceased veteran; NYSED's page does not address it, so ask the school or NYSED.
There is no disability rating anywhere in this benefit and no deadline. County Veterans Service Agencies can help find the documents.
Thresholds
Thresholds for New York Operation Recognition High School Diploma
Gate
Rule
Active-duty service, no high school diploma, New York residence
The gates are active-duty service, a satisfactory discharge, New York residence and no high school diploma (an equivalency diploma does not bar it). No disability rating is involved, so the rating filter never hides this benefit.
Eligibility rule “Left a New York high school to serve, with an honorable discharge” renamed “Active-duty service, no high school diploma, New York residence”.
Eligibility rule “Active-duty service, no high school diploma, New York residence” now reads: “The gates are active-duty service, a satisfactory discharge, New York residence and no high school diploma (an equivalency diploma does not bar it). No disability rating is involved, so the rating filter never hides this benefit.”
Summary reworded.
And 5 more changes.
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Disclaimer
VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.