ALBANY — The SUNY system is moving to provide a new kind of tuition assistance to active-duty service members, closing a gap in education programs focused on those who serve or have served in the nation’s military.

Under the program, active-duty service members can receive a school-sponsored scholarship that matches the kind of federal educational assistance a veteran or reserve service member would receive.

As of early November, nine campuses have opted into the early adoption phase, including SUNY Canton, SUNY Plattsburgh, SUNY Oswego, the online-focused Empire State University, and schools in western New York and the Hudson Valley. They will provide the scholarships starting in January for the spring semester. The remaining SUNY schools, including both community colleges and four-year campuses, will start providing the scholarships starting in August next year for the fall semester.

This will not extend to CUNY schools in New York City, which operate separately from SUNY.

This scholarship program closes a gap that’s been left in educational assistance programs provided to soldiers, veterans and reservists, where those on active duty weren’t given access to as many of the grants and scholarships as those in the reserves or people who had completed their time in the military. That’s largely because college courses and other educational opportunities relied on in-person teaching. Now, with the advent of online schools like Empire State University and the rollout of online-only degree programs at most SUNY campuses, active-duty soldiers can seek a college degree while in the service.

“As part of SUNY’s ongoing efforts to honor the heroes who have answered the call to serve, we are taking action for those who currently serve today,” SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said in a statement. “With the new military tuition rate, SUNY is removing barriers and making sure cost is never what stands between service members and their education. On Veterans Day, and every day, SUNY is proud to support our veterans, active duty service members, and military-connected students.”

SUNY is also crafting a “one stop shop” webpage with information for veterans and all students with a connection to the military at SUNY.edu/military, which will explain the active-duty scholarship and other assistance programs, as well as on-campus and community-based resources for veterans and soldiers.

SUNY’s focus on reaching veterans and those in the military is a longstanding effort, and trickles down to individual campuses, many of which operate their own individual programs aimed at that group.

“The Military Tuition Rate Program reflects our college’s deep commitment to supporting those who serve in our armed forces,” said SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran. “It is the latest in a series of strategies to remove financial barriers and expand access to high-quality SUNY Canton education and it deepens on our commitment to being a military-friendly college.”

“Our service members give so much of themselves to protect and strengthen our nation,” said SUNY Plattsburgh President Alexander Enyedi. “At SUNY Plattsburgh, we believe it is our responsibility to make their path to higher education clear, affordable and accessible. The Military Tuition Rate embodies the values of service and opportunity that define both SUNY and our campus community.”