There’s some incredible news out of Albany that’s going to make a big difference for Veterans across New York State. The New York State Department of Veterans’ Services just announced the recipients of this year’s Justice For Heroes grant.
Five law schools, Hofstra, Syracuse, Cornell, University at Buffalo, and Albany Law, will each receive $150,000 to grow or launch programs that provide free legal help to Veterans, Service Members, and their families.
What the Grant Is All About
The Justice For Heroes initiative isn’t just a typical grant, it’s a bold move to close the justice gap for those who’ve served. These funds will help law schools run hands on legal clinics where students and faculty work together to support Veterans facing civil legal challenges. That could mean anything from helping someone upgrade their military discharge status to stopping a foreclosure or getting long-overdue VA benefits. And the best part? All services are offered at no cost to the Veterans.
How the Funding Works
Each school is eligible for up to $50,000 per year over three years, depending on performance and available resources. This is a smart investment not just in legal help, but in the future of public interest law. Law students will get practical experience while making a real impact in the lives of Veterans and their families.
A Closer Look at What Each School Is Doing
Albany Law School: Albany Law is expanding its legal services for Veterans and helping more students find careers in Veterans’ legal affairs. The grant will go toward things like summer stipends for law students and increasing supervisory support at legal service agencies.
Hofstra University School of Law: Hofstra is doing powerful work, especially in supporting Veterans dealing with the lasting impact of military sexual trauma. They’ll use the funding to assist with VA medical care access, discharge upgrades, and service-connected benefit appeals. They also plan to deepen partnerships with trauma experts to provide stronger, more compassionate legal representation…