Eric Farina, Director of Veteran's Affairs
Laffin hall, Room 202
(631) 794-6168
farinaed@farmingdale.edu

Eric Farina is the Director of Veteran's Affairs at Farmingdale State College. His office is in Laffin hall, room 202. Eric was a public school teacher for eight years in Atlanta before returning to Long Island.  He has taught as an adjunct professor in history at Suffolk Community College's Ammerman campus in Selden.  He holds a BA in history from Long Island University and an MA in military history from American Public University.  He has a total of ten years military service in all components of the US Army: Active, Reserve, National Guard and The Active Guard-Reserve program. In his last position he served for three years as the full-time Training NCO for Company B, 69th Infantry at the Huntington Station armory.

The Veterans Affairs Office employs a number of work study students, funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs.  Eric serves as the academic advisor for all veterans who are first time college students who are attending FSC and who are currently not in a Program. In addition, this office will help the applicant navigate the admissions, registration and financial aid process.  This office is the primary point of contact for all applicants interested in attending Farmingdale State College. Furthermore, once a veteran reaches their senior year, the office of veterans affairs will also provide assistance in the search for a career after graduation. 

Application Process for Veterans

Step 1.   Apply Now to Farmingdale State College and follow the instructions. You will need to pay a non-refundable $50 application fee.  You will need to provide direct deposit information at the time of application. For any admissions related questions contact admissions @farmingdale.edu  Immediately after you submit your SUNY application, apply for GI Bill benefits at VONAPP (online veterans Application).

In several weeks you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility from the VA stating what percentage of benefits to which you are entitled. 

Step 2.  All veterans should apply for Financial Aid . If you apply for FAFSA you may get more aid than you think. However, this could take up to eight weeks so apply as soon as possible.

Step 3. All veterans go to Student Accounts well before the payment deadline and let them know what percentage of benefits you are entitled to. Student Accounts is located in Laffin Hall room 226. If you get less than 100% of GI Bill benefits and you are an OIF/OEF vet, you can fill in the gap for tuition with the NY state VTA. They will not pay the BAH difference though.

Step 4. After acceptance to the school bring your VA Certificate of Eligibility, which authorizes you to receive benefits, to the Registrar's office Certifying Official. Then fill out a Blue card with the classes you want to take and submit it to the Registrar.

Step 4A. If you are a transfer student who previously used the GI Bill, fill out a VA form 22-1995 which can you can find at VA forms and fax it to 631-420-2275.

Step 5. The first time recipient should receive their benefits in six to eight weeks. Continuing students should receive their benefits within a week to ten days from certification. You must take 12 credits or more to receive your full benefits, including tuition, fees and your housing allowance.

Additional Information 

 If you are a vet of OIF/OEF you are entitled to the NY State Veterans Tuition Award (VTA). The VTA will cover 98% of your tuition only (Not BAH Payments) for 4 yrs of undergrad and 3 yrs of grad school. You must be in a matriculating program though. The GI Bill will pick up the other 2% of tuition as well as fees+book stipend+BAH. If you are not an overseas vet, the VA urges you to apply for Financial Aid.

 Furthermore, visit the VA's vocational rehabilitation program  site. It is designed to help veterans with service-connected disabilities become employed, maintain employment or achieve independence in daily living. 

Call to Active Duty

If you are in the reserves or National Guard and are called to active duty, in order to incur no financial liability, you must do the following, if the mobilization occurs after the first week of classes.

Obtain a Semester course withdrawal form from the Registrar?s office and give it to your curriculum advisor for signature if you are matriculated in a program in addition to a Course withdrawal form for EACH course for which you are registered. Return these two completed forms to the Certifying Official in the located in the Registrar?s Office in Laffin 225 along with a copy of your Mobilization orders.

If you are absent for only one semester no official notice is required upon your return.   If you are absent for more than one semester you must apply for readmission. Please contact admissions at 631-420-2200 or e-mail at admissions@farmingdale.edu.  

Free Services to veterans

• Intent to enroll fee waived

• Vehicle parking fee waived

• Orientation fee waived

• Residence life scholarship for vets on campus

• Housing deposit waived

• Fitness center fee waived

• Priority room reservation

• Health and wellness center free (except for lab tests)