Virginia Military Survivors & Dependents Education Program

The Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP) is a Commonwealth of Virginia program that provides education benefits to spouses and children of qualifying Veterans who have been rated by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) as totally and permanently disabled or at least 90 percent permanently disabled as a result of military service or qualifying Military Service Members killed, missing in action, taken prisoner, or who have been rated by the USDVA as totally and permanently disabled or at least 90 percent permanently disabled as a direct result of involvement in covered military combat. Military service includes the United States Armed Forces, United States Armed Forces Reserves, or the Virginia National Guard. VMSDEP assists survivors and dependents of qualified Veterans or Service members in attaining their educational goals.

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (VDVS) is responsible for certifying eligibility for benefits under the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program.

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and Virginia’s public colleges and universities are responsible for applying the financial aid benefits (tuition/fee waiver, stipend) available under VMSDEP.

Benefits are available for up to eight semesters, the equivalent of four academic years.

Announcement from VMSDEP

The VMSDEP staff is unavailable today, September 18 th , due to staff training to better serve Veterans and their families. The VMSDEP staff will resume normal operations tomorrow, September 19 th . We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and we thank you for your understanding.

This page contains information about the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP), eligibility, and how to apply. For information on the VMSDEP Task Force, click here.

Benefits Provided

Available to Tier 1 and Tier 2 Authorizations :

Tuition and Mandatory Fees Waiver – Eligible students, as confirmed by DVS, are guaranteed waiver of all tuition and mandatory fees for eight semesters at a Virginia public college or university.

Available to only Tier 2 Authorization :

VMSDEP Stipend – Eligible students may receive a stipend one time during the semester to off-set educational expenses such as room, board, books, and supplies. SCHEV works with DVS and the public colleges and universities in disbursing funds. The amount of the stipend is determined annually by SCHEV and is dependent on the student’s enrollment status; the number of participating students; and the available funding.

Requirements for Tier 1 Authorization

A Tier 1 qualifying Veteran is one who :

A Spouse must :

A Child must :

Stepchild :

Tier 1 Authorization has not extended to include the stepchild. See Requirements for Tier 2 Authorization.

Items Required to Process Application for Tier 1 Authorization

Proof of Military Service :

Proof of Presence in Virginia : Evidence showing the qualifying Veteran meets the domiciliary requirement as defined in the Code of Virginia § 23.1-608 is required if Virginia is not listed as the Home of Record Upon Entry on the item used to show Proof of Military Service. If applicable, evidence to show Proof of Presence in Virginia must show the qualifying Veteran’s full name, date, and physical address. In most cases, one document for each year is required to show presence in Virginia for at least five years immediately prior to the date on which the admission application was submitted by or on behalf of the applying dependent(s) to a Virginia public college or university . Example of evidence to show Proof of Presence in Virginia:

Proof of Disability : Official document(s) showing the qualified Veteran is rated by the USDVA as totally and permanently disabled or at least 90 percent permanently disabled for service-connected condition(s). Official document applicants must submit is:

Proof of Dependency :

NOTE: If you have appointed a Veterans Services Organization (VSO) or representative to assist you with Veteran’s support services, you may contact your VSO or representative to assist you with obtaining the requested USDVA documents listed above. If you have not appointed a VSO or representative, you may contact the USDVA at 1-800-827-1000 or visit their website at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/vso-search for a list of VSOs and representatives approved to provide services to the Veteran community.

Requirements for Tier 2 Authorization

A Tier 2 qualifying military service member is one who :

NOTE: Service in military combat includes (1) a military operation against terrorism; (2) a peacekeeping mission; (3) a terrorist act; or (4) any armed conflict.

NOTE: A Tier 2 qualifying service member must also meet the domiciliary requirement as defined in the Code of Virginia § 23.1-608.

A Spouse must :

A Child must :

A Stepchild must :

Items Required to Process Application for Tier 2 Authorization

Proof of Military Service :

Proof of Presence in Virginia: Evidence showing the qualifying military service member meets the domiciliary requirement as defined in the Code of Virginia § 23.1-608 is required if Virginia is not listed as the Home of Record Upon Entry on the item used to show Proof of Military Service. If applicable, evidence to show Proof of Presence in Virginia must show the qualifying military service member’s full name, date, and physical address. In most cases, one document for each year is required to show presence in Virginia for at least five years immediately prior to the date on which the admission application was submitted by or on behalf of the applying dependent(s) to a Virginia public college or university. Example of evidence to show Proof of Presence in Virginia:

Proof of Disability: Official document(s) showing the qualifying military service member served in combat (includes military operation against terrorism; a peacekeeping mission; a terrorist act; or any armed conflict) and due to such service:

Any or a combination of the following items may show proof the military service member meets the referenced requirement:

Proof of Dependency :