Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP)

The VMSDEP state program provides up to eight academic semesters of education benefits at Virginia's public colleges and universities to spouses and children of military service members and veterans who:

• Were killed in action
• Are missing in action
• Were taken prisoner
• Are considered 90% disabled as a result of military service by the Department of Veterans Affairs

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) manages the program and collaborates with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and Virginia’s public colleges and universities to assist spouses and children of qualified military service members and Veterans in achieving their educational goals.

Applicants must be the children—ages 16 to 29—or the spouse of a qualified military service member, and Virginia must be the service member's home of record for at least five years before the application is made. You'll need a variety of supporting documents for the application, including:

• Authorization to Review Records
• Authorization to Disclose Records
• Proof of Military Service (DD Form 214; DD Form 1300, which will come from the service branch)
• Proof of residency (tax records, utility bills, mortgage statements, for example)
• Proof of disability (service medical records, military disability board decisions, for example)
• Proof of dependency (marriage license, birth certificate, adoption decree, for example)

Application Process

The application process is managed exclusively through the Virginia Department of Veteran Services (DVS) online portal. Please note the dates by which the portal opens for each term:

To be eligible for assistance under VMSDEP, an applicant must meet the Virginia Department of Veteran Services’ eligibility requirements. If qualifications are met for this state program of benefits, UVA is notified through the Portal’s online roster. You can also find a summary of information in the Veterans Education, Training, and Employment flyer (PDF).

1. Submit your application online through the VMSDEP Application Portal managed by the Virginia Department of Veteran Services (DVS). Applications are submitted for each term the student wishes to utilize benefits. It is the student’s responsibility to update their application status for each term.
2. Once completed, UVA is notified of eligible students through DVS' portal. This does not require the student to submit additional information to UVA, we access updated rosters online through VA DVS’ portal. SFS will update your student account accordingly based on eligibility. Stipend eligibility is also managed through this portal.

Notes:

• Financial Aid: As a state veterans benefit, VMSDEP will be included as a financial resource in your financial aid offer package and may reduce state grants, University grants, federal loans and work study, and private loans. Each financial aid offer type is different, so the benefit may affect each person’s offer differently.
• Retroactive Waivers: UVA does not apply waivers retroactively. Eligible waivers are applied to current and/or future terms as determined by DVS.

TUITION BENEFITS (TIER 1 & TIER 2)*

Eligible students, as confirmed by DVS, are guaranteed a waiver of all tuition and mandatory fees for eight semesters at a Virginia public college or university and Eastern Virginia Medical School. (Please note: Tuition and mandatory fees are waived. Mandatory fees include the comprehensive fee, school fee, and university fee. Housing, dining, books, and supplies are considered educational expenses and are not waived under this program.)

STIPEND BENEFITS (TIER 2 ONLY)*

Eligible students may receive a stipend to offset educational expenses such as housing, dining, 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. Follow this link to access the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program Tier 2 Stipend Fact Sheet.

*For Tier 1 & Tier 2 definitions and all eligibility requirements, please refer to the Virginia Department of Veterans Services website.

VMSDEP Office:
Phone: (804) 786-0571
Fax: (804)-786-0809
Email: [email protected] 
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

James Monroe Building
101 North 14th Street, 17th Floor
Richmond, Virginia 23219

Attention - you may also be eligible for the Federal benefit, Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance program (DEA). Please visit and the VA Survivors and Dependents website for more information and eligibility requirements.