Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program

VMSDEP is a Commonwealth program run by the Department of Veterans Services with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and the public colleges. It is not the federal Dependents' Educational Assistance program. Tier 1 is the spouse, or a child age 16 through 29, of a veteran VA has rated totally and permanently disabled, or at least 90% permanently disabled, because of military service. The student has to be admitted to a Virginia public college or university and meet the domicile rule in Code section 23.1-608. Tier 1 waives tuition and mandatory fees. DVS does not pay the Tier 1 student the room-and-board stipend. Tier 2 uses the same family and school rules, and adds a combat link: the veteran or service member was killed, missing, or a prisoner because of covered military combat, or is totally and permanently disabled or at least 90% permanently disabled because of that combat. Tier 2 waives tuition and mandatory fees and can include a stipend for room, board, books and supplies. The stipend is not an entitlement. Code section 23.1-608.1 pays it only "from such funds as may be appropriated" and gifts, in an amount up to $2,000 "or as provided in the general appropriation act". The 2026-2028 Appropriation Act, Item 131 E, puts $16,780,000 in fiscal 2027 and $19,250,000 in fiscal 2028 behind "up to a $2,200 annual stipend", and says the amount "is an estimate depending on the number of students eligible", so SCHEV can cut it when more students qualify. Confirm the current term limit and stipend with DVS before planning on a number. Both tiers require the veteran to have been discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. A spouse has no age cap. A child ages out at 30, but section 23.1-608 lets the Commissioner of Veterans Services certify a child older than 29 when extenuating circumstances kept the child from using the benefit in time, so a child near the limit should ask rather than assume. Marriage of the child does not end eligibility. Biological and adopted children qualify. A stepchild of a deceased service member qualifies under the statute if the service member claimed the stepchild on a tax return or in DEERS while on active duty. The rating proof is a VA benefits summary when the veteran is totally and permanently disabled, or the full rating decision when the veteran is at least 90% permanently disabled but not totally and permanently disabled. The veteran does not receive this waiver. The spouse and child do.