Virginia Military Survivors & Dependents Educational Program

The Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP) provides educational benefits to spouses and children of military service members killed, missing in action, taken prisoner, or who became at least 90 percent disabled* as a result of military service in an armed conflict.

The purpose of VMSDEP is to provide undergraduate or other postsecondary education to eligible participants by providing a waiver of tuition and all required fees associated with tuition at any public institution of higher education or other public accredited postsecondary institution granting a degree, diploma, or certificate in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Benefits are available for up to 36 months.

This benefit includes a tuition waiver and depending on the tier of eligibility, a book stipend. 

According to the Virginia Department of Veteran Services: “The Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP) provides education benefits to spouses and children of military service members killed, missing in action, taken prisoner, or who have been rated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as totally and permanently disabled or at least 90 percent permanently disabled as a result of military service. Military service includes service in the United States Armed Forces, United States Armed Forces Reserves, or the Virginia National Guard.” 

Ask your campus veterans benefits advisor for more information, especially if you are using Chapter 35 (Federal education benefit for dependents and spouses). 

For more information visit the Virginia Department of Veteran Services.