Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP)
Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) and State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV)
Waives tuition and mandatory fees for up to eight semesters at Virginia public colleges for spouses and children of qualifying disabled, deceased, MIA or POW veterans; Tier 2 students also get a stipend (up to $1,900 a year).
- How much
- Waiver of tuition and mandatory fees (up to 8 semesters); Tier 2 stipend up to $1,900 per year based on funding
- Who qualifies
- Spouse or child (ages 16-29) of a qualifying Virginia-domiciled veteran (90%+ or permanently and totally disabled) or of a service member killed, MIA, POW or 90%+ disabled from combat
- Admitted to a Virginia public college or university. Qualifying veteran or service member must meet the Virginia domicile requirement of § 23.1-608. Stepchildren qualify only under Tier 2 (deceased service member). Stipend for Tier 2 only.
- For students starting college, undergrads, transfer students, grad students
- When to apply
- Open now · due November 1, 2026 Target dates for new applications: fall by July 1, spring by November 1, summer by April 1. Enrollment updates: fall July 1-Oct 31, spring Nov 1-Mar 31, summer Apr 1-Jun 30.
- How to apply
- Register on the DVS VMSDEP portal, submit a veteran verification request, then apply for benefits with proof of service, Virginia presence, disability/casualty and dependency
- After approval, update your enrollment in the portal every semester you use the benefit
- What you'll need
- state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (dvs.virginia.gov), page 2, page 3 and page 4
The details
Two tiers. Tier 1: spouse or child (16-29, biological or adopted) of a veteran rated by the U.S. VA as totally and permanently disabled or at least 90% permanently disabled from military service. Tier 2: spouse, child (16-29) or certain stepchildren of a service member killed, missing in action, taken prisoner, or rated 100%/90%+ disabled as a direct result of military combat (including operations against terrorism, peacekeeping, terrorist acts or any armed conflict). Both tiers get a guaranteed waiver of all tuition and mandatory fees for up to eight semesters (four academic years) at a Virginia public college or university, undergraduate or graduate. Tier 2 students may also get a stipend each semester for room, board, books and supplies; SCHEV sets the amount each year (SCHEV lists a $1,900 annual maximum). Each term a benefit is used counts as one full term. The veteran/service member must meet the domicile requirement in Code § 23.1-608 (usually five years of presence in Virginia before the admission application if Virginia isn't the home of record). Not need-based; FAFSA is encouraged but not required.
More money from Virginia
- Virginia Space Grant Undergraduate STEM Research ScholarshipUp to $8,500 per year
- Virginia Space Grant Graduate STEM Research Fellowship$6,000 per year
- Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG)Up to $5,250 per year for undergraduates (2026-27 maximum); $5,000 for eligible graduate health-professions students; higher at Hampton and Virginia Union
- Two-Year College Transfer Grant (CTG)Up to $1,000 per year base; plus up to $1,000 STEM-N bonus; plus $1,000 incentive at NSU, ODU, Radford, UVA Wise, VCU and VSU
- Granville P. Meade Scholarship$2,000 per year for four years (most recent cycle)
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.