Virginia Department of Veterans Services – Education
Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program
The Military Survivors and Dependents Program (MSDEP) provides education 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. Military service includes service in the United
States Armed Forces, United States Armed Forces Reserves, the Virginia National
Guard, or the Virginia National Guard Reserves. Armed conflict includes military
operations against terrorism or as the result of a terrorist act, a peace-keeping
mission, or any armed conflict after December 6, 1941. This program may pay for
tuition and fees at any state-supported college or university. This program waives
tuition and fees in Virginia. Benefits are available for up to four years.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, children and spouses of qualifying military service members must
meet the following requirements.
- The child must be between ages 16 and 29; There are no
age restrictions for spouses.
- The military service member must have been a Virginia
citizen at the time he or she entered active duty or must have been a
Virginia citizen for at least five years immediately prior to the date
of the application for admission.
- In the case of a deceased military service member the
veteran’s surviving spouse can meet the residency requirements if he or
she lived in Virginia for at least five years prior to marrying the
military service member or has been a citizen of Virginia for at least
five years immediately prior to the date of application.
Required Documentation
In most cases, eligibility will be determined using documentation from the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. However, the veteran or surviving spouse may be
asked to provide documentation verifying residency or the applicant’s age or
relationship. State income tax records, birth certificates, and/or marriage
certificates are usually sufficient.
Recertification
To continue receiving MSDEP benefits, qualifying enrolled students must provide a
letter to the Virginia Department of Veterans Services stating their continued
enrollment, the period of time attended, and the period of time for which they
are requesting benefits.
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