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IMPORTANT - JMU does not apply VMSDEP waivers retroactively. Eligible waivers are applied to current and/or future terms as determined by DVS. Student's name must be on the semester roster in the VMSDEP portal by the last day of the current term in order for the waiver to be applied to that term. Follow the steps in your approval letter or on the VMSDEP website for how to add the current term for benefit usage. 

Follow their application deadline guidelines to ensure you are approved for the semester you want to start the benefit:

In order to determine eligibility prior to your semester start date, a complete VMSDEP application should be submitted at least 90 calendar days prior to the date tuition and mandatory fees are due to the school. Although VMSDEP accepts applications year-round, please use the following chart as a guide for you to submit timely applications:

VMSDEP application target deadlines
Semester You Plan
to Start School
Submit Application By
Fall May 01
Spring September 01
Summer December 15

VMSDEP ELIGIBILITY:

As of July 1, 2019, eligibility for VMSDEP has been updated into two tiers:

Tier 1 Eligibility

The eligible student must be:

  • admitted to a Virginia public college or university; and
  • the spouse; or the child between the ages of 16 and 29 of a qualifying Veteran.

A qualified Veteran is one who:

  • meets the domiciliary requirement as defined in the Code of Virginia § 23.1-608; and
  • is rated totally and permanently disabled or at least 90% permanently disabled due to military service.

Tier 2 Eligibility

The eligible student must be:

  • admitted to a Virginia public college or university; and
  • the spouse; or the child between the ages of 16 and 29 of a qualifying military service member or Veteran.

A qualified military service member or Veteran is one who meets the domiciliary requirement as defined in the Code of Virginia § 23.1-608 and:

  • was killed, became missing in action, taken prisoner of war; or
  • is rated totally and permanently disabled or at least 90% permanently disabled due to direct involvement in covered military combat (includes military operation against terrorism; a peacekeeping mission; a terrorist act; or any armed conflict).

NOTE: A military service member’s death or a Veteran’s total and permanent or at least 90% permanent disability must have been directly caused by the military service members’s or Veteran’s involvement in military operations: 1) against terrorism; 2) on a peacekeeping mission; 3) as a result of a terrorist act; 4) an armed conflict.

The death or service connected disability cannot have incurred during active duty that coincides with, but was not the direct result of, one of the listed events or missions.

To be eligible for assistance under VMSDEP, an applicant must meet eligibility requirements. If qualifications are met for this state program of benefits, an approval letter will be emailed to the email address provided in the application and a copy will be sent to JMU. The JMU VA Program Coordinators will forward copies of the approval letter to the University Business Office and Financial Aid Office for application of the waiver each semester.

Full information about eligibility, required documents and the online application can be found on the VMSDEP website


Attention - you may also be eligible for the Federal benefit, Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA). Visit our JMU website and the DVA website for more information and eligibility requirements.

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