Follow the steps in our VMSDEP/Chapter 35 brochure or below to setup the State benefit VMSDEP at James Madison University:

Step 1: Apply through the VMSDEP Portal Account

• More information regarding eligibility, application process and contact information found on the VMSDEP website
  • Follow their application deadline guidelines to ensure you are approved for the semester you want to start the benefit.
  • The application process can take up to 45 business days to be fully approved.
• Both the Veteran AND the depednent must set up an account and provided the required documents to receive the official approval. 
• The student's VMSDEP account will show "application accepted" once approved. The VMSDEP office does not notify JMU of approval. 
• Follow these steps to add the term for the semester you want to start the benefit. Only one term is open at a time in the VMSDEP portal. Incoming freshmen need to wait until 7/1 to add the Fall semester. 
  • The Fall term opens on 7/1 each year.
  • The Spring term opens on 11/1 each year. 
  • The Summer term opens on 4/1 each year.
• JMU does not apply VMSDEP retroactively to semesters once a specific semester has ended. For example, In order to use VMSDEP for the Fall 2025 semester, the student must be approved by 12/12/2025. If approved after that date, the student can start VMSDEP with Spring 2026. 

Are you also eligible for the Federal VA Chapter 35 DEA benefit?

• 36 months of a monthly stipend benefit paid directly to the student
• Apply through va.gov with VA Form 22-5490 application
• Provide copy of Chapter 35 Certificate of Eligibility when it is received. Email to veteran@jmu.edu
• Can be used in conjunction with VMSDEP if eligible for both benefits

Step 2: Complete JMU Veterans Education Benefits Request form

• Complete and submit online. Must complete at one time; no save option
• We recommend completing this form with a parent if you are a military dependent
• Requires student to login with their JMU credentials and Duo authentication. 
• If also eligible for Federal Chapter 35 DEA, select "Chapter 35 and VMSDEP" for your eligible benefits on this form. 
• Completion timeline:
  • For incoming JMU students - complete after you have participated in orientation and your class schedule is set and will not change. 
  • For current JMU students - complete once upcoming class schedule is set and will not change; or complete once you are approved for VMSDEP if you already began at JMU. 
• Course applicability:
  • The VMSDEP state benefit will waive the mandatory tuition/fees for any enrolled course each semester while using it. 
  • if you are also eligible and using the Federal VA Chapter 35 benefits: enrollment in courses must meet major, GenEd, elective, or degree requirements, or an approved certificate to qualify. All programs must be declared on the transcript. Chapter 35 DEA does not cover courses not needed for graduation. 

Additional steps, if applicable:

• Request all Institutions of Higher Learning transcripts be sent directly to JMU if you've taken classes at another college, including dual enrollment. Opened transcripts will not be accepted. (Mainly pertains to undergraduate students; graduate school may require certain transcripts too)
• Submit any AP or IB scores directly to JMU (Undergraduate students)
• Apply for financial aid through the FAFSA application: Financial Aid & Scholarships - JMU

• It can take up to 45 business days for VMSDEP to process the original application. 
• JMU is not directly notified by the VMSDEP office regarding a student's VMSDEP approval. JMU only knows when a student will use VMSDEP for a semester when their name appears on our semester roster. This occurs when the student adds the upcoming term in their VMSDEP portal account. For example, a student can add the Fall 2025 term from 7/1-10/31. Only one term is open at a time. 
  • Follow the term window (Fall opens 7/1, Spring opens 11/1 and Summer opens 4/1) for adding the correct term. 
• You must be approved and have added your intended term (ex - Fall 2025) by the first week of the semester for JMU to wait on the tuition/fee waiver; otherwise, tuition/fees in addition to the room/board charges must be paid upfront to JMU. 
• Room rent, meal plan and the internet fee charges are not covered by VMSDEP. These must be paid upfront to JMU by the payment deadline each semester. 
• 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 their application deadline guidelines to ensure you are approved for the semester you want to start the benefit.

 Additional Information:

• If you are also eligible for Chapter 35, Step 2 only need to be completed once for both benefits.
• It takes roughly 6-8 weeks each semester for the VMSDEP tuition/fee waiver to be applied to student accounts. JMU will wait on this portion of the bill while a student is eligible for the benefit. All other charges, including room rent and meal plan charges, must be paid upfront to JMU by the first Friday of each semester.
• All questions regarding the application, required documents and application status should be directed to the VMSDEP office.
• VMSDEP and Financial Aid Impact: As a state veterans’ benefit, the VMSDEP will be included as a financial resource in your overall financial aid package (does not appear on the financial aid offer) and may reduce state grants, university grants or scholarships, federal loans, federal work-study, and private loans. Each financial aid offer type is different, so the benefit may affect each person's offer differently. Contact the JMU Financial Aid office with any questions: fin_aid@jmu.edu or 540-568-7820.