Rising Costs Spur Action on Virginia Military Tuition Program

A House Education subcommittee on Monday advanced a bill requiring public colleges and universities in Virginia to report the number of beneficiaries eligible for the state’s tuition program for military spouses and dependents.

The Virginia state Capitol in Richmond on Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo by Markus Schmidt/Virginia Mercury)

The legislation, now headed to the House Appropriations Committee, stems from a recent review of the Virginia Military Survivors & Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP) by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC). Among JLARC’s key recommendations were increased reporting requirements ensuring “sufficient general funds to cover 100% of institutions’ forgone revenue.”

JLARC review of VMSDEP: No evidence of peak or decline in participation levels

The move comes as lawmakers grapple with rising program costs, debates over eligibility, and calls for additional funding — issues that have been under discussion since the last legislative session.

VMSDEP, which provides college tuition waivers for spouses or children of permanently disabled military veterans or those killed in action, has seen its cost skyrocket — from $19 million annually in 2019 to over $65 million in 2023, according to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).

“VMSDEP and the issues surrounding it have been at the top of mind for many of us coming out of last session and this year,” said Del. Alex Askew, D-Virginia Beach, during Monday’s House Education’s subcommittee meeting. “After seeing the JLARC report, they added more than a few recommendations for this program.”

Askew’s House Bill 1694 aims to address some of the program’s rising costs by clarifying eligibility criteria across the commonwealth.

The measure would also require the Virginia Department of Veterans Services and the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV) to provide lawmakers with detailed data on VMSDEP. This includes the number of eligible survivors and dependents who qualify for tuition and mandatory fee waivers at public colleges and universities but have not yet enrolled.

The legislation further mandates the two agencies to provide “the best” available estimate of how many qualified beneficiaries are currently enrolled at each public higher education institution as of Nov. 1 during the fall semester.

“This bill represents a step in the right direction toward a timely and accurate accounting of the VMSDEP program,” wrote Kayla Owen, co-founder of Friends of VMSDEP, on social media. “We hope this is one of many steps taken toward ensuring an accurate and auditable accounting system for the program.”

According to the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget, the bill is not expected to have a fiscal impact on state agencies. However, Veterans Services and SCHEV may experience a “minor and absorbable” administrative burden.

The legislation advanced without comment from committee members or the public.

Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Virginia Mercury maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Samantha Willis for questions: info@virginiamercury.com.