by Donnell Johns Sr.

They are gutting the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP) come July 1st, 2024 if we don’t do anything about it. Virginians should also contact state officials urging them to maintain the program’s original intent. This program isn’t just a benefit—it’s a tribute to the sacrifices of our veterans and their families, ensuring they receive the educational support they deserve. By signing this petition, you’re standing with Virginia’s bravest, advocating against budget cuts that could dismantle their well-earned support. Please sign now to keep our veterans’ legacy thriving through education! Let’s make it loud and clear that we back our heroes!

This is a petition for Governor Youngkin to veto line item 4-5.01#2c of the proposed Virginia Budget Amendments (HB30).

Changes are afoot for the state tuition waiver program, Virginia’s Military Survivor and Dependent Education Program (VMSDEP). Currently, Virginia dependents and survivors of veterans who are rated 90% P&T or greater, or whose service member has given the ultimate sacrifice, are eligible to waive up to 8 semesters of tuition costs at state colleges and universities. A little-noticed proposal that essentially guts the program was slipped into the ’24 state budget as an amendment. Because it has already advanced through both houses of the state, Governor Youngkin can address the situation by utilizing his line-item veto authority.

Changes include:
– The program will become a “last payer”, FAFSA will be required, and if a student receives any other aid (local, state, federal) it will be applied first. The bill specifies this includes all funding under 38 USC III. This is particularly problematic because most students who qualify for VMSDEP also qualify for Chapter 35 benefits and typically use those Chapter 35 benefits to cover housing costs.

– The above change will also be heavily impacted by “Expected Family Contribution”, an amount that is calculated through FAFSA SAI (previously EFC), ie. if your family EFC is calculated to be $12,000, you would be expected to pay $12,000 before VMSDEP waivers are applied.

-Graduate degree education would no longer be eligible for waiver. This would impact families and individuals who made strategic graduate school decisions based on VMSDEP funding.

-First bachelor’s degree only, students will be unable to “course correct” at a later life stage.

-The changes will go into effect this year, but there will be a one-year grace period (through July 2025) for those already enrolled in approved plans. This means that students who have faithfully applied to institutions this year with plans to begin attendance in the 24-25 school year will not benefit, and students who are mid-course of study, will face a major financial disruption next year.

A line-item veto will allow the state to fully study the impact of the proposed legislation and to accept public comments, before crafting a more equitable solution that benefits both the state’s education budget and the students and families who will be hit hardest by this proposal.

Reference: https://budget.lis.virginia.gov/amendment/2024/1/HB30/Introduced/CR/4-5.01/2c/

Please visit the website and sign the petition: https://lnkd.in/eU3R4xnU (https://lnkd.in/eU3R4xnU)