WAVY.com

Tyler Englander

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — They were hurt serving our country and now they say Virginia is turning its back on them. 

We’re talking about military veterans permanently disabled due to their military service. 


They say language in the state budget that is currently sitting on Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s desk would change how a college tuition waiver program for families of totally or near-totally disabled veterans is run. 

“I have to go to my kids now and tell them, ‘We got to make some changes,’” said Christian Soldat, a 100% disabled Army Veteran, of these possible changes to the program. “’I got to figure out how I’m going to get your education at the higher education level.’”

The program is called the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP).

According to the program’s website, spouses or children of veterans with a “totally and permanently disabled” rating or at least a 90% rating can receive a tuition waiver for up to 8 semesters at a Virginia public college or university. 

All that’s required is proof of military service, presence in Virginia, disability and dependency. 

However, language buried in the state budget passed by the General Assembly and currently on Youngkin’s desk could change that. 

The language says “individuals eligible for any financial aid waivers” in certain programs, including VMSDEP, shall be granted waivers after the following:

Soldat said these changes are not right. 

“We are telling veterans that have ultimately given their youth, given their bodies to the security of the nation, ‘Thank you for what you have done, but we don’t want to be the first in line to thank you for that,'” he said. “‘We want to be the last in line.'”

The system as it is, prior to any changes the budget could make, provided his family with a degree of security, according to Soldat.

“At least I [could] look at my son in the eyes, my daughter in the eyes, [and] say, ‘Your father served his country honorably and proudly and, because I did that and because I was injured in that service, there are certain things I can’t do and I’m sorry that I can’t — But one thing I can do for you is give you a great education,'” Soldat said.

Youngkin has until April 8th to amend the state’s budget for the General Assembly to consider. He could also use his line-item veto power to get rid of the language once the General Assembly returns the budget to him. 

A spokesperson for Youngkin said, “The Governor continues to thoroughly review the conference report sent to his desk and will act on this legislation by the April 8 deadline.”

8News reached out to House Appropriations Committee Chair Delegate Luke Torian (D-Prince William) and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee Chair Senator Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) to ask them why this language was included in the budget. 8News has not received a response from Lucas’ office, but Torian’s office responded with the following statement:

“This language was added to align the program with other Commonwealth’s current financial aid programs (e.g., the Virginia Guaranteed Assistance program, the Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back (G3) and the Virginia Commonwealth Award). Under the new language students will have to apply for FASFA, however, it does not require them to exhaust all the federal assistance before the benefit kicks in.

The VMSDEP will administer aid proportionally to the amount of federal and state aid already applied to the student’s full tuition and fees.  This is a basic principle of other state financial aid programs where aid is limited to not exceed tuition and fees after applying other gift aid and expected family contribution (EFC).  Also, by completing a FAFSA, we can ensure that the student avails themselves of all federal aid for which they may be entitled.

The budget language also requires the student applicant to establish domicile in the Commonwealth of Virginia and limits the award to a certificate or associate degree at a public two-year institution or a certificate or first bachelor’s degree at a public four-year institution of higher education. Like other financial aid programs, awards are limited to no more than four years or its equivalent.  The language does establish a one-year grace period before these requirements go into effect.

The new language is intended to make the program sustainable and maintain its viability in light of the exponential growth that has occurred since program eligibility was expanded five years ago.  In 2019, the program lost revenue cost was about $12 million and  SCHEV, under the VMSDEP current structure, estimates the program will likely grow to over $190 million by 2026. As with other waiver programs, those lost revenue costs are borne by other students.  The hope is these reforms will allow students to continue to benefit from the program for years to come.”

House Appropriations Committee Chair, Del. Luke Torian (D-Prince William)