PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — The Virginia Senate will reconvene on Tuesday, June 18 to address changes to the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program that have been heavily criticized.
The program has allowed for tuition to be waived for up to eight semesters at public colleges or universities in the commonwealth for the children of veterans killed, missing in action, taken prisoner, or who became at least 90 percent disabled as a result of military service in an armed conflict.
Though, as 10 On Your Side’s reported, changes to the program require families of students who were not enrolled in schools by May 15 to apply for financial aid and potentially pay out of pocket before using a tuition waiver.
This latest development comes after a taskforce appointed by Gov. Youngkin on the matter held its first public meeting this week.
Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, along with members of the General Assembly Military and Veterans Committee, signed a letter in the hopes of encouraging the General Assembly to restore VMSDEP.
Senate Finance and Appropriations Chair Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) says she intends to hear legislation at the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee meeting on June 18 to:
- Clarify that all students who enroll in classes by Fall 2024 are grandfathered into the existing Program prior to the budget changes;
- Exempt from the recent budget changes Gold Star Families, applicable Line of Duty beneficiaries, and those wounded as a result of military combat who are at least 90% disabled;
- Require the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) to issue official guidance no later than August 1, 2024;
- Require the Joint Legislative and Audit Review Commission (JLARC) to review the program and make recommendations prior to the 2025 General Assembly Session; and
- Make additional technical adjustments to the state budget unrelated to the VMSDEP program.
Lucas said they’re working to correct the changes to the program made through Virginia’s budget.
“This budget was a product of bipartisan collaboration between the General Assembly and the Governor. We are committed to taking this necessary step to rectify unintended consequences as we continue to work together to conduct an independent review to find a long-term solution for VMSDEP,” Lucas said.
The Virginia House of Delegates plans to take up the issue in a special session on June 28.