Virginia veteran education benefits
Stars rate how much each state offers veterans themselves for college, training and exam fees (family-only programs don't count): 5 = free public-college tuition for most resident veterans, no disability rating needed; 3 = partial grants or narrower eligibility; 1 = little or nothing beyond federal benefits. How we rate
Excellent family program (90%+/P&T); nothing for veterans themselves.
Checked Oct 7, 2026. State benefits change often. Confirm the details with the state agency before you apply.
Verify on the official page means we could not fully confirm that detail on the agency's own page.
For veterans
No state education benefit for veterans was found beyond federal GI Bill benefits. Check with the agency below.
For spouses and children
Virginia Military Survivors & Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP)
- What it covers
- Tier 1 and 2: guaranteed waiver of all tuition and mandatory fees for 8 semesters at Virginia public colleges. Tier 2 also gets a stipend (amount set yearly by SCHEV).
- Who qualifies and limits
- Tier 1: spouse or child (16-29) of a veteran rated P&T or at least 90% permanently disabled from service. Tier 2: KIA, MIA, POW, or P&T/90%+ from combat service (incl. counter-terror ops and peacekeeping). Veteran must meet Va. Code 23.1-608 domicile (Virginia home of record at entry, or ~5 yrs presence before the dependent applies). Stepchildren only under Tier 2 (deceased member). 2026 changes were not enacted.
If you left the service 15 to 20 years ago
No state tuition benefit for veterans themselves was found. VMSDEP is strong for families of 90%+ veterans, with no time limit tied to discharge.
Who to contact
- State veterans agency
- Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS)
- State Approving Agency (approves schools and programs for the GI Bill)
- Virginia DVS State Approving Agency (GI Bill)
Sources we checked
- dvs.virginia.gov/benefits-services/education/virginia-military-survivors-dep
- dvs.virginia.gov/benefits-services/education/state-approving-agency-gi-bill
Federal benefits such as the GI Bill and VR&E are separate. See the FAQ and the GI Bill programs.