Education

The Military Education and Workforce Initiative (MEWI) assists veterans and service members with their transition from active duty to civilian life.

MEWI enhances employment opportunities for Virginians who have served in the United States Military, and their spouses, by providing a pathway to education, training, certifications, and technology.

The Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP) is a Commonwealth of Virginia program that provides education benefits to spouses and children of qualifying veterans who have been rated by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) as totally and permanently disabled or at least 90 percent permanently disabled as a result of military service or qualifying military service members killed, missing in action, taken prisoner, or who have been rated by the USDVA as totally and permanently disabled or at least 90 percent permanently disabled as a direct result of involvement in covered military combat. Military service includes the United States Armed Forces, United States Armed Forces Reserves, or the Virginia National Guard. VMSDEP assists survivors and dependents of qualified veterans or service members in attaining their educational goals.

The Virginia State Approving Agency (SAA) validates and approves education and training courses and programs to be pursued by veterans and eligible persons. The SAA oversees Virginia's educational and training institutions and ensures compliance with federal and state guidelines. The SAA protects veterans and schools from fraud, waste, and abuse.