Preserving VMSDEP Task Force

The Preserving VMSDEP Task Force met on Thursday, October 17, 2024 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond, with a virtual option.

Following opening comments by Task Force Co-Chairs The Honorable Craig C. Crenshaw, Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs and The Honorable Aimee R. Guidera, Secretary of Education, the Task Force received presentations by Meredith Deck of The Elizabeth Dole Foundation and by Justin Brown, Senior Associate Director of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC).

Governor Glenn Youngkin Releases Statement on Signing VMSDEP Bill.

Bill repeals eligibility changes made to the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP) and other tuition waiver programs.

Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces Agreement from Colleges and Universities to Protect Veteran Benefits Ahead of July 18 Vote

Governor Glenn Youngkin releases statement on Senate Democrat Failure to Pass Bipartisan VMSDEP Bill.

Governor Glenn Youngkin Releases Statement after the House of Delegates passes HB 6003, a clean, full, repeal of the eligibility changes recently made to the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP).

The Preserving VMSDEP Task Force met on Monday, June 10 at the Virginia War Memorial. View the meeting recording.

Materials for the June 10 meeting may be found below.

Preserving VMSDEP Task Force Meeting Agenda 2024-6-10

ED-7 Addressing Changes to the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program 2024-5-15

House Appropriations Committee Staff Higher Education Update 2024-5-28

VMSDEP Case Study and Push for Raising the Eight Semester Cap on Benefits

The purpose of the Preserving VMSDEP Task Force is to review the General Assembly’s recent changes to VMSDEP and to help inform the development of guidance and other materials that minimize the impact on military and veteran families to the greatest extent possible. Additionally, the Task Force will consider further program changes and provide recommendations to address any unintended consequences of the reforms recently passed by the General Assembly.

Public Meeting

The Preserving VMSDEP Task Force’s first meeting was held on June 10th at the Virginia War Memorial from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. After opening remarks and staff presentations on the program and changes enacted in the budget, the Task Force took in-person public comment. Public comment was reserved from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Due to technical constrains, public comment at this meeting limited to in-person attendees, anyone who would like to submit written public comment is encouraged to do so by sending it to PreservingVMSDEP@governor.virginia.gov through July 15, 2024.

In-Person Public Comment

Individuals who would like to present in-person public comment at the Task Force’s meeting on June 10th must register by sending an email message to PreservingVMSDEP@governor.virginia.gov by no later than noon on June 7, 2024. The message should include the presenter’s name, contact information, and the general message the individual plans to present. Speakers will be called on a first-come, first-served basis based on the date and time we receive the request. Each individual is limited to three minutes to allow as many commenters as possible. We will notify speakers if they are confirmed to provide in-person public comment.

Changes to the benefits available through the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP) were included in the Appropriation Act for State Fiscal Years 2025 (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025) and 2026 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026) that was approved on May 13.

Governor Glenn Youngkin and the members of his administration, including the Department of Veterans Services, share your concerns about the changes to VMSDEP.

On May 15, Governor Youngkin issued Executive Directive Seven (ED7) – “Addressing Changes to the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program.”

The purpose of Executive Directive 7 is to (1) create a stakeholder-driven task force to review the General Assembly’s recent program eligibility changes to VMSDEP; (2) to help inform the development of guidance and other materials that minimize the impact on military and veteran families to the greatest extent possible; and (3) to consider further program changes and recommendations to address any unintended consequences of the reforms recently passed by the General Assembly.” 

The Preserving VMSDEP Task Force will be co-chaired by the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs and include the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), the Department of Veterans Services, members of the Virginia General Assembly, veteran-connected groups to include Gold Star and Veteran Families, representatives of Virginia’s public colleges and universities, and other stakeholders.  All groups, especially those connected with and dependent on the VMSDEP program, will be represented and heard.   

Our Governor and Secretary-level leaders share the commitment to address a better way forward for this program.  The Department of Veterans Services will provide updates as additional information becomes available.