Chapter 35, Fry Scholarship, VMSDEP: Dependents of Disabled Veterans
Steps to Utilize Benefits
The information below outlines the steps you will need to complete to begin utilizing Dependent education benefits.
Step 1: Apply for Benefits
To utilize the Chapter 35 Dependent Education Assistance (DEA) Program, the student must apply for the benefit. Go to va.gov, select "Apply for Education Benefits" then answer the questions under "Find your Education Benefits Form". You will be routed to form 22-5490. Complete this form and submit. The VA will process your request in about 30-45 days. When applying, make sure to give the VA your banking information for direct deposit, provide a good mailing address for the VA to send a COE, list Virginia Tech as your place of attendance, and list your intended major if known.
Step 2: Submit COE to Virginia Tech
The dependent will receive in the mail a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). The COE will be mailed after the application is processed online. Once you receive your COE, please send a copy of this letter to the Office of Veterans Services by mail, email, or in-person.
Step 3: Register for Classes
Most new freshman and transfer students will register for classes during summer orientation. Be sure to register only for classes that are required for your degree. The VA will not pay for classes that are not required!
Step 4: Complete VA Enrollment Certification Form
The "VA Enrollment Certification Form" is an online form found on the student's Hokie Spa. After registering for classes, complete and submit this form to use VA benefits. This form must be completed every semester a student wants to utilize benefits, and must be redone within 7 days of every change of enrollment, i.e., add, drop, or withdrawal during the semester. Benefits will not be certified if this form is not completed. We urge students to complete this form at least 21 days prior to the semester bill due date!
Two Main VA Programs
There are two main VA programs offering education assistance to survivors and dependents of veterans:
- The Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) Program (Chapter 35) offers education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans. For a dependent to qualify, eligibility is based on veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.
- The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship) is available for children and spouses of service members who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001.
You may be eligible for more than one of these (federal) programs. In most situations, you will be required to make an irrevocable election between the DEA program and Fry Scholarship when you apply. Additionally, if you are a Virginia resident, please review your eligibility for the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependent Education Program (VMSDEP) prior to making your decision. See information below.
Chapter 35 Payment Info
- Chapter 35 payments are made directly to the student and based on level of enrollment (i.e. full-time vs. part-time). View current payment rates. View Virginia Tech enrollment status by credit hours.
- Since this program provides a monthly amount paid to the student directly, students will be required to pay all tuition, fees, housing, and meals charges (if living on campus) by the bill due date. If charges are not paid by the bill due date, the student will be subject to late fees and holds. There is a payment plan available through the Bursar’s office called the Budget Tuition Plan.
Fry Scholarship Payment Info
- The Fry scholarship provides: in-state tuition and fee costs, monthly housing allowances (BAH), and a books and supplies stipend. Please review the VA website for details.
Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP)
The 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.
The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (VDVS) is responsible for managing the program and collaborates with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and Virginia’s public colleges and universities to assist survivors and dependents of qualified Veterans or Service members in attaining their educational goals.
Benefits are available for up to eight semesters, the equivalent of four academic years.
Using VMSDEP at Virginia Tech
VMSDEP provides a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees*, which are defined as those required for enrollment and attendance at Virginia Tech. These include the mandatory fees listed in the Description of Fees, which include comprehensive fees, supplemental fees, lab fees, course fees, and Corps of Cadets fees (for students enrolled in the Corps).**
Items not included with mandatory tuition and fees are costs related to housing, dining plans, Flex Dollars, medical clinic fees, study abroad program expenses (such as deposits, housing, airfare and other study abroad specific fees), late fees, finance charges, and Corps of Cadets activity and Tailor Shop fees (for Corps of Cadets students). These charges not covered by VMSDEP must be paid in accordance with the Virginia Tech billing schedule.
*These fees are subject to review based on changes by the University when updating Tuition and Fee charts.
**For a detailed breakdown, refer to the university’s official Description of Fees.