Many Virginia veterans celebrate as military education benefit program restored

Two months after lawmakers passed the commonwealth's biennial budget containing changes to its tuition assistance program for some military families, legislators reconvened at the Capitol Thursday and passed legislation fully reinstating the program.

Representatives from Veterans of Foreign Wars attended the session and extolled the outcome afterward.

“Today ends over two months of uncertainty and anxiety endured by the families of our fallen and disabled military personnel and first responders.” said Mitch Rubenstein, state commander of the VFW Department of Virginia. “Today’s actions keep the promises Virginia made to our fallen and disabled military personnel, first responders and their families.”

The Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program rewards military service by covering tuition costs and fees for the families of qualifying Virginia veterans, both for undergraduate and graduate degrees. But higher education had complained to some General Assembly members of skyrocketing costs after the state had engaged in a concerted effort to grow the program, so last-minute cuts – including the elimination of assistance for graduate degrees, updated residency and academic requirements, and a stipulation that those applying for the program seek other forms of aid first – were added to the state budget just before it passed.

It was later revealed that the changes also affected waiver programs for some of the commonwealth’s first responders.

The governor and some legislators quickly moved to remedy the situation after military families and advocates began to express their shock and dismay over an altered program that many had come to count on after enduring the loss or injury of a loved one. However, Democrats in Senate Finance and Appropriations held out that a full repeal of the changes would make the program unsustainable and emphasized the importance of finding a “long-term solution.”

"Senate Democrats are proud to support Virginia's commitment to becoming the most veteran-friendly state in America,” said Majority Leader Sen. Scott Surovell in June. “We look forward to working with Governor Youngkin and the House of Delegates to examine modifications to the VMSDEP program to ensure its long-term viability.”

However, the pressure to fully restore the program was too great for the Senate money committee to remain the only holdout.

Many took to social media to celebrate Thursday’s outcome after previous reconvened sessions, a task force meeting and a work group were unable to get the job done.

“Our veterans, Gold Star families, and first responders have given more than many, and it is imperative that the Commonwealth keep its promise to provide education benefits to those who are eligible,” wrote Del. Mike Cherry, R-Colonial Heights. Cherry was one of the delegates who helped put together a full repeal bill in the House.

“Today we voted to stand with our veterans and their families and restore VMSDEP,” wrote Mark Earley, R-Chesterfield. “While it should not have taken this long or been such an ordeal, I’m glad we got it done.”

While Republicans seemed thankful for the full restoration of the program, Democrats expressed gratitude for a short-term resolution but hinted that the program is ultimately in need of revision.

“We've secured a crucial win for our veterans, guaranteeing their families the educational support they've rightfully earned. This marks a significant leap forward, but let's be clear-our mission is far from over,” said Senate Democrats in a statement. “We're steadfast in our pursuit of enduring solutions to keep the VMSDEP program strong.”

Rubenstein didn’t preclude the possibility of discussing some changes but voiced what many military advocates said throughout this process: They needed to be part of the conversation.

“I understand that some legislators believe changes need to be made to ensure the long-term viability of this program. We ask that the VFW and other veterans' service organizations, first responders' groups and families be included in the process,” Rubenstein said.

Sen. Glenn Sturtevant, R-Colonial Heights, was jubilant over Thursday’s results but doesn’t trust efforts to modify the program.

“Victory for Veterans’ Benefits today!” Sturtevant wrote on X. “But the fight has only just begun… Those who are okay spending millions on huge DEI Departments and tuition for Illegal Aliens are offended by covering school costs for Gold Star Families. But we will fight and win!”