Del. Luke Torian, D-Prince William, chats with Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, during a special session on Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. The House and Senate passed legislation that repealed budget language that restricted eligibility for educational benefits for military families.
Legislation allocates $90M in additional funds to the military tuition program.
Lawmakers voted Thursday to fully repeal prior changes to the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Program that took effect July 1.
The repealed changes, initially included in the May 13 state budget, included language that would’ve required students’ income to be factored into future decisions about tuition waivers, among other considerations. For some, this could’ve meant less money overall for college.
But those changes will not go into effect now. Instead, lawmakers decided to invest an additional $90 million from a general fund surplus over the biennium — atop a prior $40-million allocation — to fully cover the cost of the program, which has historically been paid for by colleges and universities.
Senate President Pro Tempore L. Louise Lucas (D–Portsmouth) said the investments give her “comfort that we will not place the burden of the escalating costs of this program on other students through their tuition charges.” Some colleges say that’s how they’ve been funding the program: through tuition charges for other students.
Shaban Athuman
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VPM News
Del. Luke Torian, D-Prince William, laughs with Del. Terry Austin, R-Botetourt, after a House Appropriation Committee meeting during a special session on Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. The House and Senate passed legislation that repealed budget language that restricted eligibility for educational benefits for military families.
VMSDEP is one of only a few state-mandated tuition waiver programs, meaning that Virginia colleges and universities are required by law to waive tuition for prospective students that meet all eligibility criteria.
State colleges have been waiving eight semesters of college tuition for the spouses and children of disabled and deceased service members for nearly a century.
But as VPM News has previously reported, the VMSDEP program has experienced significant growth in recent years: About 6,000 students were enrolled statewide in fall 2022, up from about 1,000 a decade prior.
Nichole Campbell is a retired and disabled Air Force veteran, as is her husband. The couple has two daughters in college now benefiting from VMSDEP.
“The program allows them both to have opportunities for education that otherwise would’ve been a little bit more challenging,” Campbell told VPM News.
Last year, colleges asked the General Assembly to foot the bill for the rising cost of the program.
Shaban Athuman
/
VPM News
Victoria Lynch, of Fredericksburg, leans on her mother, Carrie, as they listen to floor comments during a special session on Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. The House and Senate passed legislation that repealed budget language that restricted eligibility for educational benefits for military families.
“The debate has not been the expense; the debate has been who is going to pay,” said Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell.
Despite the full repeal of program changes Thursday, Kayla Owen is still worried about its future. She’s the wife of a disabled veteran and cofounder of the group Friends of VMSDEP.
“What will happen in the next biennial budget? What if there are insufficient funds to draw from?”
Lawmakers have directed JLARC — the state’s independent research arm — to study the program and release a report by Sept. 1, so they can ensure VMSDEP’s long term financial sustainability.
But Owen hopes that timeline is extended.
“That’s a really tight timeline,” she said. “The concern is, with that short timeline, even if you had the best minds in the country, I don’t know that you’d be able to come up with a robust study with appropriate recommendations.”
1 of 20 — Del. Torian chats with Sen. Lucas
Del. Luke Torian, D-Prince William, chats with Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, during a special session on Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. The House and Senate passed legislation that repealed budget language that restricted eligibility for educational benefits for military families.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
2 of 20 — Sens. Hackworth and Lucas chat on the Senate floor
Sen. Travis Hackworth, R-Tazewell, chats with Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, during a special session on Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. The House and Senate passed legislation that repealed budget language that restricted eligibility for educational benefits for military families.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
3 of 20 — Del. Gilbert listens
House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, listens as Del. Tom Garrett, R-Buckingham, gives remarks on the house floor during a special session on Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. The House and Senate passed legislation that repealed budget language that restricted eligibility for educational benefits for military families.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
4 of 20 — Del. Herring gives remarks
House Majority Leader Charniele Herring, D-Alexandria, gives remarks during a special session on Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. The House and Senate passed legislation that repealed budget language that restricted eligibility for educational benefits for military families.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
5 of 20 — Sens. Lucas and Locke listen as Sen. Stuart makes remarks
Sen. Richard Stuart, R-King George, gives remarks as Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, and Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, listens during a special session on Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. The House and Senate passed legislation that repealed budget language that restricted eligibility for educational benefits for military families.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
6 of 20 — Sens. Stuart and Obenshain chat
Sen. Richard Stuart, R-King George, chats with Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Rockingham, during a special session on Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. The House and Senate passed legislation that repealed budget language that restricted eligibility for educational benefits for military families.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
7 of 20 — Victoria and Carrie lean on each other as their arms are linked
Victoria Lynch, of Fredericksburg, leans on her mother, Carrie, as they listen to floor comments during a special session on Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. The House and Senate passed legislation that repealed budget language that restricted eligibility for educational benefits for military families.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
8 of 20 — The Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee meets
The Senate Finance and Appropriations, Chaired by Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, center, meets during a special session on Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. The House and Senate passed legislation that repealed budget language that restricted eligibility for educational benefits for military families.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
9 of 20 — Sen. Lucas talks on the phone as Sens. Locke and Favola chat
Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, calls Speaker of the House Don Scott Jr., D-Portsmouth, on the phone as Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, chats with Sen. Barbara Favola, D-Arlington, during a special session on Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. The House and Senate passed legislation that repealed budget language that restricted eligibility for educational benefits for military families.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
10 of 20 — Sen. Lucas and Del. Torian chat at the door to the House
Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, chats with Del. Luke Torian, D-Prince William, after house bill 6004 passed in the Senate Finance and Appropriation Committee during a special session on Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. The legislation repealed budget language that restricted eligibility for educational benefits for military families.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
11 of 20 — Del. Torian arrvies for a committee hearing
Del. Luke Torian, D-Prince William, arrives for a House Appropriations Committee, of which he chairs, meeting during a special session on Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. The House and Senate passed legislation that repealed budget language that restricted eligibility for educational benefits for military families.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
12 of 20 — Dels. Torian and Austin share a laugh in front of their picture
Del. Luke Torian, D-Prince William, laughs with Del. Terry Austin, R-Botetourt, after a House Appropriation Committee meeting during a special session on Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. The House and Senate passed legislation that repealed budget language that restricted eligibility for educational benefits for military families.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
13 of 20 — Sen Peake laughs while chatting with Sens. Lucas and Locke
Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, laughs as he chats with Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, left, and Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, during a special session on Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. The House and Senate passed legislation that repealed budget language that restricted eligibility for educational benefits for military families.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
14 of 20 — Sen. Rouse gives remarks as member of the gallery loook on
Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, gives remarks as families listens from the gallery during a special session on Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. The House and Senate passed legislation that repealed budget language that restricted eligibility for educational benefits for military families.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
15 of 20 — Lewis and McGinnis sign a picture
Donna Lewis, left, signs a picture with Kristy McGinnis after a special session on Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. The House and Senate passed legislation that repealed budget language that restricted eligibility for educational benefits for military families.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
16 of 20 — Sen. Lucas holds her chest as Sen. Locke holds her arm
Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, holds her chest as Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, comforts her during a special session on Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. The House and Senate passed legislation that repealed budget language that restricted eligibility for educational benefits for military families.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
17 of 20 — Sen. Lucas holds her chest as Sen. Stuart pats her on her back
Sen. Richard Stuart, R-King George, pats Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, on her shoulder after a special session on Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. The House and Senate passed legislation that repealed budget language that restricted eligibility for educational benefits for military families.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
18 of 20 — Sen. Lucas wipes appearent tears
Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, dabs her eyes with a tissue following a special session on Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. The House and Senate passed legislation that repealed budget language that restricted eligibility for educational benefits for military families.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
19 of 20 — Sens. Peake and Marsden walk out the senate
Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, walks out of the senate with Sen. David Marsden, D-Fairfax, following a special session on Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. The House and Senate passed legislation that repealed budget language that restricted eligibility for educational benefits for military families.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
20 of 20 — Nichole laughs with her daugter Leila
Nichole Campbell, Bristow, shares a moment with her daughter, Leila, after attending a special session on Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. The House and Senate passed legislation that repealed budget language that restricted eligibility for educational benefits for military families.
Through ICE arrests, criminal investigations, firings and executive orders, the president has launched a sweeping campaign of retribution. One judge called his actions "a shocking abuse of power."
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