If you have received the Federal Chapter 35 DEA benefit at another college or university, you will need to complete the following steps to use it at James Madison University:

Chapter 35 Brochure - find estimations for monthly stipends on page 3

Step 1: Provide copy of Chapter 35 Certificate of Eligibility (COE) via email to veteran@jmu.edu:

• Provide original Certificate of Eligibility. Please confirm remaining entitlement with VA by calling 1-888-442-4551; or
• Complete VA Form 22-5495 Request for Change of Program or Place of Training online through va.gov to receive an updated Certificate of Eligibility.
  
  • VA will mail an updated copy to the home address in roughly 30 days
  • You can use this application to update address, phone number, bank account, etc. as we

• Are you also eligible for the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependent Education Program benefit (VMSDEP)?
  • Add the upcoming semester (when the term is available) to your VMSDEP account if already approved
    • Fall terms opens July 1st and Spring terms open on November 1st each year
  • Make sure James Madison University is listed as your school for the upcoming term
  • If you are not approved yet, apply as soon as possible. 

Step 2: Complete JMU Veterans Education Benefits Request form

• Complete and submit online. Must complete at one time; no save option. 
• Requires student to login with their JMU credentials and authentication. 
• If eligible for both Chapter 35 and VMSDEP, select "Chapter 35 and VMSDEP" option when selecting benefits; otherwise select "Chapter 35 only" if not eligible for VMSDEP.
• Complete after you have participated in orientation and/or finalized your upcoming semester schedule
  • For incoming JMU students - complete after you have participated in orientation and your class schedule is set and will not change. 
  • For current JMU students - complete once upcoming class schedule is set and will not change. 
• For Federal VA benefit Chapter 35 DEA: enrollment in courses must meet major, general education, elective, or degree requirements, or an approved certificate to qualify. All programs must be declared on the transcript.
  • Your Chapter 35 benefit will not cover you to take a class you already have credit or solely to reach fulltime status.
  • The JMU Veteran Education Benefits Request form is required every semester benefits are requested. 
  • After your 1st semester using your benefits, the JMU Request form will be emailed to you after registering for the upcoming semester. 
  • If you are also eligible for and using the State VMSDEP benefit, it will waive the mandatory tuition/fees for the courses listed on your class schedule. 

Additional actions, as applicable:

• Submit all prior credit transcripts and AP/IB scores, official copies sent directly to JMU. All sources of credit must be evaluated. Do not enroll in a course you may receive credit as it could impact your benefits if it is discovered you did receive credit for a course taken at JMU. 
• If you are getting an Associate's degree from a VCCS school, make sure the degree is posted before sending in the transcript
• Notify us if out of state for tuition to see if you qualify for the Choice Act
• Apply for financial aid through the FAFSA - Financial Aid & Scholarships - JMU

What happens after submitting all required documents for the upcoming semester?

Once all required documents are required, JMU's School Certifying Official will submit a student's semester enrollment to VA starting approximately one month prior to the start of the semester/term. Within 6-8 weeks of submission, VA will generate and mail an active award benefit letter to the student. 

Monthly payments are mailed to the spouse or dependent's address or direct deposited to the provided bank account in the original application. Monthly payments are paid in arrears. 

Semester bills:

• All JMU charges must be paid upfront by the University deadline each semester. 
• If you also eligible for VMSDEP, that may be factored in to cover the tuition and comprehensive fee charges only (and any course fees, tuition differential fees and orientation fee). 
• Room rent, meal plan and internet fee charges must be covered upfront each semester if eligible for both Chapter 35 and VMSDEP.